Updated: February 28, 2020
Dear Parents and Guardians,
As you are likely aware, the global outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) has created a challenging situation for many communities, and we empathize with families around the world who have been affected. Here in Ojai there are no known cases of COVID-19 and, as the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has emphasized, the immediate health risk is considered low.
However, to minimize the risk of exposure, we have discouraged overseas travel for our current international students and provided dorm housing and activities for students from China, Korea, and Taiwan. We are evaluating options regarding Spring Break and upcoming school trips. More information will be forthcoming.
If you traveled to an affected area during Winter Break or could be at risk of COVID-19 exposure, please keep your students home and contact us immediately so we can discuss options.
Ojai Valley School strives to maintain a healthy environment for its students, one that encourages wellness and promotes learning. Policies and guidelines have been established by OVS with the help of local physicians, Ventura County Public Health, and The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to minimize the spread of any communicable disease so that the school can remain open to students and functioning in a normal manner.
To decrease transmission of infection, we advise all persons to follow prevention strategies set forth by the CDC:
• Staying home when sick:
Those with influenza-like illness should stay at home for at least 24-48 hours after they no longer have a fever, or signs of a fever, without the use of fever-reducing medications. They should stay home even if they are using antiviral drugs.
• Separate ill students and staff:
Students and staff who appear to have influenza-like illnesses will remain in the Health Center until they can be sent home.
• Hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette:
Promote frequent and thorough hand washing with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Remind students and staff to cover mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing and/or sneezing, or coughing and sneezing into their elbow or shoulder.
• Routine cleaning:
Diligent routine cleaning of entire campus as well as using disinfecting wipes on those areas that students and staff touch often (door knobs, handles, telephones, bathrooms, computer keyboards, etc.,).
• Early treatment of high-risk students and staff:
If a student or staff member, who is at high risk for influenza complications, becomes ill with and influenza-like illness, the Health Center will ensure that they are further assessed by a health care provider as soon as possible. Early treatment with antiviral medications is very important for people at high risk because it can prevent hospitalizations and death. People at high risk include those who have asthma or diabetes, have compromised immune systems, neuromuscular diseases or are pregnant.
• Influenza vaccinations:
Vaccines are the most powerful public health tool for control of influenza; therefore the OVS Health Center is offering both the Seasonal Influenza vaccine and the Novel Influenza A (H1N1) vaccine when it becomes available to the students and staff. (More information on the vaccines, including consent forms, is available in the Front Office on both campuses or in a downloadable version on the website resources page.)
While OVS remains committed to keeping the school functioning and the students healthy, there are several steps that you as parents and guardians can take to help:
• Teach your children to wash their hands often with soap and water, for at least 20 seconds, and/or use and alcohol-based hand rub. You can set a good example by doing this yourself.
• Teach your children not to share personal items like drinks, food or unwashed utensils, and to cover their coughs and sneezes with tissues. Show them how to cough or sneeze into their elbow, shoulder or sleeve if a tissue is not available.
• Know the signs and symptoms of an influenza-like illness, which could include: Fever 100-degrees Fahrenheit, 37.8 degrees Celsius or greater; Cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose; Body or muscle aches; Headache; Fatigue or general malaise; Vomiting or diarrhea.
• Keep children with an influenza-like illness at home for at least 24-48 hours after they no longer have a fever, or signs of a fever, without the use of fever-reducing medications. They should stay at home even if they are using antiviral drugs.
• Do not send children back to school if they are still sick. If the school nurse determines that a student is still sick with any of the above symptoms, they will be sent home.
• If a household member has influenza-like symptoms, keep any school-aged children home for 5 days from the onset of the affected member’s symptoms.
OVS will continue to keep you updated with new information as it becomes available. You may also contact the OVS Health Center at 805-640-2584 ext. 1238 or by email at: healthcenter@ovs-archive.ihwy.com. For additional and up-to-the-minute information on influenza or any other communicable disease visit www.cdc.gov.
Sincerely,
Tanishia Brown, BSN,RN
Administrative Nurse
Becka Wellick, BSN, RN
OVS School Nurse
