DUNLAP, Ill. — A letter sent out to Dunlap High School families and staff on Wednesday said one of the classrooms at the school will be closed due to a possible case of COVID-19.
According to the letter from Principal Scott Adreon, it’s only a temporary closure of the classroom and not the whole school building.
Adreon said the classroom was closed so custodians can thoroughly disinfect and deep clean the area. Common areas of Dunlap High School will also be deep cleaned.
The letter is attached below:
August 19, 2020
Dear Families and Staff:
This letter is to inform you that an individual(s) at Dunlap High School has tested positive of is presumed to be infected with COVID-19. We are coordinating our efforts with the Peoria County Health Department to promptly identify and monitor individuals who have had recent contact with our COVID19 positive individual(s) to prevent further spread within our facility and community. The health and safety of the Dunlap High School community is our highest priority, and we recognize the uncertainty and concern regarding the evolving coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
We are following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as well as the state and local health departments for best practices and procedures to protect everyone’s health. To prevent further spread of the disease, we have taken the following steps:
1) Temporary closure for identifying and notifying close contacts and for cleaning and disinfection
2) Deep cleaning and disinfection of the entire facility, including common areas
Staff members and others who were identified as having prolonged close contact to the COVID-19 case(s) will be required to be quarantined and will receive a separate notification from the Peoria Health Department. Prolonged close contact is described as being within six feet for 15 minutes or more throughout the day.
Upon reopening, we will continue practices to prevent, identify, and respond to potential COVID cases:
Parents will only be allowed to drop off students at the entrance of our building and pick up students in our designated pickup area. Only one parent will be allowed for pick up/drop off.
Staff are wearing face coverings at all times while in contact with the students and each other in the facility.
We are continuously sanitizing equipment, surfaces, door handles, etc.
We are practicing and modeling social distancing and proper handwashing.
Students are discouraged from any physical contact, including high fives.
Students are continuously washing their hands, following CDC guidelines on proper handwashing.
As we receive more information from the Department of Public Health and other entities, we will implement those recommendations and guidelines. As always, everyone should monitor their health and stay at home if they develop symptoms and contact their health care provider to determine if testing is needed. Anyone who develops severe symptoms should seek medical care immediately. Your child also should stay home if in the previous 14 days your child has had contact with someone with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19, is under investigation for COVID-19, or is ill with a respiratory illness, or in the previous 14 days, or has traveled to states or communities with widespread, sustained transmission. The enclosed guidance provides a detailed explanation of isolation and quarantine, and the actions needed when illness or exposure occurs.
We are committed to providing your child and our staff with a safe and healthy environment. Thank you for understanding and ongoing cooperation with our COVID prevention policies and procedures as we work to help protect your children, your families, and our staff and their families.
Sincerely,
Dr. Scott O. Adreon
