Calamus-Wheatland Parents and staff:
In light of the Iowa Board of Regents announcement that all state universities will move toward online course work following spring break, and with other state and local events canceling, the Calamus-Wheatland School District wants to assure our families that normal operations will continue at this time.
While our overarching objective is to keep students and staff members safe, we also acknowledge that we have a social responsibility to ensure the continuity of education for our students.
In the event that the Iowa Department of Public Health determines that there is a need for closure, or other action, the County Health Departments and school districts will coordinate to respond, and communicate additional information at that time.
As districts, we are working to be proactive and preventative, while operating in a state of preparedness. Please know that we are in constant communication with the County Health Departments, as well as receiving updates from the Iowa Department of Public Health. Moving forward, we will continue to partner with and follow the guidance of these agencies. For reference, the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus can be found via the Iowa Department of Public Health Coronavirus and the Centers for Disease Control Coronavirus or you can call the public hotline for Iowans with COVID19 questions by calling 2-1-1, which is available 24/7.
The safety and well-being of our students and staff is always our top priority. We all have procedures in place as part of our district emergency operating plan[s] to handle situations regarding the spread of illness.
As stated before, to help prevent the spread of this respiratory virus, the CDC recommends the following actions:
- Frequently wash your hands for 20 seconds or more with soapy water. If unavailable, use hand sanitizer.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
As I stated above, if a case is confirmed in our area, our local and state public health authorities will be communicating with us and then we will be relaying this information to you. I would highly encourage you to think about an emergency/backup plan for childcare should a caregiver become ill, or if school would need to be closed for a period of time due to illness.
Please feel free to communicate with your local school district if you have any specific questions.
Sincerely,
Lonnie A. Luepker, Superintendent
Calamus-Wheatland