COVID-19 Remain Calm Protect Yourself and Your Community

The risk for contracting COVID-19 remains low in the Panhandle. There are no known cases at this time.  We recommend that you call Panhandle Public Health District (308-262-5764) if you develop a fever and symptoms of respiratory illness, such as cough or difficulty breathing, and have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19 or have recently traveled to an area with ongoing spread.  Chadron Community hospital asks that you call 308-432-5586 before seeking health care. It is important that health care providers know you are coming so that proper precautions can be in place.   

People can help protect themselves from COVID-19 and other respiratory infections by:  

• Washing hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water aren’t available, use an alcohol-based sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with sick people and stay home if you are sick. Social distancing has been key in reducing spread.  
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

The CDC does NOT currently recommend the general public use facemasks.

PPHD is working with state health officials to continue to take action to prevent the spread of disease and protect the health of Nebraskans, including:

• Sharing the latest guidance and information with hospitals, health care providers, first responders, and local and state labs.  We have been holding weekly updates with hospitals and clinics.
• Assessing our health care system’s readiness to identify, monitor, and treat patients with coronavirus disease 2019. 
• Engaging in active and ongoing communication with state and federal partners as part of the overall national response to this emerging public health threat.
• Reviewing and enhancing response plans with emergency management and partners to be ready for the detection of COVID-19 in the panhandle.
• With the state and other local health department partners, we have a system in place to track and monitor cases in an effort to immediately detect secondary cases and minimize the potential for ongoing, undetected, person-to-person transmission.  There are no cases in the Panhandle.  

Panhandle Public Health District continues to monitor the unfolding COVID-19 epidemic to anticipate its impact on the Panhandle.  We are working as a unified command with Region 21, 22, and 23 Emergency Managers, and Scotts Bluff County Health Department on this evolving situation.  We will continue to communicate important updates to the public and our partners. The CDC is putting out updated guidance daily; for the most up to date information visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.

To learn more about COVID-19, go to https://www.cdc.gov/covid19.

PPHD will keep you posted in this quickly changing environment.

Panhandle Public Health District is working together to improve the health, safety, and quality of life for all who live, learn, work and play in the Panhandle.  Our vision is that we are a healthier and safer Panhandle Community.    Visit our website www.pphd.org.

Please Note...

A parent of a student at Chadron Public Schools is being tested for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).  Panhandle Public Health District and Chadron Public Schools have been in planning meetings and preparing for this situation.  PPHD advised us early this afternoon of the situation and that there was no cause for alarm and that the test results will be released as soon as they are available in 24-48 hours.  The parent and student have followed guidance by health officials to self-quarantine. The health care systems followed proper PPE and are not at an increased risk because the parent followed proper procedures and called prior to seeking treatment.   

If there are any questions please contact PPHD at 308-262-5764.

Coronavirus Update 3.9.20

Dr. Matt Blomstedt, Commissioner of Education, held a Zoom meeting with Superintendents Sunday.  A community case of coronavirus was confirmed in Fremont. Fremont schools will be closed this week in an attempt to stop the spread of the virus. The Fremont case is unique in that there was a specific event where a number of Fremont students were potentially exposed and the school district was three days away from spring break. It was also shared that there have been no fatalities for anyone under the age of 10, and only one between the ages of 10-20. This includes China. 

The Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) created a website with Coronavirus resources https://www.education.ne.gov/publichealth/resources/.  The emphasis continues on Prevention and Preparation.

Dannette Smith, CEO of DHHS, shared if people are sick, they need to stay home. The DHHS website is http://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/Coronavirus.aspx.

The emphasis continues on Prevention and Preparation.  CPS teachers and administrators are working on strategies for continuing instruction in the event of a prolonged school closure.  NDE is encouraging innovative solutions to maintain a sense of normalcy for students and families. If prolonged school closures become necessary, NDE will work with schools concerning rule and regulatory issues.  

CPS policies are continuing to be evaluated and revised if needed.  Custodial staffs continue to follow recommended procedures from the CDC.

Panhandle Public Health (PPH) continues to provide school districts with updates, information, and resources (http://pphd.org).  School closure decisions will be handled regionally and will come from PPH.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you need more information.

