Live CDC information about COVID-19

image of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Meal sites in the South Puget Sound

Quick Links

Where can I learn more?

Pierce County Information

Meal sites in the North Puget Sound

Parent/Student Resources

Resources for Parents and Students

Resources:

Crisis Line

Text 741741
1-800-576-7764

Suicide Prevention Line

1-800-273-8255 (TALK)

Consejo (Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder)

253-285-4750

Consejo will continue providing services to their students while the schools are closed. Therapists will contact students/families with details.

Eatonville Family Agency for food bank

360-832-6805

Opportunity to manage screen time:

American Academy of Pediatrics Announces New Recommendations for Children’s Media Use

Libby

Public library app that allows you to check out library books for free as long as you have a library card number. Text and audio books available.

Tips to stay connected (parents and students):

Start a group text with friends and parents to share your ideas about how you’re keeping busy, activities and opportunities for learning.
Email your teachers and school counselor or social worker for a weekly check in.
Try to keep to a schedule. Wake up at the same time every day, have a list of at least three things you plan to accomplish that day and keep a regular bedtime.

Mindfulness

Smiling Mind app - (free app)
Mindful Moments - on YouTube

Age of Learning

Parent Log-in Access

How to talk to kids about the 2019 Coronavirus

How to log-in to Google at home

Steps:

Go to Google as a browser
In the upper right hand corner click on the ICON or LOGIN.
You may have to ADD account, or enter yours for the first time.
Your Login is your Grad Year, last name.first initial @eatonville.wednet.edu (Example: 22.johnson.b@eatonville.wednet.edu)
Password is LUNCH NUMBER TWICE: (example: 13421342) Or THEIR NEW SIX DIGIT LUNCH NUMBER

Link to Video

https://drive.google.com/file/d/197NIRbEJiV5wArVV0gLWzxzWWIKCCx1w/view?usp=sharing

First Responder, Healthcare, & Military (essential personnel)

We are partnering with Bethel SD and Sumner SD to assist our First Responder/Healthcare/Military (essential personnel) families with childcare needs during the closure.

Both schools have information on their websites. We have contacted all families that filled out the survey we shared. Those families have been put in contact with Bethel and Sumner.

Bethel's asking for families to email them at childcare@bethelsd.org with their contact information.

Sumner has a link to their online registration form on their website, sumnersd.org/coronavirus

Educational Resource Links:

These are not specific to the Eatonville School District, but are a wide listing of companies sharing their resources for free to families. It is an entire spreadsheet of varying digital learning resources.

National Science Foundation
Over 60 Online Digital Learning Resources - From ActivelyLearn all the way to Zoom.

Eatonville School District Updates

ALL ESD BUILDINGS ARE CLOSED ON 3-17-2020

3/15/2020 as of 9:30 p.m.

Dear Eatonville community,

After consideration of events this weekend, and considering staying open tomorrow (3/16), we will remain open.

If parents/guardians choose not to send their children, this will be excused. For students attending we will be adhering to the recommendations from the CDC guidelines which include; gatherings of less than 50 – so plan on no morning meeting at the elementary schools, they will go directly into classes: lunches in groups less than 50, and adhere to the 6 foot rule.

GUIDANCE DIRECTLY FROM THE CDC as of 3/15

”Large events and mass gatherings can contribute to the spread of COVID-19 in the United States via travelers who attend these events and introduce the virus to new communities. Examples of large events and mass gatherings include conferences, festivals, parades, concerts, sporting events, weddings, and other types of assemblies. These events can be planned not only by organizations and communities but also by individuals.

Therefore, CDC, in accordance with its guidance for large events and mass gatherings, recommends that for the next 8 weeks, organizers (whether groups or individuals) cancel or postpone in-person events that consist of 50 people or more throughout the United States.”

We will be sending students home with all materials and information needed for instruction during the closure.

We are partners during this pandemic and are working hard to make this transition from school to home as seamless and positive as possible.

Please make the best decisions that work for your families.
We want to encourage parents, students, and staff to retrieve medication and other essential personal items that they need to have with them before schools are closed.

We care deeply about your families and our community.

Sincerely,

Superintendent Bahr

Grab & Go Meals

SUPPORTING FAMILIES DURING THE SCHOOL CLOSURE

🍎🥕🥪ESD GRAB & GO MEAL SERVICE🍎🥕🥪

Beginning on Tuesday, March 17, ➡️FREE for ALL⬅️ children 0-18, and special education students up to the age of 21.

Meal Service will be near the front entrance of these schools.
🔹Eatonville Middle School 11:00-12:00
🔹Weyerhaeuser Elementary School 11:30-12:30
🔹Columbia Crest A-STEM Academy 12:00-1:00

🚸Children must be present to receive meals.

