COVID-19 Archives

Update 05/19/21:

VWCS COVID-19 Update 05/19/21

Update 05/07/21:

VWCS COVID-19 Update 05/07/21

Update 05/05/21:

VWCS COVID-19 Update 05/05/21

Update 05/03/21:

VWCS COVID-19 Update 05/03/21

Update 04/30/21:

VWCS COVID-19 Update 04/30/21

Update 04/21/21:

VWCS COVID-19 Update 04/21/21

Update 04/13/21:

VWCS COVID-19 Update 04/13/21

Update 03/29/21:

VWCS COVID-19 Update 03/29/21

Update 03/23/21:

VWCS COVID-19 Update 03/23/21

Update 02/19/21:

VWCS COVID-19 Update 02/19/21

Update 02/17/21:

VWCS COVID-19 Update 02/17/21

Update 02/15/21:

VWCS COVID-19 Update 02/15/21

Update 02/12/21:

VWCS COVID-19 Update 02/12/21

Update 02/09/21:

VWCS COVID-19 Update 02/09/21

Update 02/08/21:

VWCS COVID-19 Update 02/08/21

Update 02/04/21:

VWCS COVID-19 Update 02/04/21

Update 01/27/21:

VWCS COVID-19 Update 01/27/21

Update 01/20/21:

VWCS COVID-19 Update 01/20/21

Update 01/19/21:

VWCS COVID-19 Update 01/19/21

Update 01/15/21:

VWCS COVID-19 Update 01/15/21

Update 01/14/21:

VWCS COVID-19 Update 01/14/21

Update 01/12/21:

VWCS COVID-19 Update 01/12/21

Update 01/11/21:

VWCS COVID-19 Update 01/11/21

Update 01/07/21:

VWCS COVID-19 Update 01/07/21

Update 12/15/20:

VWCS COVID-19 Update 12/15/20

Update 12/14/20:

VWCS COVID-19 Update 12/14/20

Update 12/9/20:

VWCS COVID-19 Update 12/9/20

Click here for more information (Elementary & Middle School)

Update 12/7/20:

VWCS COVID-19 Update 12/7/20

Click here for more information (Elementary)

Update 12/2/20:

VWCS COVID-19 Update 12/2/20

Update 11/20/20:

VWCS COVID-19 Update 11/20/20

Click here for more information (ECC)

Update 11/19/20:

VWCS COVID-19 Update 11/19/20

Click here for more information (MS/HS)

Update 11/18/20:

VWCS COVID-19 Update 11/18/20

Click here for more information

Update 11/17/20:

VWCS COVID-19 Update 11/17/20

Click here for more information (Elementary School)

Click here for more information (Middle School)

Update 11/16/20:

VWCS COVID-19 Update 11/16/20

Click here for more information (Elementary School)

Update 11/13/20:

VWCS COVID-19 Update 11/13/20

Update 11/12/20:

VWCS COVID-19 Update 11/12/20

Click here for more information (MS/HS/Goedde Building)

Update 11/11/20:

VWCS COVID-19 Update 11/11/20

Click here for more information (Middle School)

Update 11/09/20:

VWCS COVID-19 Update 11/09/20

Click here for more information(ECC & VWHS).

Update 11/09/20:

VWCS COVID-19 Update 11/09/20

Update 11/06/20:

VWCS COVID-19 Update 11/06/20

Update 11/03/20:

VWCS COVID-19 Update 11/03/20

Update 10/30/20:

VWCS COVID-19 Update 10/30/20

Update 10/26/20:

VWCS COVID-19 Update 10/26/20

Update 10/23/20:

VWCS COVID-19 Update 10/23/20

Update 10/20/20:

VWCS COVID-19 Update 10/20/20

Update 09/23/20:

VWCS COVID-19 Update 9/23/20

Click here for printable PDF

Update 09/17/20:

COVID-19 Update VWCS

Update 08/20/20:

Director's Order Requiring the Use of Facial Coverings in Child Education Settings

Click here for printable PDF.

UPDATE 08/05/20:

Frequently Asked Questions About Covid-19 Isolation and Quarantine (from the Van Wert County Health Department)

How do I get a COVID19 test?

Testing in Van Wert County is done with a physician’s order at Van Wert North and Van Wert Hospital so you must contact your doctor first. If you do not have a physician, you can call Family Health Care of Northwest Ohio at 419-238-6747 where you will receive a tele-visit and will be tested. After being tested your child should be quarantined at home until the test results are given to you.

What if my child tests positive for COVID 19?

