Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information

All-school Communications Regarding COVID-19

School Policies for Reference

• Parent Manual (please refer specifically to the Student Health section)
• Briefing on the Infectious Disease Response Plan

Healthy Community Habits

• If you are sick, stay home and seek medical attention.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands.
• Clean and disinfect objects and surfaces.

Resources for Families and Parents

Your loved ones and children may be asking for more information on COVID-19, and there are trusted resources available to help. We've prepared a selection of materials for you and your family to review.

• You may want to watch this kid-friendly BrainPOP video on what the Coronavirus is.
• For family awareness, Here is an NPR podcast on five things you can do to prevent and protect your family if spreads. 
• Here's an article about How To Talk to Kids about Coronavirus and What Parents Need to Know about the Coronavirus.
• Here's a video from the WHO about when and how to wear a mask.
• Here is a Family Readiness Kit from the American Academy of Pediatrics showing how taking a few simple steps now can help protect your family and assure that your children feel safe.
• Our friends at Common Sense Media recently shared this list of resources for families to keep students "engaged, entertained, and learning" in these uncertain times.
• The Child Mind Institute offers parents some insight on Talking to Kids About the Coronavirus.

Public Health Resources

• San Mateo County Health
• California Department of Public Health
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• World Health Organization

Stigma and Resilience

From the website of the CDC [source]:

Public health emergencies, such as the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), are stressful times for people and communities. Fear and anxiety about a disease can lead to social stigma toward people, places, or things. For example, stigma and discrimination can occur when people associate a disease, such as COVID-19, with a population or nationality, even though not everyone in that population or from that region is specifically at risk for the disease. Stigma can also occur after a person has been released from COVID-19 quarantine even though they are not considered a risk for spreading the virus to others.

Some groups of people who may be experiencing stigma because of COVID-19 include:

• Persons of Asian descent
• People who have traveled
• Emergency responders or healthcare professionals

Stigma hurts everyone by creating fear or anger towards other people. Stigmatized groups may be subjected to:

• Social avoidance or rejection
• Denials of healthcare, education, housing or employment
• Physical violence.

Stigma affects the emotional or mental health of stigmatized groups and the communities they live in. Stopping stigma is important to making communities and community members resilient. See resources on mental health and coping during COVID-19.

Everyone can help stop stigma related to COVID-19 by knowing the facts and sharing them with others in your community.