Most recent updates

Dear Saydel Families,

As you know, the 2020-2021 school year will be different than previous school years and we will be redefining what a “normal” school day looks like. Returning to school in the fall of 2020 poses many new challenges for Saydel Community Schools, including implementing mitigation measures (e.g., social distancing, requiring the use of face coverings, increased cleaning and disinfection regimens, increased education on health hygiene practices, etc.), addressing social, emotional, and mental health needs of both students and staff, preparing for the probability of COVID-19 cases in the school community, just to name a few. As always, our main goal is to protect the health, safety, and well-being of our students and staff as we prepare to educate students this fall. As said many times, this is a fluid and flexible situation that can change at any point. We will continue to take direction from the CDC, Iowa Department of Public Health, Iowa Department of Education, and our local public health agencies.

Below are a few changes we wanted to make you aware of as far as the health offices are concerned:

1. Medications should be given at home whenever possible, especially once a day medications. Please refer to BFCSD Medication Administration Policy  (507.02). Meds will need to be brought to the school by a parent/guardian as before. Appointments may need to be made to meet with a school nurse in person.
2. Due to nebulizer treatments being considered an aerosol-generating procedure, and it being uncertain at this time whether aerosols generated by this treatment are potentially infectious, nebulizer treatments needed to deliver asthma medication will need to be switched to a metered dose inhaler or dry powder inhaler.  All inhalers to be used at school will be recommended to have a spacer.
3. There will be limited use of acetaminophen and ibuprofen administered at school due to the fact that they can “mask” symptoms that can be Covid-19 related.
4. As per the amendment issued by Governor Reynolds, all pre-participation physicals signed on or after July 1, 2019, are good through December of 2020. If your student’s last year’s physical was done before the July 1, 2019 date, your student will need a new one for this coming school year. This must be done before your student can participate in any practices/games/meets, etc. 
5. There are currently no exemptions or extensions (other than religious and medical)  for required immunizations. These need to be done before the first day of school. 
6. Students who are ill should not attend school in person. Monitor your student each morning for signs of illness. Please refer to the chart from the Iowa Department of Public Health from 7-30-2020 regarding Covid19 and returning to school (Evaluating Sick Students and Staff). 
7. To ensure the health and safety of our staff and students, when you call to report your student ill our secretaries will be asking what symptoms your student is experiencing and if they have been exposed to someone with a positive COVID19 test.  If you receive the school’s voicemail you will be asked to leave that information as well.  
8. Per the CDC, Iowa Department of Public Health, Iowa Department of Education and Polk County Health Department guidelines, any student who exhibits Covid-like signs/symptoms will be immediately isolated. Due to the wide range of signs and symptoms of Covid-19, and for the safety of all, many students will be sent home. Ill students can return after following school policy and/or have met guidelines recommended by Polk County Health Department (When to Stay Home or Return due to Covid-19). Ill students are encouraged to talk with their primary care provider or public health for medical advice.
9. Saydel Community Schools will follow guidelines from the CDC and Polk County Public Health Department regarding students who have possible or confirmed Covid-19, possible Covid-19 exposure or is a close contact to a positive Covid-19 case while maintaining confidentiality. 
10. Upon returning to school after Covid-19, you and your student will need to check in with the building school nurse prior to re-entry to ensure that CDC/Polk County Health Department guidelines have been met. 
11. Please have several emergency contacts on file for your student and have an emergency contact who is able to pick up your student within 30 minutes if you are not able. 
12.  If your student has any increased health risk factors or is considered immunocompromised please contact the building nurse before school starts to discuss and review your student’s medical condition and to determine if an Individual Health Plan is required. It is important for you to discuss your student’s medical concerns with their primary care provider before starting school. 

Please feel free to contact your student's school nurse if you have any questions. As stated, this is a fluid situation and expectations, guidelines, requirements, etc. can change from day to day.

Please remember that we will continue to keep your student as safe as we possibly can, but there is no scenario where we can guarantee 100% that your student will not get ill. We ask that you talk to your student about precautions they can take at school to help keep them healthy (e.g. washing and sanitizing their hands, wearing a cloth face covering, socially distancing themselves from others, etc).

Sincerely, 

Aimee Rhode 
Director of Student Services

Additional Information

Protecting Our Students and Community from Coronavirus

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath

Please contact the school to report the absence and symptoms. Learn more about the symptoms and treatment of Coronavirus at the Center for Disease Control (CDC) website: cdc.gov/coronavirus. Those at highest risk for Coronavirus complications are older adults and individuals with compromised immune systems or heart, lung and kidney disease. 

We continue to closely monitor the situation with our School Nurses, Iowa Department of Public Health, and Polk County Health Department, as well as review updates from the CDC.
 

WHAT CAN I DO TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF THE VIRUS?

• Wash hands with soap and water frequently, for at least 20 seconds
• Use alcohol-based sanitizers when soap and water are not available
• Use disposable tissues when coughing and sneezing; dispose of carefully and promptly
• If tissues are not available, direct your cough or sneeze into the crook of your arm/sleeve
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
• Clean and disinfect “high-touch” objects and surfaces
• Stay home when you are sick, and remain home until fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication
• Avoid close contact with anyone who has cold or flu-like symptoms
• Maintain healthy habits that support your immune system

WHAT IS SAYDEL CSD DOING TO REDUCE THE SPREAD OF VIRUSES?

Saydel CSD is closely monitoring COVID-19 and is in contact with the Centers for Disease Control, Iowa Department of Public Health and Polk County Department of Health to follow all recommended protocols and procedures. Trained staff routinely are monitoring individuals who exhibit fever, cough, and shortness of breath and are following appropriate assessment and monitoring protocols for students and staff who report feeling ill. The district is encouraging all students and staff to follow all preventative health measures, which include frequent hand washing, covering coughs, and staying home when sick.

Saydel CSD is continuing to follow its standard procedure for routine cleaning and disinfection of schools, with special emphasis placed on disinfection of door handles and other frequently touched areas, as suggested by local and state health officials and the Iowa Department of Education. Custodial teams also are making sure all schools and buildings are properly stocked with needed supplies, including soap and paper towels. Additionally, Facilities, Maintenance, and Operations cleaning agents are hospital grade disinfectants. Transportation Services also is preparing to enhance daily bus-cleaning efforts with the addition of interior sanitization, a practice often implemented by the department during cold and flu season. Plans call for buses to be sanitized with disinfectants after routes are completed each day, as a precautionary measure.

The district is continuing to monitor the situation to ensure all precautionary measures are in alignment with current guidance from local, state, and national health officials and in the best interest of students and staff.

School Closure and Travel Restrictions

This is a rapidly evolving situation, with the World Health Organization declaring Coronavirus a pandemic and the President issuing a month-long ban effective March 13 on all travel from Europe to the U.S.

We will continue to monitor the situation and be in contact with area school districts and health departments about whether to close any schools.

Many families have travel plans for spring break. If your family is planning to travel to a country with a Level 3 travel health notice, please contact the student building before returning to school. The CDC is asking you to self-quarantine for 14 days. Read more at cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers.

We appreciate your patience with this fluid situation and we will continue to update you as needed. Please rest assured that we will continue to put your students’ safety first. If you have any questions, reach out to the Saydel district office or your student's building.