> A message from ColoradoBoulevard.net:
- Please don’t panic.
- Practice social distancing. It will help containing the spread of the virus and won’t overwhelm our health workers.
- Read this article about 10 Reasons Why You Ought to NOT Panic. (#3 is our favorite: “Science is on it, Globally”).
- Keep checking our live article for the latest updates.
- Stay safe. Help your neighbors: (click to read).
Pasadena Unified School District (Photo – ColoradoBlvd.net)
Here are excerpts from PUSD Superintendent, Brian McDonald, to the community.
By News Desk
…Because the Centers for Disease Control has recently broadened the criteria for testing for COVID-19, more and more individuals will be recommended by their physicians to be tested. When people are being tested, this does not mean they have the COVID-19 infection,so there is no need for immediate concern. If there are people who are confirmed to have COVID-19, this will be communicated quickly and appropriate action will be taken.
Influenza Types A and B
It is important to remember that Influenza Types A and B are circulating in the general population so people more are being tested for either the flu or coronavirus.
Testing of several PUSD staff: No Confirmed Cases
We have reports of testing of several PUSD staff and are in ongoing communication with the City of Pasadena Public Health and L.A. County Public Health. As of this point, there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in PUSD.
The Board of Education
The Board of Education is considering an emergency resolution at its meeting tonight. This action is being taken as a proactive and precautionary measure to allow PUSD quicker access to resources, provide greater flexibility in preparing and responding, and ease coordination with other agencies.
PUSD schools remain open
PUSD schools remain open. At this time, Public Health does not recommend proactively closing schools. Per the L.A. County Department of Public Health, because closing schools disrupts so many lives and may put vulnerable children at risk, significant efforts need to be made to create safe school environments. Many of our students’ parents are on the front lines of the COVID-19 response.
About school closures
School closures also create concerns about child care and possibly exposing at-risk caregivers. There would also be financial impacts to the district if schools were closed without the direction of the Public Health Department. By keeping our doors open, we help ensure that our community stays safe.
Exceptions
However, should one or more students or school staff members test positive for COVID-19 and they expose others at school, the school will need to close.
In the event school closures would be ordered, we will ways to continue instruction and ensure that accommodations are made for students with disabilities. We are preparing standards-based general content packets, digital push-out with additional content using appropriate an learning management system, and distance learning with two-way flow of work between students and teachers. We are also making sure that students get school meals, and that staff remain healthy and safe.
A phone hotline beginning March 13
We are fully committed to sharing information with our community and are establishing a phone hotline that will open beginning March 13 from 8-5 on weekdays and weekends. The phone number will be published tomorrow at pusd.us. We may expand those hours as needed. All information will also be on our website at pusd.us
…We will keep you informed as the situation changes. We deeply appreciate your support and understanding as we all navigate this crisis.
Sincerely,
Brian McDonald
Superintendent
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