Dear colleagues, as you know we are experiencing something unique for Haywood County Schools and much of the world.  Hopefully, this will be a once in a lifetime experience for all of us.  Currently, there are no known cases of COVID-19 in Haywood County or Western North Carolina.  While this could change soon or weeks from now, we have a responsibility to act calmly and responsibly.  We should follow state and federal directives while simultaneously avoiding knee jerk reactions based on fear.  As educators it is our responsibility avoid emotional reactions and base our actions on the facts as we know them.  The one thing I know for sure, we have great people and we will get through this better than most other communities.

Yesterday, Alison Francis, Child Nutrition Director, completed paperwork for emergency distribution of food during a statewide closure of schools in a declared state of emergency. Here are a few reminders for the next few days:

  • I am meeting with members of the district-level Collaborative Leadership Team (CLT) at 2:00 p.m. today (Sunday) at the Central Office.  The Transportation Director and Child Nutrition Director are joining us.  We have a couple of options for food distribution to needy students.  We will finalize our plans in this area by the end of the day.  We will also review, and update if appropriate, guidance that we provided to principals on Friday regarding educational support for students during our closure.
    • I noticed some schools are already notifying students and their families about educational support.  Please make sure there is digital access for families that cannot travel to school to pick up paper materials.  We will have some people who do not have digital access and others that cannot travel.  We need to do our best, when practical, to replicate our support in both areas.
  • Principals should:  (1) meet with teachers and other instructional support staff members first thing on Monday morning (2) review the educational support information we provided on Friday as well as the information above (3) ask teachers and others to work on educational support while school is closed and (4) attend the administrative meeting for principals at the Education Center at 10:00 a.m. on Monday.
  • District level administrative staff will meet at the Central Office at 8:15 on Monday.
  • Full-time 10 month, 11 month, and 12 month employees should report to work on Monday.  At this point, the closure days will be considered Work Days.  Full-time employees should work accordingly until further guidance is issued.  We will provide information at a later date to clarify days that are optional or mandatory.  This will depend on our effectiveness in providing educational support, effectiveness in distribution of food, and most importantly, the confirmation of COVID-19 cases in Haywood County.
  • In my meeting today (Sunday) we are also working on provisions for work for part-time employees (primarily part-time bus drivers and cafeteria workers).  We want to, where practical, make opportunities for these employees to have income during this crisis situation.  We will inform these employees about work opportunities that apply specifically to them no later than Tuesday morning, hopefully sooner.
  • Jason Heinz and the Human Resources Department will serve as the inquiry point for processing questions about employees with chronic health conditions coming to work.  These will be addressed on a case-by-case basis and decisions will be influenced by current law/policy, public health directives, medical diagnoses, and the confirmation of cases in Haywood County.
  • Please do not ask us to authorize actions that are contrary to the Governor’s executive order or conflicts with state or federal actions to limit the spread of COVID-19.  We do not have the authority to make exceptions to any of these actions.

This is an evolving situation.  We will update you and the community on these and other matters as we receive additional guidance and as the situation in Haywood County evolves.  Please understand we cannot accurately predict what will be occurring in two weeks.  We have been informed that the state will be making several decisions about school absences, the school calendar, and other school-related matters.  We will provide updates to you after they are provided to us.  In the meantime, please remember to use universal precautions:

  • Frequently wash your hands
  • Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth
  • Cover your cough or sneeze
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces with an appropriate disinfectant
  • If you become ill, stay home and seek medical care

This link (https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/public-health/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19-response-north-carolina) provides state updates on COVID-19.  It contains a wealth of information for people interested in COVID-19.  You can also call 866-462-3821 for additional information.

 

Contact:  Dr. Bill Nolte, Superintendent