Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Updated: April 2, 2020
Posted: March 9, 2020

Resources for Families 

• Pennsylvania health secretary: Children shouldn't participate in playdates, other activities due to coronavirus
  WGAL
• Information for Parents to Help Their Children Deal With Anxiety During the Covid-19 Pandemic
  UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital/Addiction Medicine Services
• Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) and Children:  Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Talking with children about Coronavirus Disease 2019: Messages for parents, school staff, and others working with children
  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Video - Coronavirus: How to Teach Kids About the Outbreak
  BrainPOP
• Talking to Children About COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
  A Parent Resource from the National Assoc. of School Psychologists and National Assoc. of School Nurses
• Parent/Caregiver Guide to Helping Families Cope With the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
  The National Child Traumatic Stress Network
• Talking to Kids About the Coronavirus: Kids worry more when they're kept in the dark
  Child Mind Institute
• Are your kids anxious about coronavirus? Dr. G is here to help
  KidsBurgh.org
• How to Talk to Your Kids About Coronavirus
  PBS.org
• Free internet for low-income families
  Comcast

Updated: April 2, 2020
Posted: Feb. 6, 2020

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Upper St. Clair School District officials are in touch with the Allegheny County Health Department, the Pennsylvania Department of Health and the CDC and we will continue to closely monitor the pandemic and follow all recommendations and guidelines. Please know that our facilities staff follow best practices in regard to daily cleaning to ensure that our schools remain safe and healthy for our students and staff.

ACHD has partnered with United Way 2-1-1 to offer a 24/7 hotline to address questions and concerns about COVID-19. Please call 888-856-2774 to speak with a representative. Language services are available.

As this outbreak is a virus, the best defense is to follow the same precautions recommended to prevent the spread of the cold and flu. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers the following practical advice: 

• 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.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• 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.

Wear a facemask if you are sick

• If you are sick: You should wear a facemask when you are around other people (e.g., sharing a room or vehicle) and before you enter a healthcare provider’s office. If you are not able to wear a facemask (for example, because it causes trouble breathing), then you should do your best to cover your coughs and sneezes, and people who are caring for you should wear a facemask if they enter your room. Learn what to do if you are sick.

• If you are NOT sick: You do not need to wear a facemask unless you are caring for someone who is sick (and they are not able to wear a facemask). Facemasks may be in short supply and they should be saved for caregivers.

The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus.

We will continue to provide further updates. In the meantime, information is available online from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Pennsylvania Department of Health as well as the Allegheny County Health Department (links below).

Should you have any concerns regarding your child’s health and safety, please contact your health care provider, school nurse and/or building principal. Thank you for helping to keep our schools and, most importantly, our students safe and healthy.

Resource Links

• Coronavirus (COVID-19) (coronavirus.gov - created by the CDC, White House and U.S. Dept of Health & Human Services)
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
• What To Do if You Are Sick (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
• Frequently Asked Questions (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pennsylvania Overview (Pennsylvania Department of Health - Coronavirus)
• COVID-19 in Allegheny County (Allegheny County Health Department)
• Allegheny County COVID-19 Map (Allegheny County Health Department)