Sincerely,

Dr. Caroline B. Winchester

Superintendent

Cardinals of the Month ~ February

Chadron Primary School celebrated our February Cardinals of the Month.  These students were chosen by their teachers as students who excel in the classroom!  These kiddos have gone above and beyond our three Cardinal Rules of 1)Be Safe, 2)Be Respectful, and 3) Be Responsible.  These children have been great examples for other students and we are so excited to honor them with a breakfast.  We were able to take over the Teachers' Lounge to enjoy our morning and we want to congratulate them all for a job well done!

Teachers' Lounge Take Over

Being silly on CrAzY hat day

Back Row ~ 2nd Grade:  Brycen L., Kaitlyn F., Lilliann O., and Waylon W.
Middle Row ~ 1st Grade:  Aiden T., Serenity J., Adrianna R., and Carter J.
Front Row ~ Kindergarten:  Desire'e K., Zeta D., Castiel B., and Robin O.

Supt. Letter on Contagious Illness - Prevention and Preparedness

Dear Parents, Students, and Patrons:

We want to update you on Chadron Public Schools district plan regarding COVID-19 (commonly referred to as the coronavirus). Current Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidance is emphasizing prevention and preparation.  As with any contagious illness, we are working closely with Panhandle Public Health District (http://pphd.org) and will follow all guidelines they share with us.  The district is monitoring the developing information related to the spread of COVID-19.  To date, the district is unaware of any native cases of COVID-19 being confirmed in our state. In preparation, the district is reviewing its relevant policies and procedures so we will be prepared to respond to any outbreak of communicable disease that may occur.  We added a Pandemic Plan to the District Safety plan. Should this situation interfere with the district’s ordinary operations or schedule, you will be provided notice in the customary fashion. 

Since this is the height of cold and flu season, Parents/Guardians, please make sure your emergency contact information is up to date. 

This is a dynamic situation and information will likely change moving forward.  We encourage you to remain informed about the spread of the coronavirus, and would recommend that you visit the CDC website( http://www.cdc.gov )for further information as it develops.  We would also encourage you to use this opportunity to remind your students of the importance of getting rest and washing hands, especially during cold and flu season. 

As a best practice for overall health in cold and influenza season, the CDC recommends that individuals receive the influenza vaccination and engage in everyday, preventive measures to prevent the spread of germs and avoid illness, such as:

·     Wash hand frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.  If soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based hand sanitizers.

·     Avoid touching eyes, mouth, and nose with unwashed hands.

·     Avoid close contact with individuals who are sick.

·     Stay home when you are sick. The CDC recommends that individuals remain home for at least 24 hours after you no longer have a fever without medication or signs of a fever (i.e. chills, feeling warm, flushed appearance).  

·     Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then immediately discard the tissue in the trash.

·     Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

·     Take any antiviral medications prescribed to you as instructed.

Thank you for your attention.  Please feel free to contact me for further information and please pass this information along to others.

Sincerely,

Dr. Caroline B. Winchester

Superintendent

Title VI Indian Education Parent Committee Meeting

The meeting is Monday, March 2 @ 3:30 PM in CO Conference Room.  All Native American families and Native American high school students welcome.  At the meeting we will be reviewing committee bylaws and the Title VI application.

Penny Carnival ~ Friday, March 6th

Penny Carnival

Theme: Start Small and Build From There

When: Friday, March 6, 2020

Time: 6:00-7:30 p.m.

Where: Chadron Primary Gymnasium

Bring your family and friends to our 4th Annual Penny Carnival. 

All we are asking is for you to bring a penny for admission to our 

Penny Carnival. Every child will receive a passport to play games 

and collect stamps. When your passport has 7 stamps from any of our 9 booths, head on over to our lego station and collect 1 scoop of legos. You may repeat this twice before earning stamps for a prize.  We will also have a Cake Walk, where the prize is a cake for you to take home. There will be a raffle; tickets will be $1.00 or 6 for $5.00. Winner gets to choose a Lego set to take home. We ask for supervision over the age of 13 for children. Thank you! We will have refreshments.  

We hope to see you there!