Schools Closed for Duration of Public Health Emergency

WI Department of Health issed the following executive order on March 17, 2020: “Effective at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 18, 2020, all public and private schools and institutions of higher education in the State of Wisconsin shall close for instructional and extracurricular activities at 5:00 p.m. Such institutions shall remain closed for the duration of the public health emergency or until a subsequent order lifts this specific restriction.”

Closing school is a very difficult decision and one that is not made lightly. Below are details on the plans we have put in place the time that school is closed. Note that we will be flexible and modify as needed to create the most safe and effective plans for families and staff.  

The safety of our students, staff and families remains our top priority. We are committed to communicating as often as necessary as we learn new information. Families can expect all email updates to be sent via Infinite Campus Portal and posted to this webpage.

Governor Evers’ March 17 order mandates that all schools “shall remain closed for the duration of the public health emergency or until a subsequent order lifts this specific restriction.” We will continue to provide and improve our distance learning program until the public health emergency ends. 

• Daily assignments for all grades can be found at OregonSD.org/DistanceLearning and will be updated by 8:15 AM each day.
• The first week (March 31 - April 2) will be a “test run” with the purpose of getting comfortable with the process.
• Daily activities / assignments can be done at whatever time works with your family’s schedule.
• We are all in this together and OSD staff are here to support you. If there is something you find confusing or don’t understand, please contact your child’s teacher or building administrator.

April 3 was designated as a planning day for staff. April 10 and 13 are planned days off on our school calendar. There will be no distance learning materials provided on those days. 

Based on advice from the CDC and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Public Health Madison and Dane County is recommending that people postpone or cancel nonessential travel to areas with community transmission of COVID-19. This includes both international travel and domestic travel to places with widespread illness.  This information is updated by the CDC regularly. 

If you travel to these areas, Public Health recommends a 14-day self-quarantine upon your return. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services has more information about how to self-quarantine.

We are in contact (daily and hourly) with health officials to receive the most recent updates.  We continue to monitor and take guidance from local, state, and national health partners:

• OSD Medical Advisor, Dr. Joanna Bisgrove
• Public Health of Madison and Dane County
• WI Department of Health Services (WDHS) 
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• World Health Organization (WHO)

Below are some key preventive measures from the CDC that can be useful in avoiding the spread of this and other illnesses:

• Stay home when you are sick;
• Keep children who are feeling sick or have a fever home (students must be fever-free for 24 hours without the use of medication before returning); 
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer;
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands;
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick;
• Cover your mouth and nose with the inside of your elbow when you cough or sneeze; and
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

Our School Nurses have shared videos designed to reinforce proper handwashing techniques with children.  Links to these videos are below if you would like to reinforce this at home.

• Handwashing and Covering Cough (Grade K-2)
• Proper Handwashing (Grades 3+)

• Your Primary Care Physician should be your first contact with health questions.
• UW Health COVID-19 information hotline: 608-720-5300.

The heightened discussion of COVID-19 and announcement of school closures can create stress and anxiety for families and children.

Tips from the CDC website for talking with your children

• Remain calm and reassuring;
• Make yourself available to listen and to talk;
• Avoid language that might blame others and lead to stigma;
• Pay attention to what children see or hear on television, radio, or online;
• Provide information that is honest and accurate; and
• Teach children everyday actions to reduce the spread of germs.

Additional resources for talking with your children

• How to Talk to Your Kids - PBS/Daniel Tiger for young children
• Brainpop video - cartoon explanation for children
• Comic Explaining COVID-19 - NPR / WI Public Radio
• What to Say to Kids When the News is Scary - NPR / WI Public Radio
• Talking to Teens and Tweens About Coronavirus - New York Times
• Talking to Kids About COVID-19 - Child Mind Institute
• Guide to Talking with Children About COVID-19 - National Association of School Psychogists

Many individuals and organizations have asked if they can make food or monetary donations to help children in our school community. OSD is not able to accept food items. If you would like to offer a monetary donation, you may do so via FOSD, which will funnel the funds to OSD to pay for the expanded food service program.   

It is amazing that despite the current circumstances, the first question on the minds of so many is how they can help. Our school community is strong and we are confident that by working through this situation together, we will become even stronger.  

Together #OregonAchieves!