Mid-March Update 3-13-2020

Inslee Mandate 3-12-2020

3-11-2020 as of 2:40 p.m.

TO: Eatonville School District Staff, Students, and Community Members

This morning Governor Jay Inslee and state health officials held a press conference in response to the latest data concerning COVID-19. During his remarks, he specifically stated that schools, including ours, are preparing for potential school closure and the various ramifications this could lead to. We have been planning our action steps and as more information and recommendations come in, we will respond to those as appropriate. Gov. Inslee and others continued to state that we should expect within the near future, potentially days, guidance on what actions the state may take.

At this time it is important to know the following:

School is operating as normal without any changes to our schedule or events with exception to a single event that was planned for next week. The Annual McTee Music Festival, which is attended by many community members, is being postponed until further notice. Planning on how to address potential recommendations by Governor Inslee are already underway with more to come. We are committed to keeping everyone in the loop as we know more. If a potential school closure does occur, we will do what is necessary for our kids to continue to reach their academic, social, and emotional goals.

For additional information, please continue to visit our website, or our partners at the DOH and the CDC.

3-10-2020 Update

Update as of 7:30 a.m. on 3/10/2020

Coronavirus 2019

Novel Coronavirus

CDC Link to information on the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) - LINK

What is novel coronavirus?

Novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) is a virus strain that has only spread in people since December 2019. Health experts are concerned because little is known about this new virus and it has the potential to cause severe illness and pneumonia in some people.

Who is at risk for novel coronavirus?

Currently the risk to the general public is low. At this time, there are a small number of individual cases in the U.S. To minimize the risk of spread, health officials are working with healthcare providers to promptly identify and evaluate any suspected cases. Travelers to and from certain areas of the world may be at increased risk.

How can I prevent novel coronavirus?

There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. However, as a reminder, CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including:

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.
- Face masks 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.

For information about handwashing, see CDC’s Handwashing website

For information specific to healthcare, see CDC’s Hand Hygiene in Healthcare Settings

These are everyday habits that can help prevent the spread of several viruses. CDC does have specific guidance for travelers.

What if I am traveling to China?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that all travelers from China (including school students, staff and volunteers) arriving in the U.S. AFTER February 2, 2020 at 2 p.m. stay at home, away from others, and monitor their health for 14 days. This measure was put in place due to the increasing number of cases of Coronavirus in China.

If you are traveling overseas (to China but also to other places) follow the CDC’s guidance: wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel.

Letter to Famlies from Pierce County Health Department and Eatonville School District

A message from Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department and the Eatonville School District

Dear students, staff and families,

We understand the recent news about COVID-19 has raised many questions and concerns in our community.

We are working with Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department (Health Department) to address those concerns.

Currently, Puget Sound public health agencies are identifying more positive cases of the disease in our region. We want to provide reliable, timely and accurate information so everyone can make the best decisions about the health of our community.

The Health Department is not recommending school closures at this time. The decision to close schools is not taken lightly. We will determine school closures on a case-by-case basis after we consult with the Health Department. School attendance is important. Children or staff should only stay home if:

They are ill. They should not return to school/work until they have been fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication. If they are tested for Coronavirus by a medical provider, they will need to remain home until they have been fever free for 72 hours.
They have traveled to China, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Iran or Italy within the past 14 days.
After traveling to an affected country, they begin showing symptoms of illness like cough, fever and shortness of breath.

The Health Department advises we take these steps to help prevent the spread of viruses, including COVID-19:

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds each time. You can also use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60-95% alcohol. Using soap and water is preferred.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, or the inside of your elbow.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Stay home when you are sick. Call your healthcare provider if you need medical care.

Schools play an important role to reduce the spread of diseases. We can assure you that our custodial staff is working diligently to keep our schools clean and safe.

Get reliable information at tpchd.org/coronavirus. The Health Department regularly updates this page, including frequently asked questions. You can also sign up for public health blog updates at tpchd.org/notify.

Sincerely,

Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department

Eatonville School District

School Recommendations from Public Health

Additional information about school recommendations:

Public Health is not currently recommending that schools proactively close unless they have a confirmed case of COVID-19 in a staff member or student.

This guidance may have been confusing for some families and schools because schools bring together large groups of children. School closures have significant negative impacts on our community. We will be providing additional information to schools about how to stay open safely. The considerations we have taken in our decision not to currently recommend routine closure at schools include:

Children are not known to get seriously ill from COVID-19
Closing schools may not be effective because some children may congregate anyway, at other locations
Many parents, such as healthcare workers, need to be at work. If these critical workers stay home with children it causes significant impacts on the healthcare system and other institutions that are essential for our community to function
If schools close, some children might have to stay home with alternative caregivers, such as elders, who are more vulnerable
We don’t know how effective children are in spreading this disease

Some children and staff may be at higher risk for severe illness because of underlying health conditions or a weakened immune system. Public Health advises that those people consult with their healthcare provider to decide the best course of action.