If your child tests positive for COVID19 you will be informed of the results by the physician who ordered your test.
The Health Department will contact you and will ask you about your child’s contacts. A contact is anyone within 6ft for 15 minutes or more.
The Health Department will contact the school to find out who within the school is deemed to be a contact of your child.
The Health Department will call all of the contacts of your child based on the information received from you and the school.
Your child who tested positive will be isolated for 10 days. This means that your child will need to stay at home and not be in contact with anyone else. If possible, keep them away from other household family members and have them wear a mask when this cannot be avoided. Any surface they touch must be disinfected to prevent the spread of this virus. If they cannot have their own bathroom, you will need to disinfect the bathroom after every use. They are not to attend school or go to practice, etc. They should be in contact with no one except for those unavoidable household contacts.
After 10 days they can return to school if they have no fever for 24 hours without fever-reducing drugs and their symptoms are improving. According to your school policy, since they have been out for more than 5 days, they will need to have a doctor clear them to return to school.

What happens if my child is determined to be a contact of a positive case?

If the health department calls you and notifies you that your child has been identified as a contact to a positive case, they will need to quarantine for 14 days.
During this quarantine, your child will need to stay at home. They will not be attending school, going to practice or going to work. Quarantine helps prevent spread of disease that can occur before a person knows they are sick or if they are infected with the virus without feeling symptoms. People in quarantine should stay home, separate themselves from others, monitor their health, and follow directions from the Health Department. Being tested will not and cannot change the quarantine time.
The Health Department will help you register for a contact tracing system. You will report your symptoms daily throughout this system.
If your child does not develop symptoms, you will be allowed to return to school on the 15th day.
If your child develops symptoms you will need to contact your physician to determine if a COVID 19 test should be done. Your child cannot come to school with symptoms and will need to stay at home until the test results come back.
If your child tests positive follow the section above on “What happens if my child tests positive…”

If you have questions about isolation or quarantine, please call the Van Wert County Health Department at 419-238-0808. We cannot share with you information about a person who tests positive but we will answer general questions and help to determine if your child is a contact of a positive.

Click here to download a printable PDF

UPDATE 08/05/20:

Mask Update

Update 07/31/20:

Reopening VWCS 2020-2021

Update 07/24/20:

Van Wert County Schools Announce Reopening Plan Agreement for 2020-2021 School Year

Update 04/20/20:

Van Wert City Schools Closed for the Remainder of the School Year

UPDATE 3/30/20:

VWCS to Remain Closed Until May 1

UPDATE 3/19/20:

VWCS to Begin E-Learning on Thursday, March 26

UPDATE 3/12/20:

Van Wert City Schools to Close March 16 – April 3.

Click here for official statement from the Van Wert Health Department

UPDATE 3/11/20:

The rumor that Van Wert City Schools are evacuating or closing due to a case of COVID-19 is not true.

SUPERINTENDENT'S MESSAGE - March 9, 2020

Van Wert City Schools is working closely with the Van Wert County Health Department as we monitor the growing concern of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We are working diligently to create a plan in the event of a confirmed case at VWCS. For daily updates, please visit one of the following websites:

Van Wert County Health Department
Ohio Department of Health (click here for the Coronavirus Webpage)
Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

We would like to remind everyone of the CDC's recommendations for preventing illness:

Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
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.
Follow CDC’s recommendations for using a face mask.
- CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a face mask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.
- Face masks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of face masks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).
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.

We thank you for your patience and support as we continue to monitor the situation. We will continue to update you as more information becomes available.

Ms. Vicki Brunn
Superintendent

QUICK REFERENCE GUIDES

Share Facts about COVID-19

Know the facts about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and help stop the spread of rumors.

What You Need to Know About Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

What is coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)? Can people in the U.S. get COVID-19? Get the answers to these questions are more.

What to Do If You Are Sick With Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

If you are sick with COVID-19 or suspect you are infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, follow these steps to help prevent the disease from spreading to people in your home and community.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Provided by the Ohio Department of Education

1. What is coronavirus?
According to the Ohio Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), coronavirus (also known as COVID-19) is a respiratory virus strain that has only spread in people since December 2019. The CDC continues to consider the health risk from coronavirus to be low among the general public in the U.S. However, the virus continues to be an issue of concern internationally, and there is potential for increased person-to-person transmission to occur in this country.

According to the Ohio Department of Health, symptoms of coronavirus in people who have been exposed can include fever, cough and shortness of breath. The symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as long as 14 days after exposure. Coronavirus can be deadly, yet some confirmed patients have experienced only mild symptoms.

