COVID-19 Information
Coronavirus (COVID-19) & Health Updates
The health and safety of our children and community is our most important concern. We will keep you informed as any information changes and will update this page with information about COVID-19 as it relates to City of Fountains School.
Given the complex and rapidly evolving situation, we encourage COFS families to visit the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Missouri Department of Health or Kansas Department of Health & Environment for the most detailed and up-to-date information on COVID-19.
Announcements
We have released our Response plan for the 2021-2022 school year:
COVID Response Plan 2021-22, Revised January 2022
COVID-19 Response & Reopening Plan, Revised August 7, 2020
Update: Extended School Closure, April 10, 2020
Announcement of Extended School Closure, March 20, 2020
Announcement of School Closure beginning March 16, 2020
Message to City of Fountains School, March 13, 2020
Please bookmark this page. We will update this page with information about COVID-19 as it relates to City of Fountains School.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Resources
Health Organizations
- Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
- World Health Organization
- Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services
- Kansas Department of Health & Environment
- Children and COVID-19: State-Level Data Report (AAP)
- Kansas City COVID-19 Information Center
- Medical Section at the Goetheanum
Additional Resources
- Talking to Children About Coronavirus (COVID-19) (American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry)
- How to talk to children about difficult news (American Psychological Association)
- Explaining the News to Our Kids (Common Sense Media)
- How to Talk to Kids About the Coronavirus Outbreak (TIME)
- How to Talk to Kids About Coronavirus (New York Times)
- Audio Series: “Troubling Times: Anxiety Rising, Schools Closing, and Way More Time at Home With The Kids” (Simplicity Parenting)
- COVI-book (Manuela Cruz of mindheart.co)
Frequently Asked Questions
What will school look like in the Fall?
With the release of our COVID-19 Response Plan on August 25, 2021, we must acknowledge the uncertain circumstances we’re living in – these dynamic times demand adaptability and it’s imperative we remain flexible throughout the next school year together. We’ve created reopening plans with the intention that our procedures may evolve as our situation does.
How will the decision be made to close the school during the school year?
The health and safety of our students, staff, and families is our top priority. While COFS monitors other school closings including those in the Kansas City Public School District and other independent schools, COFS makes decisions independently based on our school’s unique needs and situation, as well as guidance from external agencies such as local health departments and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As we did in Spring 2020, we will adhere to a local mandated closure, during which we will transition to remote learning.
Under what circumstances will the school close?
We will follow local and/or state health authorities’ recommendations or orders to close, especially in the event of a COVID-19 outbreak within our community. We may, out of an abundance of caution and in consideration of the school’s unique needs and situation, close even if health officials don’t deem it necessary.
What can families, students and school personnel do to keep from getting sick and spreading COVID-19?
The CDC recommends the following preventive actions to help prevent the spread of COVID-19:
- 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 when your hands are visibly dirty.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Stay home when you are sick (and do not return to school until you are fever-free for 72 hours without medication). We ask you to strictly adhere to this policy.
- Cough or sneeze into your elbow or a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash hands.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
When should I keep my child home from school?
Do not send your child to school if you suspect they may be ill and has exhibited any of the following signs or symptoms:
- An elevated temperature of 100 degrees or more during the last 24 hours.
- Vomiting within the last 24 hours.
- Repeated episodes of diarrhea within the last 24 hours.
- Chills, loss of appetite, unusual fatigue, and/or lingering headache.
- A significant amount of nasal discharge, particularly if the discharge is yellow or greenish in color.
- A persistent cough.
- A significant sore throat.
- An earache.
What additional steps is the school taking at this time?
The school will take extra care with cleaning and disinfection processes, with particular attention to common surfaces.
- Additional disinfecting of high-touch surfaces by faculty and staff is happening at regular intervals throughout the school day.
- All faculty and staff are required to maintain appropriate hand washing and sanitizing protocols upon entering the building and throughout the day.
We continue to closely monitor the situation and will keep you updated as things change.