Schools to Close through at Least March 20
CANTON — Superintendent Jill Rossetti reports that Blue Hills Regional Technical School will close its facilities for the next week out of an abundance of caution in an effort to reduce the risk of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) to the school community.
Blue Hills Regional Technical School leadership has decided to close the school temporarily after significant consideration, and in an effort to proactively mitigate the risk of exposure to the virus to students and staff. At this time, there have been no positive or presumed positive cases of the virus in the school community.
“It’s with an abundance of caution that we close Blue Hills Regional Technical School facilities for the next week,” said Superintendent Rossetti. “Several of our sending school districts have chosen to close for a period of time, and we believe it’s in our best interest to do so as well. We’re continuing to monitor the situation and will continue to share information with the community as it becomes available.”
From Monday, March 16 through Thursday, March 19, Blue Hills Regional Technical School will close. Friday, March 20 is a scheduled professional development day for faculty and students will not be in session. Measures will be put in place to accommodate students’ studies and ensure that they have the educational resources needed to minimize disruptions and maintain a continuity of learning.
The decision was made after careful consideration by Blue Hills Regional Technical School leadership after reviewing the facts and circumstances of the rapidly unfolding novel coronavirus crisis, which has been designated a global pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Blue Hills Regional Technical School leadership is closely following guidelines outlined by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and cancelling all before- and after-school events, including athletic games and practices, for the next week. MIAA winter sports have been postponed until March 30. These precautions are in an effort to limit large gatherings and practice social distancing.
While students and educators are out of the building, custodial staff will conduct a comprehensive and thorough disinfecting and sanitizing effort throughout school buildings. This effort is in addition to the daily cleaning regimen the district has implemented in recent weeks in light of the virus and as is customary during flu season.
Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough and shortness of breath, and can appear between two and 14 days after exposure, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Anyone who experiences symptoms and believes they may have the virus is advised to contact their health care provider. For more information from the CDC for those who may have the virus, click here.
Blue Hills Regional Technical School also wishes to encourage students and staff to follow recommended preventative steps from the DPH:
- Practice good hand hygiene. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds including under your fingernails. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol content) can be used when soap and water are not available.
- Keep your hands away from your face.
- Cover your nose and mouth when sneezing and coughing with a tissue and discard it immediately. Cough into the sleeve over your elbow instead of your hand. Wash your hands often when coughing and sneezing.
- Stay away from people who are sick and stay home when you are sick.
For more information, visit the DPH website by clicking here and the CDC’s website by clicking here.
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