Public Health also respects each individual school’s decisions about closures, postponement of activities, or other social distancing measures – as each school knows the needs of their community best.

Public Health is continually assessing our decision not to require the widespread closure of schools. We are continually evaluating information as it becomes available to better inform our decisions about proactive schools closure.

To view the Public Health page: https://www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/communicable-diseases/disease-control/novel-coronavirus.aspx

For More Information and District Updates

3-9-2020 Update

3-5-2020

A message from Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department and the Eatonville School District

Dear students, staff and families,

We understand the recent news about COVID-19 has raised many questions and concerns in our community.

We are working with Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department (Health Department) to address those concerns.

They are ill. They should not return to school/work until they have been fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication. If they are tested for Coronavirus by a medical provider, they will need to remain home until they have been fever free for 72 hours.
They have traveled to China, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Iran or Italy within the past 14 days.
After traveling to an affected country, they begin showing symptoms of illness like cough, fever and shortness of breath.

The Health Department advises we take these steps to help prevent the spread of viruses, including COVID-19:

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds each time. You can also use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60-95% alcohol. Using soap and water is preferred.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, or the inside of your elbow.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Stay home when you are sick. Call your healthcare provider if you need medical care.

Schools play an important role to reduce the spread of diseases. We can assure you that our custodial staff is working diligently to keep our schools clean and safe.

Sincerely,

Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department

Eatonville School District

3-2-2020 Update

Handwashing Guidance from the CDC

Symptoms of COVID-19 from CDC

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How is Eatonville School District preparing for the possibility of widespread illness?

A. Eatonville School District has assembled a team of key leaders from across departments to coordinate planning, decision-making, and communications. Additionally, we are in daily contact with the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department (TPCHD) regarding the international outbreak of the coronavirus, also called COVID-19.

Q. How will Eatonville School District communicate information to staff and families?

A. The Eatonville School District is using a variety of channels including, recorded phone messages, emails, text messages, district, FlashAlert, our emergency line (360-879-1100), and school websites and social media. You can follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Q. When should I keep my student home from school?

A. If a student has a cough and fever, they MUST stay home until they are 24 hours fever free without the use of fever reducing medications. The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department offers some general guidance to families for when to keep your student home: English / Español

Q. Can my student wear a mask at school?

If you choose to have your child wear a mask at school, the District will respect your choice. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) offers guidance on the use of face masks. You may also want to discuss your choice with your health provider.

Q. Will Eatonville School District cancel school due to the international outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19)?

A. Eatonville School District will close or cancel school if ordered by the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department.

Q. Will Eatonville School District cancel or postpone after school and evening sports/events/activities due to the international outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19)?

A. Eatonville School District will cancel activities if ordered to do so by the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department.

Q. Will student travel be suspended?

A. Eatonville School District will continue to follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department. If travel is canceled, students and families will be notified. Here is travel guidance from the Centers for Disease Control.

Q. Should families hold on travel during spring break?

A. Travel guidance can be found on the Center for Disease Control's website.

Q. How can families prepare?

A. The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department recommends families have an emergency plan in case children can't go to school or parents/guardians can't go to work and recommends that parents/guardians talk to their employer about alternative work arrangements. Read additional guidance.

Q. If my student or family is undergoing testing for coronavirus (COVID-19) or test positive, am I required to report this to my school?

A. You will receive instructions from your health provider and the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department.

Q. How are busses cleaned and disinfected?

A: Eatonville School District has a protocol for cleaning its buses.

Q. What is Eatonville School District’ standard cleaning and disinfecting protocol?

A. Eatonville School District has a standard operating procedure for cleaning schools and also has a more advanced protocol for infectious disease cleaning.

Q. Who will be cleaning the schools? Will there be more than one person assigned to each school?

A. Eatonville School District Custodians are assigned to each school.

Q. Are students being required to wash their hands more than usual?

A. Yes. Students are being encouraged to wash their hands more frequently.

For more information, you can call the state Department of Health at 1-800-525-0127 and press #.

Also, see the state Department of Health's website for more coronavirus information.

Why closing schools protects everybody’s health.

This decision was difficult but necessary.

This afternoon, Gov. Inslee announced schools in Pierce, King and Snohomish counties will close no later than March 17 for six weeks to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Our top priority is to protect the health of every person and place in Pierce County. Read this Your Reliable Source blog post for more on why we support the governor’s difficult decision.