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March 9, 2020

Canton Families and Staff:

As stated in my message earlier today, we are keeping all lines of communication open with our staff and families regarding any potential exposure to COVID-19 in order to keep all students and staff safe. We are working case-by-case with staff and families who may have been indirectly connected with this ongoing COVID-19 health situation.

An employee of the school district notified me later today of possible indirect exposure to COVID-19 from a family member and has entered into a self-quarantine. The family member and employee are asymptomatic. The employee will be staying home strictly as a precaution and will be able to return to work Monday, March 23, as long as neither display symptoms. Should that occur, the employee will follow the guidelines from the Department Public of Health and our local Board of Health.

The risk of contracting COVID-19 in Canton remains low and we continue with our practices of disinfecting the schools and school buses, handwashing regularly and providing hand sanitizers. All Canton schools are operating normally, in accordance with DPH guidelines.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), symptoms of the virus appear within 2-14 days of exposure. The DPH reports that symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, shortness of breath and pneumonia in severe cases.

Local, State and Federal Health officials are encouraging residents to take the following precautions to prevent infectious diseases, such as the flu and COVID-19, from spreading:

  • Wash hands frequently, with soap and water, for a minimum of 20 seconds.
  • When sick yourself, stay home to protect others.
  • Always cover your cough or sneeze.
  • Staying home when ill and not returning to school within 24 hours of having a fever.
  • Receiving preventative vaccines such as the flu shot.
  • Remaining 6 feet away from individuals who are sick.

Also, information on the novel coronavirus can be accessed on the CDC website here and Massachusetts DPH here.

Thank you for your continued partnership as we manage this challenging health issue.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Fischer-Mueller, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools

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