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Coronavirus 2019 (COVID–19)

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Status Update

In response to the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, Maryland State Superintendent Dr. Karen Salmon directed that all Maryland schools close through the end of the school year. Accordingly, all HCPSS school and office buildings are closed, however, the school system is not shut down.

During this time, staff are working remotely. Voicemail will be checked however, email is recommended for the quickest response. For school-related questions, please email the school principal or applicable teacher. For all other questions, locate and contact the appropriate department at Central Office.

State-Mandated School Closures Extended Through End of School Year

Overview

The new Coronavirus COVID-19 continues to be of concern for Howard County residents, as well for those nationwide and around the globe.

HCPSS staff members have been diligent in efforts to remain fully aware of new information as it becomes available and are planning for every conceivable scenario.

On issues of community health, we take our guidance from the experts at the Howard County Health Department (HCHD), Maryland Department of Health (MDH), and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Español

El nuevo Coronavirus COVID–19 continúa siendo motivo de preocupación para los residentes del Condado de Howard, así como para aquellos en todo el país y alrededor el mundo.

Los miembros del personal del HCPSS han sido diligentes en sus esfuerzos para mantenerse plenamente al tanto de la nueva información a medida que esté disponible y están realizando planes para cada situación concebible.

En temas de salud comunitaria, nos guiamos por los expertos del Departamento de Salud del Condado de Howard (HCHD, por su nombre en inglés), Departamento de Salud de Maryland (MDH, por su nombre en inglés) y los Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades (CDC, por su nombre en inglés).

Para información y apoyo adicionales, por favor, llame al 410-313-1591.

中文

新型冠状病毒 COVID–19 是海华郡居民和美国国人及全球人民所关注的焦点。

HCPSS教职员努力不懈的吸收最新信息,并针对各种可能设想得到的情境做规划准备。

对于社区健康问题,我们遵照海华郡卫生局 (HCHD)、马里兰州卫生厅 (MDH),和疾病控制与预防中心(CDC)等机构的专家指示。

欲知详情或想获得更多支持,请电 410-313-5920。

한국어

신종 코로나 바이러스 COVID–19로 인하여 하워드 카운티 주민들은 물론 전국적으로 또한 전세계적으로 우려가 계속되고 있습니다.

HCPSS 스태프 멤버들은 새로운 정보가 생길 때마다 근면 충실하게 숙지하고 모든 발생 가능한 상황에 대비하고 있습니다.

학교 공동체의 보건에 관하여는 하워드 카운티 보건국 Howard County Health Department (HCHD), 메릴랜드 보건국Maryland Department of Health (MDH), 그리고 질병 통제 및 예방 센터 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)의 전문가들로부터 지침을 받고 있습니다.

보다 자세한 문의와 지원을 원하시면, 410-313-1592 로 연락 주시기 바랍니다.

General Information and Resources

The HCHD has shared several recommendations to ensure that all Howard County residents are taking appropriate and effective actions to stay healthy and prevent the spread of all person-to-person viruses. These precautions also have been shared by the CDC, and include:

  • 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
  • Staying home when you are sick
  • Covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throwing the tissue in the trash (or coughing/sneezing into your sleeve or elbow)
  • Cleaning and disinfecting frequently-touched objects and surfaces

Resources for Parents

A number of reputable national organizations have developed guidelines for parents, caregivers and teachers for talking with children about the Coronavirus and infectious disease outbreaks.

Maryland State Department of Education Resources for Parents. Note: The listed resources are optional and have not all have been vetted by HCPSS staff. We encourage parents to exercise caution when sharing data or information with any third party resource provider.

Teachers read the following statements to students on March 13:

Talking to Kids About the Coronavirus, Child Mind Institute

Talking With Children: Tips for Caregivers, Parents, and Teachers During Infectious Disease Outbreaks, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

Talking to Children About COVID–19 (Coronavirus): A Parent Resource, National Association of School Psychologists

Here are some key considerations for supporting your children at home:

When you talk to your children

  • Keep explanations developmentally appropriate.
  • Remind children they are safe. Remain calm and reassuring.
  • Be available to your children and answer questions to the best of your ability. It is okay to not have all the answers. Refer to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for the most current information.
  • Be a good listener. Allow your children to talk about their feelings and concerns. Some children may prefer to express their feelings through writing or artwork.
  • Validate feelings and reactions as normal responses to uncertain or upsetting news.

Model good behaviors

  • Demonstrate and reinforce good practices to prevent illness (e.g., wash hands frequently, get enough sleep, exercise and eat right).
  • Model empathy for others. Many people are impacted by the virus in a variety of ways.

Monitor screen time

  • Monitor and limit screen time and access to social media.
  • Discuss with older children the difference between a reputable source (CDC, Maryland Department of Health) and sources that may be more likely to contain rumors and opinions.
  • Appropriately filter the news that you read/see for your younger children.

Maintain a family routine

  • Even in times of uncertainty, it is important to keep to normal routines as much as possible.
  • Follow your families’ normal schedule based on guidance from CDC, MDH, Howard County Health Department and HCPSS.

Mental Health & Community Services

Visit the Howard County Health Department website at www.hchealth.org for more information and services.

Continuity of Learning Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

HCPSS and Additional FAQs

We continue to update answers to our most frequently asked questions, including those applicable districtwide as well as those geared toward students and staff. For school-specific questions, please email the school principal directly. For all other questions you may still have, please email publicinfo@hcpss.org.

Bright Minds Foundation, the educational foundation of the Howard County Public School System (HCPSS), and HCPSS have launched an emergency Access to Learning Fund to raise money for critical education access supports for HCPSS students during the extended coronavirus school closure.

Learn more about the Access to Learning Fund →