The Oconomowoc Area School District (OASD) has a comprehensive plan in place to manage potential outbreaks of infectious diseases. As a result of recent developments related to the Coronavirus or COVID-19, the District has brought together a team to update that plan with specifics related to COVID-19. We will be working closely with the Waukesha County Department of Health and Human Services. We are also in the process of developing contingency plans for the continuity of learning in the event of significant absences of students or staff due to illness as well as for extended school closures.
The plan outline includes the following:
- Coordination and communication around the actions of COVID-19 preparation
- Student, family, and staff education on COVID-19 prevention strategies
- Working with Health Department officials to provide guidelines to families and staff on health criteria to determine when to go home, when to stay home, and when it is safe to return to school/work
- Confirming facility disinfection procedures district-wide, both now and in the event of a COVID-19 outbreak or school closure
- Ensuring proper sanitation procedures for OTC school buses
- Coordinating with Oconomowoc Transport Company (OTC) to ensure continued operations during an outbreak or in the case of a school closure
- Contingency planning for staff absences due to illness to ensure staffing levels are appropriate to provide instruction in a safe learning environment
- Developing alternative plans for continuity of instruction for students during periods of significant absence or extended school closures
- Identification of essential personnel required for district operations in the event of school closures
Currently, the OASD is following the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines for COVID-19 (see below). The District will continue to monitor developments and will revise the district response/pandemic plan as appropriate. The following information is from Christy Deal, OASD Director of Health Services:
There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease (COVID-19), which started in China. New cases have been identified in other areas of the world, as well as in the United States. At this time, only one confirmed case has been identified in Wisconsin.
It can be challenging to know when a child is too ill to attend school. The OASD illness guidelines can be a reference for you, as well as your primary care provider. Students with a fever should not return to school until they have been fever- free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications (i.e., Tylenol or Ibuprofen). Students with vomiting or diarrhea should stay home until 24 hours symptom-free. It is important to follow these guidelines and the advice of your healthcare provider to help minimize the unnecessary spread of illness at school and ensure your child can appropriately rest and recover.
Click here to read the OASD Illness Guidelines (English)
Click here to read the OASD Illness Guidelines (Spanish)
The best way to prevent illness is to avoid exposure to this virus. However, as a reminder, the 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.
- 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.
The following links help provide a summary of COVID-19, as well as providing information through frequently asked questions. Our administrative and health services teams will continue to monitor updates and provide information as necessary.
- https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/summary.html
- https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html
- https://www.waukeshacounty.gov/publichealth
- https://www.jeffersoncountywi.gov/departments/heal...
- https://www.co.dodge.wi.gov/government/departments...
If there are OASD school closings due to COVID-19, the district will share information and updates in as many ways as possible to ensure families and the community have access to the information. In addition to the text, voicemail, and email updates that our families will receive, we also share information in these locations:
- www.oasd.org/Emergency
- Facebook: @oconomowocschools
- Twitter: @oconschools
- Instagram: oconomowocschools
- With local media organizations
Please follow the Oconomowoc Area School District on social media to ensure you receive urgent or emergency updates.