Lake Butler Community Page News Tidbits

A message from Carlton Faulk, UC Superintendent of Schools & Sandra Crawford, RN, School Health Coordinator-Florida Department of Health, Union County:

The Union County School District has continued to track updates regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19) in collaboration with the Florida Department of Health in Union County. In an effort to protect our students and staff, I have directed several actions for the district and schools to decrease the spread of respiratory illnesses like the Coronavirus.

The following actions are in place:

Sanitization of Facilities:
• Increased cleaning by custodial staff of frequently touched surfaces such as desks, counters,
bathrooms, doorknobs and buses.
• The District is prepared for extensive disinfecting of an impacted facility with a rapid response team
should there be a confirmed case of Coronavirus.
• All facilities have 70% alcohol-based hand sanitizer available to students and staff and all are
encouraged to wash their hands frequently.

Student Attendance:
• Parents are encouraged to keep sick children home.
• Students or staff who become sick at school should be sent home as soon as possible.
• District will monitor changes of absentee patterns throughout schools.
• Normal school attendance policies remain in effect for all students.

Student and Employee Travel:
• Any school-sponsored or district-sponsored travel to areas deemed to be high-risk by the CDC will be
cancelled.
• Any existing out-of-county travel that is not in a high-risk area will be reviewed on a case by case basis.
• Until further notice, all new out-of-country and out-of-state travel requests for school-related
activities will not be approved.
• Until further notice, new in-state travel will be reviewed on a case by case basis.

Other Directives:
• The School Health Coordinator is continuing to update Clinic Aides daily on any changes from the
Florida Department of Health and the CDC.
• The District will take direction from the Department of Health should there be a confirmed case of
Coronavirus in our county and local health officials will provide guidance for any school dismissals.
• The District is working to find the best way to deliver instruction if a student is required to stay home
by the direction of the Department of Health.

Please continue to follow best practices from the Department of Health during Flu Season.

• Get a flu vaccine
• Take everyday preventative actions to help stop the spread of germs
• Take antivirals as prescribed
• If you are sick, stay home
• Wash your hands often with soap and warm water, for at least 20 seconds
• Carry and use a minimum of 60% alcohol-based hand sanitizer
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze
• Monitor your symptoms
• Call ahead before visiting your doctor

Please see this helpful flyer from the CDC related to handwashing and the use of alcohol-based sanitizer. The Union County School District is committed to being proactive in this evolving situation to support students and families. Please know we take direction and follow guidelines from officials at the Department of Health.

Official Statement from Carlton Faulk, as well as the CDC Handwashing and Hand Sanitizer Use Flyer: