March 9, 2020 - Bay District Schools

March 9, 2020
​At this time, neither the Department of Health nor the Governor's Office has directed us to
close schools as a result of COVID-19. We understand there's heightened awareness in the
community given the documented cases in Okaloosa and Santa Rosa counties but, to date,
the DOH is not aware of any positive test results in Bay County. Our schools are preparing
for a closure just in case (we would rather be over prepared than under prepared) and we're
brainstorming ways to deliver lessons on paper and electronically (via DOJO, Chromebooks
and other online tools).

The experts agree that regular hand washing is one of the very best ways to prevent the spread
of COVID-19. We've deployed posters and videos to our schools to help underscore the
importance of hand washing with our students and we are in close contact with the DOH and
CDC. We’re sharing many of their resources with our schools, our parents and our students via
social media and PeachJar email delivery
(​https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/index.html​).

In the meantime, we know that some parents are looking for other options when it comes to
schooling their children. Please be reminded that each child is eligible for up to five days of
excused family leave (forms available at your child's school) and, of course, sick children are
always excused from school. If you choose to keep your child at home for an extended period
of time, you’ll need to complete the withdrawal process and then you can enroll in the home
school program (​http://www.bay.k12.fl.us/home-school​).

At this time, neither the DOH nor the Governor's Office is calling for automatic quarantining of
those who have traveled on cruises or out of state. We are aware, however, that many parents
have concerns about travel and we encourage you to follow the DOH and CDC to make the right
decisions for your family. We do ask that you carefully monitor your child's health following any
Spring Break trips and that you seek medical attention for anyone with the symptoms of
COVID-19 (​https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/COVID19-symptoms.pdf​).

We know this is a concerning time for many people in our community and we are doing our best
to stay calm, to follow all of the guidelines from the DOH and CDC and to also plan for several
worst-case scenarios. We are very grateful that medical professionals seem to agree that
COVID-19 is rare in children but we remain vigilant and committed to doing what we can to

prevent the spread of any influenza in our community
(​https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/specific-groups/children-faq.html​).

We appreciate your support, understanding and partnership as we all seek to do what's best
for our children.​update from the Florida Department of Health can be found at:
http://www.floridahealth.go

You can find more updated information for Florida from the Department of Health at
http://www.floridahealth.gov/diseases-and-conditions/COVID-19/index.html​.

En este momento, ni el Departamento de Salud ni la Oficina del Gobernador nos han ordenado cerrar
las escuelas como resultado de COVID-19. Entendemos que existe una mayor conciencia en la
comunidad dados los casos documentados en los condados de Okaloosa y Santa Rosa, pero, hasta
la fecha, el DOH no tiene conocimiento de ningún resultado positivo en Bay County. Nuestras
escuelas se están preparando para un cierre por si acaso (preferimos estar demasiado preparados
que mal preparados) y estamos pensando en formas de impartir lecciones en papel y
electrónicamente (a través de DOJO, Chromebooks y otras herramientas en línea).

​Los expertos coinciden en que lavarse las manos regularmente es una de las mejores maneras de
prevenir la propagación de COVID-19. Hemos desplegado posters y videos en nuestras escuelas
para ayudar a subrayar la importancia del lavado de manos con nuestros estudiantes y estamos en
contacto cercano con el DOH y los CDC. Estamos compartiendo muchos de sus recursos con
nuestras escuelas, nuestros padres y nuestros estudiantes a través de las redes sociales y la
entrega por correo electrónico de PeachJar
(​https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/index.html​).

Mientras tanto, sabemos que algunos padres están buscando otras opciones cuando se trata de
educar a sus hijos. Recuerde que cada niño es elegible para hasta cinco días de ausencia familiar
justificada (formularios disponibles en la escuela de su hijo) y, por supuesto, los niños enfermos
siempre están exentos de la escuela. Si elige mantener a su hijo en casa durante un período
prolongado de tiempo, deberá completar el proceso de retiro y luego puede inscribirse en el
programa de la escuela de en casa ((​http://www.bay.k12.fl.us/home-school​).

En este momento, ni el DOH ni la Oficina del Gobernador están pidiendo la cuarentena automática
de aquellos que han viajado en cruceros o fuera del estado. Sin embargo, somos conscientes de que

muchos padres tienen inquietudes sobre los viajes y lo alentamos a que siga el DOH y los CDC para
tomar las decisiones correctas para su familia. Le pedimos que controle cuidadosamente la salud
de su hijo después de cualquier viaje de vacaciones de primavera y que busque atención médica
para cualquier persona con los síntomas de COVID-19
(​https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/COVID19-symptoms.pdf​).

Sabemos que este es un momento preocupante para muchas personas en nuestra comunidad y
estamos haciendo todo lo posible para mantener la calma, seguir todas las pautas del DOH y los
CDC y también para planificar varios de los peores escenarios. Estamos muy agradecidos de que
los profesionales médicos parecen estar de acuerdo en que COVID-19 es raro en los niños, pero
seguimos vigilantes y comprometidos a hacer todo lo posible para prevenir la propagación de
cualquier influenza en nuestra comunidad
(​https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/specific-groups/children-faq.html​).

