King Philip, Norfolk, Wrentham and Plainville School Districts to Close As Precaution Against Coronavirus

Schools to Close through at Least March 27

The superintendents of the King Philip Regional School District, Norfolk Public Schools, Wrentham Public Schools and Plainville Public Schools announce that all four school districts will be closing their facilities for the next two weeks out of an abundance of caution in an effort to reduce the risk of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) to the school communities.

District leadership from the three communities have collaborated and come to the decision to close schools temporarily after significant consideration, and in an effort to proactively mitigate the risk of exposure to the virus to students and staff.

From Monday, March 16 through Friday, March 27, all public schools in Wrentham, Norfolk and Plainville will be closed.

The decision was made after careful consideration by district leaders after reviewing the facts and circumstances of the rapidly unfolding novel coronavirus crisis, which has been designated a global pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Tri-town school leaders are closely following guidelines outlined by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and cancelling all before- and after-school events, including athletic games and practices, for the next two weeks. MIAA spring sports have been postponed until March 30. These precautions are in an effort to limit large gatherings and practice social distancing.

While students and educators are out of the building, custodial staff will conduct a comprehensive and thorough disinfecting and sanitizing effort throughout school buildings in each of the three communities. This effort is in addition to the daily cleaning regimen the district has implemented in recent weeks in light of the virus and as is customary during flu season.

It should be noted that schools will be only making up the five designated snow days and the school year will not go beyond the 185th day noted each districts’ school calendar.

Symptoms of the virus include fever, cough and shortness of breath, and can appear between two and 14 days after exposure, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Anyone who experiences symptoms and believes they may have the virus is advised to contact their health care provider. For more information from the CDC for those who may have the virus, click here. 

School officials also wish to encourage students and staff to follow recommended preventative steps from the DPH: 

• Practice good hand hygiene. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds including under your fingernails. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol content) can be used when soap and water are not available.
• Keep your hands away from your face.
• Cover your nose and mouth when sneezing and coughing with a tissue and discard it immediately. Cough into the sleeve over your elbow instead of your hand. Wash your hands often when coughing and sneezing.
• Stay away from people who are sick and stay home when you are sick.

For more information, visit the DPH website by clicking here and the CDC’s website by clicking here.

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