Dear UACHS students and families,

As you are likely aware, the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) has become a serious concern throughout the United States and around the world. At this time, there is only one confirmed case in Hudson County. Nevertheless, we want you to know that the UACHS administration, faculty, and staff are actively engaged in both keeping all members of the UACHS family healthy, while also preparing for any potential impact.

Please know that we are following the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH), and the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) regarding guidelines for prevention. NJCU, which provides housekeeping and maintenance for our school building, is performing enhanced daily cleaning and sanitizing procedures throughout the school and of all surfaces that are frequently touched. Hand sanitizer is also available to students and staff throughout the school.

We encourage frequent hand washing for students and staff and advise those who are ill to remain home. As recommended by the CDC, facemasks are not a protective measure and meant to be used for those who are ill or experiencing symptoms. Please do not send your child to school wearing a mask. If your child comes to school wearing a mask, we will assume they are ill and contact you to retrieve your child immediately.

While taking these preventative measures, we are also, as directed by the NJDOE, making preparations for the possibility that a spread of the virus in our area may impact school attendance, and/or require closure of the school. Fortunately, our technology resources will allow us to continue to provide meaningful instruction to students during any such closure. We scheduled a half-day for students on Wednesday, March 11, so that teachers and administration could continue to design instructional plans that would allow student learning to continue if the school was required to close for any period of time. We are also consulting with local and state authorities to determine the safest and most feasible way to provide lunch to students during a school closure.

If it becomes necessary to close, we will alert the UACHS community through our regular communication system SwiftK12, the UACHS website and app, and the school website: www.uachs.org. In the meantime, please make sure that we have your current telephone number and email address.

As recommended by the NJDOH, if you have a child who travels to an area of the world impacted by the Coronavirus, please contact the principal and/or school nurse prior to sending your child back to school. Please notify the school only about your own child/children who have recently traveled to an area impacted by the Coronavirus. We cannot discuss the health concerns of other students due to confidentiality restrictions.

Everyday actions are perhaps the most important measures we can all take to prevent the spread of COVID-19 or any respiratory disease. These include the following:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

• Stay home when you are sick.

• Keep your children home when they are sick. (Children should not return to school unless they have been fever-free without medication for 24 hours. A doctor’s note clearing the student to return to school will be required.)

• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.

• If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty. For information about hand washing, see CDC’s hand washing website: https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/index.html

UACHS is working closely with the appropriate authorities to ensure that we are following best practices and the most current recommendations regarding COVID-19. We will continue to update you as we get more information. In the event that we are required to close, communication to our families and community will be a top priority.

We encourage you to check the CDC website for reliable and up-to-date information for schools. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/index.html

We appreciate your help in supporting the health of our students and our community.

Sincerely,

Mr. Erie Lugo, Jr.

Dean/Principal