Apreciamos su apoyo, comprensión y colaboración, ya que todos buscamos hacer lo mejor
para nuestros hijos.

March 9, 2020
FROM SUPERINTENDENT HUSFELT​: “The safety of our students will always be our number one
priority. This morning, the Florida Department of Health issued a travel advisory calling for all of
those returning from international travel to ‘self-isolate’ for 14 days. We immediately called a
leadership team meeting to brainstorm implementation of the DOH advisory since our Spring
Break begins in just a week. Several hours after we put our plans into motion, with the full
cooperation of union leaders, the DOH revised their guidance to say that that those returning
from international travel should ‘limit their interactions with others.’ Since school employees
and students cannot do that within the confines of the traditional school campus, we are
standing by the initial guidance from the FLDOH regarding ‘self-isolation’ for those returning
from international travel. It is simply impossible for school students or staff to ‘limit their
interactions with others’ so self-isolation seems to be the only logical option. The safety of the
students AND employees in our schools is our priority and we’re doing all we can to follow the
guidelines of both the FL DOH and the CDC when it comes to preventing the spread of
COVID-19. We do not make these decisions lightly, and we know that they come at some
inconvenience to students, their families and our employees, but we are committed to doing all
we can to ensure the safety of every member of the Bay District Schools family.”

Please see below for specific instructions sent out today regarding students and employees
who are returning from, or those who are planning, international travel:

EMPLOYEES

Today, the Department of Health issued an I​nternational Travel Advisory. The Florida
Department of Health is advising all individuals who have traveled internationally to self-isolate
for 14 days following their date of return to the United States.

We are obligated to follow the directives of the Department of Health regarding the COVID-19
Virus. Our primary concern is always for the safety and well-being of our students, staff and
community.

Any Bay District School employee who has returned from an international trip within the last 14
days, including cruises, should adhere to the DOH advisory and not report to work during the
required 14 day self-isolation period. Those employees will be on paid administrative leave
(leave with pay) during the self-isolation period.

Any employee who travels internationally in the future, will be required to adhere to the 14-day
self-isolation period before returning to work. ​Employees who decide to continue with their
international travel plans MUST use accumulated sick leave or unpaid leave during the
self-isolation period.​ Please make your future travel plans accordingly.

Information regarding the Department of Health directive can be found at this link:
http://www.floridahealth.gov/newsroom/2020/03/030920-department-health-covid19-update
.pr.html

If you have questions, please email b
                                    ​ akersy@bay.k12.fl.us​.

STUDENTS

Today, the Florida Department of Health is advising all individuals who have traveled
internationally to self-isolate for 14 days following their return to the United States.

Based upon this advisory notice from the Florida Department of Health, Bay District Schools will
be following their guidance and expects all of our students to follow this directive. These
advisories are fluid and subject to change based upon new information received. Please know
that Bay District Schools will notify you of changes that affect us.

All students who have returned from international travel during the past 14 days are expected to
begin self-isolation immediately.

Students with upcoming international travel plans will also be expected to follow all guidelines
and self-isolate for 14 days upon their return date to the USA.

If the Florida Department of Health updates or changes any advisories, then all students are
expected to follow them as well. Please stay updated by following their website
http://www.floridahealth.gov/newsroom/2020/03/030920-department-health-covid19-update
.pr.html

Parents of any students who must self-isolate based upon the advisory from Florida
Department of Health should contact their principal to receive assignments to be
completed during this period of self-isolation.

DEL SUPERINTENDENTE HUSFELT: “La seguridad de nuestros estudiantes siempre será
nuestra prioridad número uno. Esta mañana, el Departamento de Salud de Florida emitió un
aviso de viaje llamando a todos los que regresan de viajes internacionales a "auto-aislarse"
durante 14 días. Inmediatamente convocamos a una reunión del equipo de liderazgo para
intercambiar ideas sobre la implementación del aviso del DOH, ya que nuestras vacaciones
de Primavera (Spring Break)comienzan en solo una semana. Varias horas después de que
pusimos en marcha nuestros planes, con la plena cooperación de los líderes sindicales, el
DOH revisó su guía para decir que aquellos que regresan de viajes internacionales deberían
'limitar sus interacciones con los demás'. Dado que los empleados y los estudiantes de la
escuela no pueden hacer eso dentro de los límites del campus de la escuela tradicional,
estamos a la altura de la guía inicial del FLDOH con respecto al 'auto-aislamiento' para
aquellos que regresan de viajes internacionales. Es simplemente imposible para los
estudiantes o el personal de la escuela "limitar sus interacciones con los demás", por lo que
el auto-aislamiento parece ser la única opción lógica. La seguridad de los estudiantes y
empleados en nuestras escuelas es nuestra prioridad y estamos haciendo todo lo posible

para seguir las pautas tanto de FL DOH como de CDC a la hora de prevenir la propagación
de COVID-19. No tomamos estas decisiones a la ligera, y sabemos que son un
inconveniente para los estudiantes, sus familias y nuestros empleados, pero estamos
comprometidos a hacer todo lo posible para garantizar la seguridad de cada miembro de la
familia de Bay District Schools".