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Wednesday, March 4, 2020
Handwashing and Infectious Disease Prevention
Lead by example! Remember, children imitate what you do. Remind your kids to wash their hands:
- Make it part of your routine prior to eating and after using the bathroom
- Here’s a fun video featuring staff and students at Springfield Estates Elementary School:
Baby Shark Handwashing Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J54zD_nVZco
FCPS is working closely with the Fairfax County Health Department to monitor the latest updates about the coronavirus (COVID-19). We are reinforcing the importance of students following proper handwashing procedures and our outstanding custodial teams following standard cleaning protocols by using hospital-grade disinfectants on high-touch surfaces such as doorknobs, faucet handles, and handrails. We realize that time is a valuable commodity during the school day, and in today’s environment, hand washing should be a priority, so we are encouraging staff to provide ample time for students to wash their hands.
Here is additional information about flu virus prevention from the Fairfax County Health Department:
Hand hygiene saves lives! Did you know that proper hand hygiene may prevent up to 80 percent of infectious diseases? Germs get on your hands and on items you touch throughout the day.
Stop the spread: Without realizing it, people frequently touch their eyes, nose, and mouth AFTER touching contaminated objects, such as doorknobs, handrails, desks, and hand-held devices.
What can you do? The first line of defense is handwashing which is easy, cheap, and effective in preventing the spread of germs. When done correctly, handwashing is the single most effective way to prevent the spread of contagious diseases.
Simple steps to practice proper handwashing are:
- Wet hands
- Lather with soap
- Scrub for 20 seconds (Have fun and sing a song)
- Rinse
- Dry
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FCPS responds to the Coronavirus--Information Below
FCPS is working with the Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) and closely monitoring the health crisis in China and globally associated with novel coronavirus infections (COVID-19), as well as any impact it may have locally. Currently, there are no cases of COVID-19 infection in Fairfax County, in Virginia, or in the National Capital Region. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), risk to the U.S. public is considered low at this time. The FCHD has provided an updated handout about COVID-19 for the community. The most up-to-date information about the COVID-19 outbreak can also be found on the CDC website.
Currently, the CDC has issued a travel warning for China and South Korea to avoid all non-essential travel due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The CDC has also provided guidance to travelers and information regarding other destinations with apparent community spread. This information is available at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html
Based on this information, and in an abundance of caution, FCPS has suspended all international field trips and short-term visitations to and from countries that are highlighted on the CDC’s list as destinations with a watch or alert level for travelers, as well as destinations being impacted by “Apparent Community Spread” of COVID-19. This will apply through June 30, 2020. FCPS will continue to monitor recommendations and information from the CDC and make any necessary changes based on updated information.
The FCHD is coordinating with federal, state and local public health and safety partners to take public health actions, as necessary, to keep the community safe. As the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve, FCPS will continue to work with the FCHD to implement public health recommendations and share updated information with the community, as it becomes available.
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Giraffes Don't Dance----2nd Grade Play
Hats off to our 2nd grade students from Mrs. Gorham's and Mrs. Richardson's classes who presented Giraffes Don't Dance last Thursday night for their parents. The play was terrific and we salute the great work of our music teachers, Mrs. D' Alelio and Mr. Rodgers!!
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Kiss and Ride Rules and REMINDERS
Please be sure to adhere to the K & R rules that are in place to ensure the safety of all! The crossing guard position is governed by Fairfax County police and lately they are NOT allowing cars to turn left to enter the PARKING lot to park. Please be respectful to the cars in the K & R line that extends onto Silverbrook Road and Do Not Cut into the line ahead of others waiting. Should you have concerns about the traffic flow, please contact the Fairfax County Police for clarifications. The school does not govern or supervise their actions.
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Newcomer ESOL students from South County HS Visit with our Kindergarten students
This fall the ESOL Departments of Laurel Hill Elementary School and South County High School began a Reading Buddie exchange program. Once a month, new English speakers from SCHS ESOL classes come to Laurel Hill and read to our Kindergarten ESOL students. The Kindergarteners love to have their high school buddies share books with them, and the high school students get to practice their English reading and conversation. It has been a fun program, giving both groups of students more confidence in their English skills.
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Positivity Project Pep Rally!
Last Friday our school celebrated our use and participation of the Positivity Project in school. Huge thank yous to the South County HS cheerleaders and step team who helped to lead our celebration!
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Lorton Library Branch is Closing Soon for Renovations
Lorton Library, a branch of the Fairfax County Public Library, is expected to close for renovation at 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 11. Renovations to the branch are expected to take a minimum of 21 months.
The footprint of the renovated branch will be 60% larger than its current 10,000 square feet, and the layout will be more efficient for customer use. Infrastructure will be updated to meet modern technology requirements, and building systems nearing the end of service life will be renewed. The building design will meet Fairfax County green building and Americans with Disabilities standards and be completed to achieve LEED® Silver certification. In addition to energy-saving features, the library will have an expanded children’s space, a teen room with gaming station, a Wi-Fi/laptop bar and other seating areas for wireless device users, group study rooms, two conference rooms and a meeting room available for before and after-hours use.
Unique to the Lorton Library branch will be its co-location with the Lorton Community Action Center and the brand-new Lorton Community Center, which will include a senior center, teen space, sensory room, art room and gymnasium. The Department of Public Works and Environmental Services is managing design and construction of the new shared facility.
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Positivity Project
This week the character trait that everyone is learning about is Cheering Others Success! We are always encouraging our students to acknowledge the great work of others!
We encourage you to continue having conversations with your children about the character strengths that they are learning about weekly as part of our Positivity Project here at school.
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