BearFacts News                 
March 12, 2020

Dear Emerson Community, 

I hope everyone is remaining healthy and calm during this difficult time.  If you are watching the news, it is hard not to be worried about the Coronavirus.  The situations seem to be changing daily.  Please know that BUSD and Emerson Leadership are also aware of the situation and are in regular communication with the district, school staff, and the PTA.  The School Custodians worked overtime this last weekend, on Saturday and Sunday, to clean the entire school, including hard surfaces.  Teachers have been provided with disinfectant products and hand sanitizers for the classroom.  

Starting now, the Superintendent has directed schools to cancel social gatherings, this includes All School Assemblies, performances, evening gatherings at school including PTA /SSC/ ELAC. The district is canceling the Black History Oratorical Fest (3/19) and the Performing Arts Showcase (3/22).  This is in force until we receive a further update.  It could be that events planned for April and beyond might still go forward, but we cannot say at this time because we do not know what to expect.  

At this point, we are recognizing that this challenge will take an invested and collaborative community. All school staff are pitching in, by encouraging students to wash hands and use disinfectant, wiping down desktops, and monitoring student sneezes and coughs. If a child becomes sick and vomits, they will need to be sent home immediately. Please do not send your child to school if they have a fever, and they should remain at home for at least 24 hours after vomiting, diarrhea or a break in fever. Let the office know if your child is sick so that we may clear the absence and monitor illnesses. If you or a family member has traveled to a country that is identified by the CDC as Level 3 Travel Health Notice, please exclude yourself and your family from school for a minimum of 14 days and notify the office immediately. Now is a good time to formulate back up plans in case of a school closure or prolonged sickness in your family.

You can help by donating hand sanitizer, pump soaps for the classroom sinks, Lysol spray cans, and disinfectant wipes.  Classroom teachers and the front office will gladly accept your donations. The school district has ordered many of these products for schools, but they are back-ordered.  Therefore, we gratefully accept your donations, which we may need during a prolonged virus season. You may continue to monitor district communication at: https://www.berkeleyschools.net/coronavirus/.

We appreciate your support. As the saying goes, “it takes a village”…