Posted:  3.11.2020

In an effort to be proactive, Wayne Local Schools will be closed for students only on Friday, March 13th, 2020.  We will also be extending Spring Break by one day and school will be closed for students only on Monday, 23rd, 2020.   For both of these dates, the staff will be training for preparedness in the event of a long-term closure. All staff needs to report to school as usual.

By the end of the day on Thursday, March 12th, students should take home all books, materials, and supplies required for learning.  Please consider sending an extra bag to school to help your student transport these materials home with them. 

At this time, extracurricular activities will continue as usual.

Please check the websites and school social media sites for updates.

Posted:  3.10.2020

At Wayne Local Schools, the health, safety and well-being of students and staff are top priorities.  With the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) making headlines, district officials want to make sure to reinforce preventive safety measures and to offer additional information. 

The symptoms of COVID-19 that may appear 2-14 days after exposure are similar to that of the flu; fever and cough.  One additional symptom that is present in COVID-19 is shortness of breath.   The virus is spread mainly from person-to-person:   

• Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet). 
• Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. 

The best ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19 are the same preventions that are recommended for the spread of the flu and common cold.  Students, staff, and families are encouraged to be mindful of key preventive measures.  

Handwashing is extremely important in the prevention of illness.  Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; if you are unable to use soap and water, hand sanitizers that include 60%-95% alcohol are recommended, avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth, stay home when you are sick, and use proper cough etiquette (coughing/sneezing into the elbow).  

Washing your hands is easy, and it’s one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of germs.  Clean hands can stop germs from spreading from one person to another and throughout an entire community—from your home and workplace to childcare facilities and hospitals.  Please see below for proper handwashing technique: 

*Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap. 

*Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails. 

*Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice. 

      *Rinse your hands well under clean, running water. 

      *Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them. 

District officials are closely monitoring the situation and taking guidance from the Ohio Department of Health and the U.S. Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). There is currently no recommendation to close schools in the United States.  Wayne Local currently has implemented the following steps and will continue to monitor the Ohio Department of Health and CDC guidelines for any additional recommendations. 

· Encouraging all students to wash their hands before going to lunch and before they consume any food 

· Encouraging students not to share items such as chap stick, gum, food items. 

· When sneezing or coughing, encouraging students to cover their mouths with hands and then wash hands.  

 Staff members are cleaning desks, doorknobs, and other commonly used surfaces daily. 

Students, staff and families are encouraged to be mindful of key preventive measures. The CDC offers some tips on its website that can be useful in avoiding the spread of this and other illness. 

•  What is the coronavirus (COVID-19)? 

• What happens if I am sick with COVID-19? 
• The importance of hand washing 

As with any illness, your child should remain home if symptoms are serious enough to interfere with your child’s ability to learn. If your child’s temperature is 100 degrees Fahrenheit or greater, (s)he should remain home until they are fever-free (without medication) for a full 24-hours before they return to school. Keeping children home when they are sick is critical for prevention. We will continue to update you with information as we know it. 

With Spring Break approaching please see the latest recommendations from the Ohio Department of Health. 

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/faqs.html