This is the fifth Community Health Alert regarding information about the coronavirus (COVID-19) and the proactive steps the Vista Unified staff is taking to ensure the safety of all students and adults.
Based on consultation with the San Diego County Office of Education and the San Diego County Health and Human Services, Vista Unified School District will close all schools and programs starting on Monday, March 16, 2020 through the end of spring break. We will reopen on Monday, April 6, 2020. This decision was made to curb the potential transmission of the coronavirus (COVID-19). More details to come.
Vista Unified staff will be providing students, parents, and staff with more information on our plans to continue providing learning opportunities for students during the closure. We are also working with staff to operationalize a plan to continue providing nutrition and other support during this time.
We will remain in close contact with the San Diego County Office of Education and local public health officials throughout the duration of this closure and will provide updates to families as appropriate.
We encourage you to stay informed of the situation by regularly checking updates from San Diego County Public Health Services and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
We understand this action may pose added hardship for some of our families. This decision was made in coordination with all district superintendents in San Diego County. We collectively feel this is the best plan of action to protect our students, families, and community members.
While your student(s) remains home, we encourage you to continue practicing good hygiene, which includes:
•Washing 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.
•Avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
•Avoiding close contact with people who are sick.
•Covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throwing the tissue in the trash.
•Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces.
•Getting vaccinated for the flu is you have not already
If you feel for any reason your child may have or has been exposed to the novel coronavirus, please contact your doctor immediately. Virus symptoms can range from mild to severe and could include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as long as 14 days after exposure.
The Vista Unified School District will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as necessary. We understand this is a time of uncertainty and concern. We will work through this together to keep our students, families, and staff safe. If you have questions, please contact Student Support Services at (760) 726-2170, ext. 92180. We thank you for your cooperation and support.
Sincerely,
Dr. Matt Doyle
Superintendent of Schools
Vista Unified School District
