ROCK SPRINGS– Sweetwater County School District #1 has issued a statement detailing the preventative steps the district is taking to keep the schools healthy amid the COVID-19 outbreak.

There are currently no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Wyoming.

The statement reads as follows:

Dear Students, Parents, Staff and Community Members,

As of today, there have been no confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Wyoming. That being said, the safety of our students and staff is always our top priority and we will continue to monitor this rapidly evolving situation. As COVID-19 continues to spread throughout the country, we wanted to share with you the steps we are taking across the District to keep our schools healthy.

Most importantly, we encourage ALL individuals to practice social distancing when sick. Parents are encouraged to keep students home who are exhibiting cold or flu-like symptoms. Likewise, we encourage staff to refrain from coming to work if they show symptoms of illness. Everyone is encouraged to wash hands regularly and thoroughly with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty, and avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

In preparing ourselves for prevention and action, these are the steps we are taking:

• As part of our normal practice, our schools are cleaned and sanitized daily with cleaning agents deemed effective for schools. Over the past few weeks, we have increased the frequency and extent of those cleanings.
• Our nurses and administrators will be vigilant in monitoring the student body and staff for symptoms of COVID-19. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”), symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure and may include fever, cough, or shortness of breath. Students will be sent home if they have a fever or are observed to have symptoms of COVID-19, the flu or a cold. While this may be inconvenient for parents, keeping sick students away from healthy students continues to be an important step in preventing the spread of illness.
• The District will continue to provide updates and important information through ParentSquare, the Sweetwater School District #1 Facebook Page, the District website, www.sweetwater1.org, local radio stations, and other local media sources. As we continue to monitor the rapidly evolving situation, communications will be updated. Please don’t hesitate to call your child’s school or the Central Administration Building should you have any questions or need support with the communication tools.

Here is what parents should be doing in preparation:

• Keep sick children home.
• Think about child care plans in the event of a school closure.
• Test your technology out at home. The District has the latest technology in place, allowing us to provide online learning in the event of school closures or isolation.
• Please read, stay informed, and follow recommendations to help keep your own families healthy! Attached are some facts about COVID-19 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Information is available in both English and Spanish.
• Don’t panic. Be prepared while remaining calm. Your child will take cues from you, so if you are calm and rational, that will keep their anxiety level down.

Based on the guidance we’ve received from various health agencies, our own preparedness, and the current state of our operations, we are confident that our schools continue to be safe and we have no hesitations in remaining open.

As this situation continues to evolve, we will closely monitor guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local health officials. We will continue to rely on their recommendations and expertise to inform our decisions. 

While we understand that COVID-19 is cause for concern to many, rest assured that we will continue to base our decisions with the health and well-being of our students, employees and community as our highest priority.

Sincerely,

Kim Keslar
Lead Nurse

Nicole Bolton
Director of Human Resources

Kelly McGovern
Superintendent of Schools