Superintendent Smith Addresses Proactive Response to Local Coronavirus Case

Colleagues and Stakeholders,

I just got off the phone with the Director of the Walla Walla Department of Community Health where we discussed the first positive Coronavirus (COVID-19) case in our region. It is a Weston man who is being treated at our local hospital. The adult male attended a basketball game this weekend at Weston Middle School in Weston, OR. As a result, Athena-Weston School District officials have closed the gym and will conduct a deep cleaning out of an abundance of caution. The gym is physically detached from the rest of the school. Health officials do not consider the separate school building to pose any risk of exposure to students at Weston. Similarly, there is no reason to believe that this case impacts the safety and well being of Walla Walla students according to local officials.

This news comes on the heels of WWPS's comprehensive education, communication and preventative measures that have already been implemented related to COVID-19. In addition to student hygiene training, enhanced cleaning activities, and other preventative measures, Walla Walla Public School's Epidemic/Pandemic Plan dictates that we take enhanced safety and preventative measures now that a local case has been detected. In addition to our prevention and education plans already in place, this preventative safety stage includes the following additional actions, as reviewed with local health officials this morning:

1. Schools will begin implementing preventative "social distancing" in school and classroom settings. What this means is that teachers are asked to try and incorporate "space" between students. For example, keeping space between desks, avoiding physical contact between students in PE and recess, avoid sharing of classroom supplies when possible, and limiting situations where large numbers of students are gathered in tight spaces (e.g. assemblies and other school-day events) are appropriate.
2. Non-essential gatherings where large groups of parents/community/students are asked to convene will be canceled and rescheduled for a later date (e.g. after-school movie nights, sports season banquets). These will typically include gatherings that include higher-risk activities (e.g. food being served), and events that rely on attendance from higher-risk individuals. Please check with your school/program site for possible cancellation and rescheduling of specific after-school events. 
3. Additional staff will be brought in during the evenings to continue enhanced cleaning and disinfecting measures across school sites.
4. Additional hand sanitizer and materials will be distributed to core areas and classrooms that lack easy access to hand-washing areas.
5. Additional staff training and communication will be implemented, including preventive measures for coaches to implement to support student athletes.
6. Student and staff out-of-district travel, training, and events will be handled on a case by case basis.

As you can understand, this is a fluid situation and the safety and wellbeing of students and staff remain our top priority. As stated prior, we have developed a website specifically related to this matter and encourage staff, students, parents, and community to continue checking back for updated information. You can find it here: https://www.wwps.org/resources/parents/coronavirus-information