Raymond School District Cancels All Non-Essential Events and Travel

RAYMOND — Superintendent Tina McCoy reports the school district will be cancelling non-essential events, activities and trips until further notice starting Monday, March 16.

This includes local, statewide and out-of-state travel for students. Additionally, athletic and co-curricular scheduled events, including the Choral Monster Concert scheduled for March 17, are temporarily postponed. All large gatherings will also be postponed until further notice.

Any parent or guardian who is uncomfortable sending their child to school during this uncertain time should send a note to the school informing the school of the reason for the absence. Any student who does not attend school due to family health concerns will be considered as excused during that time. Classwork will be assigned and students will be able to complete that work at home.

The district is working to arrange a videotaping of the Monster Concert, which residents may be able to view on local public access television. 

At this time, the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (NH DHHS) is reporting that there are two positive cases and four presumptive positive cases of the virus in the state. There are no confirmed or presumptive cases in  Raymond at this time.

The Raymond School District is closely following recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and NH DHHS to prevent the spread of the virus. Officials are also communicating with the New Hampshire Interscholastic Athletic Association and the state’s Department of Education.

“We understand the importance and value of the events we are postponing, and this decision was made after careful deliberation,” Superintendent McCoy said. “Postponing these events is being done out of an abundance of caution to keep our students and community safe. We will continue to monitor the situation and share information as it becomes available.”

The district is also working on ways to help families receive refunds or recoup expenses for cancelled field trips. 

The novel coronavirus has sparked an outbreak of respiratory disease with symptoms that may appear 2-14 days after exposure including fever, cough and shortness of breath, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Information indicates that most COVID-19 illness is mild.

The COVID-19 situation is very fluid, and new information and guidelines are being posted by the CDC on a regular basis. The CDC offers the following guidance for how COVID-19 spreads. 

If anyone displays symptoms of COVID-19, including a fever, cough or shortness of breath, they should not come to work or school and they are advised to contact their primary care physician. Any student who has to miss school due to quarantining or COVID-19 related health issues will have their absences excused. Students who need to stay home will have classwork assigned and will be given the opportunity to complete their work at home. 

Superintendent McCoy also wishes to share the following prevention tips from the NH DHHS:

• Wash your hands often with soap and hot water, for a minimum of 20 seconds, and use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol content) if soap and water are not readily available.
• When you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth with a tissue and dispose of the tissue afterward. Lastly, be sure sure to wash your hands.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
• If you are feeling ill and/or have a fever, do not go to work or school.
• Avoid close contact with anyone who is sick.
• Clean and disinfect objects and surfaces.
• Get a flu shot.

For more information, visit the NH DHHS website here and the CDC’s website here.

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