Here is the update sent to parents and staff by the Fort Mill School District:
COVID-19, more commonly known as the Coronavirus, has continued to spread overseas and there have now been confirmed or presumed cases in the United States. Government agencies are working to prevent or contain any cases identified in the U.S. Our district continues to monitor the situation, and we are working closely with the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SC DHEC) and the South Carolina Department of Education to stay informed of any developments of confirmed cases in the state. We will implement recommendations and follow guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), SC DHEC, and the South Carolina Department of Education as they are determined.
SC DHEC has announced it is investigating presumptive positive cases and positive cases of COVID-19 in South Carolina. As we continue to monitor developments, preventative measures from DHEC and the CDC have not changed our plans at this time.
We continue to emphasize to our students and staff the importance of preventative measures, including washing your hands frequently, covering your cough and staying at home if you’re sick.
If you have any questions or concerns, contact your health care provider or call the DHEC Care Line at 1-855-472-3432.
Residents who are showing symptoms such as fever, cough or shortness of breath should call their personal doctor or healthcare provider. If an individual doesn’t have a primary care physician, MUSC Health is providing free telehealth screening to all South Carolinians. Anyone experiencing symptoms can visit MUSC.care and use the promo code COVID19 and be screened without having to leave your home.
The following information addresses questions you may have regarding school closures and planned field trips.
Possibility of Closures
At this time, we consider closure of schools for an extended time due to health concerns to be unlikely, but possible. The decision to close schools due to Coronavirus would only be made under direct guidance from SC DHEC and the SC Department of Education. In addition, the SC Department of Education, in partnership with SC DHEC and other state leaders, are exploring flexibility in the unlikely event of extended school closures.
Field Trips
The district is monitoring all of our field trips and school-sponsored travel and may cancel trips as necessary based on travel advisories from the CDC. At this time, there are no travel restrictions within the U.S. As always, parents reserve the right to limit their children’s participation in field trips due to safety concerns. The district cannot guarantee refunds on prepaid travel expenses.
We will continue to update our district website with information as it is made available along with useful links to resources about the virus and preventative measures. Thank you for helping us keep our community safe and healthy!
The Fort Mill School District