Local schools coordinating virus response with PHD
CAROLINE LOBSINGER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 4 years, 10 months AGO
I grew up in the Tri-Cities, Wash., and have always loved to write. I attended the University of Washington, where I earned a double major in journalism and political science, with an area of emphasis in history. I am the fifth out of six kids — don't believe any of the stories that my siblings tell. To be able to tell others stories and take photos for a living is a dream come true — and I considered myself blessed to be a community journalist. When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, hiking and spending time outdoors, genealogy, reading, and watching the UW Huskies and the Seattle Seahawks. I am a servant to my cat, Frankie, who yes, will eat anything and everything in sight … even wedding cookies. | March 15, 2020 1:00 AM
SANDPOINT — With news of coronavirus cases in Spokane County and neighboring school districts in Kootenai County closing Monday, Bonner County school district officials are staying in close contact with Panhandle Health regarding the rapidly changing coronavirus pandemic.
A multi-agency meeting is being held Monday, with everyone from local officials and school districts to Panhandle Health to discuss the novel coronavirus and the appropriate steps the community should take, Lake Pend Oreille School District Superintendent Tom Albertson told The Daily Bee.
In addition, a conference call is planned for today between school superintendents, Gov. Brad Little’s Coronavirus Working Group to discuss district and charter school responses to the novel coronavirus, also known as COVID-19.
A special school board meeting has been set for Tuesday morning to go over what comes out of those discussions, Albertson said.
“We’re still relying heavily on Panhandle Health for guidance,” he said.
If a recommendation is made to close schools, the district is prepared to deliver a continued education online for students grades 7-12 and will work with the Idaho Department of Education on resources to deliver education to elementary students, Albertson said earlier.
The West Bonner County School District also is closely monitoring the situation in the region and following guidance from the health district on the appropriate steps to take regarding the novel coronavirus, WBCSD Superintendent Paul Anselmo said.
“District administration is communicating with Panhandle Health District and receiving recommendations from the CDC,” Anselmo said in a press release. “Panhandle Health is prepared to let us know how to respond if we begin to see confirmed cases in our immediate area.”
The Coeur d’Alene School District announced Saturday that it planned to close schools beginning Monday until April 6. The district’s announcement follows Friday’s news from Washington that Gov. Jay Inslee had ordered all of the state’s K-12 public schools to close beginning Tuesday, March 17, through Friday, April 24.
Based on guidance from Panhandle Health District, Anselmo said WBCD will restrict larger school-related events out of precaution and minimizing the spread of the COVID-19.
Beginning Friday, all indoor activities that attract more than 250 individuals, and where social distancing of 6 feet or more is unlikely or not possible, are canceled or postponed until further notice, Anselmo said. That includes school performances or other events after school hours that occur indoors. However, the restrictions do not include regular instruction and meals during the school day.
“We are monitoring all updates we receive in our region,” he said. “Please know that the moment we have been informed of any positive cases in our community, we will implement measures to mitigate the potential spread, as directed by the Panhandle Health District.”
Both districts have implemented heightened sanitation in all buildings and school buses are disinfected with an electrostatic sprayer on an ongoing basis. In addition, all students are being counseled on hygiene and COVID-19 precautions.
As they receive recommendations from Panhandle Health District, both districts are sharing them with their students’ families and district staff.
Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction Sherri Ybarra is on the governor’s COVID-19 cabinet and presented a webinar Thursday to the state’s school superintendents. At the time of the presentation, every decision is being made locally with recommendations from the medical community.
“Her key advice was to stay calm, be in the ‘communication’ stage, and prepare for delivering education in an online manner. If things progress, Gov. Little will give directives,” Albertson said Friday.
Caroline Lobsinger can be reached by email at clobsinger@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow her on Twitter @CarolDailyBee.
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