Shaler Area School District

1800 Mt. Royal Boulevard, Glenshaw, PA 15116 Ÿ412.492.1200 x2834 Ÿwww.sasd.k12.pa.us

Sean C. Aiken, MSEd Superintendent of Schools

Bryan E. O’Black, Ed.D Assistant Superintendent

Kathleen R. Graczyk, Ed.D Director of Student Services

Sherri L. Ludwig, CPA Director of Business Affairs

March 5, 2020

Dear Shaler Area parents/guardians,

The health, safety, and security of our students and staff is our top priority, and with the recent media attention regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19), we want to reassure our families of our attention to preventative measures in the schools and remind students and families of the preventative steps they should be practicing.

It is important to note that to date, there have been only a small number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the United States, and no confirmed cases in Pennsylvania. As a school district, we are monitoring the situation as it develops and taking guidance from the Pennsylvania Department of Health and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. At the building level, we have initiated more intensive cleaning procedures with a focus on high traffic areas such as desks, lunch tables, door knobs, and handrails. This will continue through the end of the school year. Furthermore, we are working to install additional hand sanitizing stations throughout the district.

The symptoms of COVID-19 include a fever, cough, and shortness of breath. The CDC offers some tips on its website for the prevention of this and other respiratory diseases including:

·	Washing your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds;
·	Avoiding touching your face, especially your eyes, nose, and mouth;
·	Covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throwing the tissue in the trash; alternatively, covering your cough or sneeze with your elbow when is tissue is not available;
·	Staying home when you are sick.

Our teachers, school nurses, and staff are working carefully to encourage these simple and effective habits with our students in school, and we ask that you also encourage these practices at home. Please remember that students who are sick should not attend school. Students need to be fever-free for 24 hours without medication before returning to school. While we value school attendance in the education of our students, it is more important to keep students home when they are ill.

If you have specific questions or concerns regarding this issue, please reach out to your building principal, school nurse, or health care provider. Thank you for your support and cooperation as we work together to provide a healthy and safe learning environment for our students and staff.

Sincerely,

Mr. Sean C. Aiken Superintendent of Schools