SOUTHWICK – Southwick-Tolland-Granville Regional School District has canceled some upcoming events in the wake of the state of emergency declared by Gov. Charlie Baker March 10.
Superintendent Jennifer C. Willard is taking precautionary measures to combat coronavirus, also called COVID-19 after consulting with local health officials.
Willard updated parents via email March 11 and said that until further notice, all out of state field trips will be canceled or postponed, all field trips to venues of over 50 people will be canceled or postponed, any school gathering that would exceed over 50 attendees will be canceled or postponed. This includes but is not limited to the SRS Pops Concert, Powder Mill Spring Fling, First Grade Play, and Drama performance at the Regional School. Willard also stated that “athletics will continue with tryouts on Monday; however, we are closely monitoring this situation and will make adjustments based on guidance from the MIAA and PVIAC.”
The decisions were made Wednesday morning when Willard and the school administrative team met with Southwick Health Director Tammy Spencer and the district’s lead nurse Marcia Lamoureaux.
“It is important to note that the COVID-19 outbreak is a fluid situation, and plans put in place today may have to change tomorrow based on updated guidelines,” wrote Willard.
powder Mill School Principal Erin Fahey Carrier sent a letter to parents March 12 noting that the grade four field trip to the Connecticut Science Museum slayed for next week was canceled.
”We are currently working with the Science Center to determine our next steps. They are completely willing to refund our money, which we would in turn refund to you. They also have dates open in June when they would be able to accommodate our group. It will take us time to see if their open dates will work with our availability and then confirm bussing,” stated Carrier.
The district is asking students and staff to practice safe social distances.
“This includes no hand shaking and keeping a larger than normal personal distance,” she stated. “If you have traveled internationally or not feeling well, we request you do not attend conferences. Instead, please reach out to your child’s teacher to set up a phone conference or reschedule to a different time. The District is working diligently to be responsive to all the guidelines and recommendations from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the Center for Disease Control.”
Willard encouraged good hand-washing practices and urged parents to keep children home if they have a temperature of 100.4 F, coughing, vomiting, and diarrhea, any rash not yet diagnosed by a physician, red or pink itchy eyes, and/or drainage from eye, and any contagious illness such as chicken pox, strep throat or flu.
“Children who are sick should stay home until they are feeling well and fever free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medications,” Willard said. “As always, you should consult your physician if you have any concerns or questions.”
