This message was sent out this afternoon by Superintendent Dr. Rui Dionisio.
EARLY DISMISSAL FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2020
March 9, 2020
Dear Verona Parents & Staff,
There are no reported or confirmed cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Verona. However, as a school district we continue to coordinate a plan for the possibility of delivering home instruction to all of our students in the event one is necessary.
The Verona Public School district will have an early dismissal on Friday, March 13, 2020. Our faculty and staff will utilize the time in the afternoon to further develop plans and modes of instructional delivery that would require remote access during an extended period of time. Specific school hours for an early dismissal may be accessed on our district website or by clicking this link. We recognize that this change to the calendar is disruptive but being prepared is important so as to ensure teaching and learning continues in the unlikely event of an extended school closure for public health concerns.
On Thursday evening, March 5th, the New Jersey Department of Education (DOE) provided new guidance regarding requirements for public health-related school closure stating, “In the event a board of education is provided a written directive by either the NJDOH or the health officer of the jurisdiction to institute a public health-related closure, the board of education may utilize home instruction to provide instructional services to enrolled students. Any day in which students impacted by a public health-related closure have access to home instruction services provided consistent with the guidance in this memo will count as a day in which the board of education has provided public school facilities toward its compliance with the 180-day requirement in accordance with N.J.S.A. 18A:7F-9.”
Furthermore, our custodial and maintenance departments continue comprehensive disinfecting as a daily routine. We also continue to remind our students and staff of the following preventive actions:
- 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.
- Follow CDC’s recommendations for using a facemask. CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19. Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).
- Wash your hands often with soap and water 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 readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) and the State of New Jersey Department of Health websites provide information on the prevention of coronavirus at the following links:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/ncov.shtml
The Verona Public Schools will continue to closely monitor the situation and collaborate with health and government organizations to ensure the well-being of our entire community governing the prevention, control, and reporting of communicable disease. We all have a part to play in staying healthy and we encourage everyone to follow these recommendations. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
All my best,
Dr. Rui Dionisio
Superintendent Of Schools
