Good morning Herod families,
I have a couple of urgent announcements that I want to share with you this morning, as they relate directly to safety and health.
First, please take some time to review the attachment labeled Safety Letter New Map. The map includes AM and PM drop-off and pick-up procedures, and I am reminding you to please follow these guidelines as you drop off your child in the AM and pick up your child in the PM. We love our neighbors, and I have been getting some complaints about families not following the rules. As a friendly reminder, parking in front of someone’s driveway, turning around in driveways, and parking in no-parking zones are not permitted and these actions are being reported to 311 and our constables by neighbors. Click here: safety letter new map.pdf
Second, our Interim Superintendent Dr. Lathan has sent out important information regarding the coronavirus and tips on how we can keep our students from being exposed to a virus, including the flu and stomach virus. It is very important that you remind your children about the importance of frequent hand washing, not touching their eyes, noses, and mouths with unwashed hands, and covering our coughs and sneezes. If your child is sick, please keep them home until they are feeling better. This gives your child time to feel better and prevents other students, faculty, and staff from being exposed to illness.
Here are some guidelines we recommend to prevent infection and avoid being exposed to a virus. The CDC (Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention) recommends everyday preventative actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses including:
- Stay home when you are sick and remain home until fever free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
- Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash yoru hands.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
As part of HISD’s effort to ensure campuses and facilities are safe and healthy, the district has trained staff who routinely monitor individuals who exhibit fever, cough, and shortness of breath will follow appropriate assessment and monitoring protocols for students and staff who report feeling ill. Staff are also inquiring about recent personal travel, and new students wishing to enroll at any HISD school are being asked to complete a routine travel history questionnaire as a precaution.
The Centers for Disease Control issued a warning to expect a wider spread of the coronavirus in the U.S., saying it remains unclear how severe the health threat could be – but that a sustained transmission of the virus is possible and has advised schools, businesses, and communities to plan for potential outbreaks.
The Houston Independent School District is in contact with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Texas Department of Health and Human Services and Houston Health Department, and will continue to monitor the situation to ensure plans are in place and protocols are followed to keep all students and staff members safe and updated with the latest information.
Thank you for your close attention to these updates and reminders.
Kind regards,
Principal Michelle Turek