A Message from ASHA President, Dr. Kayce Solari Williams
A Message from ASHA Executive Director, Dr. Jeanie Alter
Out of an abundance of caution, the ASHA staff is practicing social distancing and working remotely. This may mean slower response times. However, we are still supporting our school health professionals no matter the local conditions. We know that there are no clear answers about what is right for your students. Schools must work with the circumstances and seek information and guidance from state health departments to determine the best course of action. For up-to-date information, we encourage you to visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for their Interim Guidance for Administrators of U.S. Childcare Programs and K-12 Schools. We urge you to consider the educational continuity, food security, and safety of students no matter what decisions are made.
On March 16, the President announced the Coronavirus Guidelines for America – 15 Days to Slow the Spread. The guidelines include actions like:
We encourage parents to set limits with their children of all ages to reduce interaction. This may include canceling plans or scheduled activities, not allowing play dates, or avoiding visits with grandparents for the time being.
Be assured, schools will resume at some point and plans for re-entry and recovery will be needed. ASHA is working with CDC to best prepare schools for the return to normal operations. This may involve increased mental health services (e.g., stress, bereavement), support for missed instructional time, school immunization clinics, and preparing for the next event.
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