2. What guidance is the Ohio Department of Education providing to school and district leaders about how to plan for the coronavirus?
Ohio’s priority is to support the success of the whole child, which includes being attentive to students’ health and wellness. Locally, this means that school leaders make decisions that prioritize the health and safety of students.

With that priority focus in place, the Ohio Department of Education urges school and district leaders to consider the following practical action steps:

A: Stay current on the latest coronavirus information.

Make it your business to understand the latest coronavirus developments. The status of coronavirus is changing rapidly. Following are key resources you might want to check daily:

For the latest Ohio-specific developments, please visit the Ohio Department of Health’s coronavirus disease 2019 resources webpage.

For the latest from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, please visit the CDC coronavirus disease 2019 webpage.

Access additional resources regarding coronavirus and schools from the U.S. Department of Education.

Resources regarding coronavirus from the National School Boards Association also are available.

B: Review and update your school safety plans.

The Ohio Department of Education encourages school staff and administrators to use this opportunity to review their school safety plans. Each school building in Ohio is required to submit a safety plan that outlines procedures for emergency situations. As a best practice, safety plans also should incorporate hazards such as widespread flu and pandemic disease outbreaks.

Districts and schools should review carefully the “Response” section (section V), “Hazards/Threats” subsection (subsection C), “Medical: Pandemic” component of each building plan. Review of the “Recovery” section (section VI) also may be helpful, especially the “Continuity of Operations Plan” component.* As part of the emergency management plan, schools should have established procedures for determining when to close a school; how to communicate information to families, students, staff and the community about the closing; and procedures for decontaminating facilities if necessary.

Schools and districts should make all decisions in the best interest of the health and safety of students and the community.

*Section designations refer to the “Sample Safety Plan” template provided by the Ohio Department of Public Safety.

C: Refresh your relationship with your local health department and county emergency management agency (EMA).

As you review and update your safety plan, you might also check in with your local health department and county emergency management agency. It is always best practice to coordinate closely with your local, on-the-ground health and first responder experts.

To find your local health department, click here.

You can work with your county EMS team to ensure your response plan is up-to-date and enables an effective local response to coronavirus. For information about Ohio’s EMS, click here.

D: Ensure your key contact information is up to date and your local communication channels are ready to go.

As a component to your school safety plan, you can make sure your contact information for staff and students’ families is up to date.

Additionally, ensure your administrator contact information is current in OH|ID at the Ohio Department of Education.

Find more information about school safety plans on the Ohio School Safety Center’s webpage.

3. Will the Ohio Department of Education tell schools and districts they must close when certain criteria are met?
No. Individual school districts are empowered to work closely with their local departments of health to assess and understand the risk to their student populations and the community and make decisions accordingly. The Ohio Department of Education emphasizes that districts always should keep the safety and health of students and the community at the forefront of all decision-making.

4. If schools are closed for several weeks, are there plans in place to ensure students continue to learn?
Each school building in Ohio is required to submit a safety plan that outlines procedures for emergency situations. As a best practice, safety plans should incorporate guidelines for addressing hazards such as widespread flu and pandemic disease outbreaks, as well as plans for continuity of operations in the case of long-term closures. For more information on school schedules, click here.

5. Will the amount of required instructional time for the school year be reduced if schools are closed for an extended period of time?
The most important question for schools and districts to consider is, “What do we need to do to keep the students and community safe?” Any concerns about instructional time can and will be addressed, if necessary, after student health and safety has been assured. For more information on school schedules, click here.

6. What if schools must close during state testing? How will that be handled?
The most important question for schools to consider is, “What do we need to do to keep our students and communities safe?” Any concerns about the administration of state assessments can and will be addressed, if necessary, after student health and safety have been assured. At this point, the spring test administration remains on schedule. The Department will communicate any updates if those plans change.

7. Will school staff be monitoring students for signs of coronavirus?
Teachers and school staff should follow best practices as outlined by the Ohio Department of Health for preventing the spread of illness. School nurses also have received additional guidance regarding coronavirus from the Ohio Department of Health.

8. Are there instructional materials for teachers and school staff on how to reduce risk for themselves, their students and others?
Yes, the Ohio Department of Education, along with the Ohio Department of Health in conjunction with the Centers for Disease Control, has communicated information to schools and school nurses about best practices to reduce the spread of illness. These practices should be promoted, encouraged and followed to provide the safest, healthiest atmosphere for students and staff alike. Again, schools should work closely with local departments of health as well as students and families to make sure anyone with symptoms stays home and receives appropriate treatment and testing.

For the latest developments, please visit the Ohio Department of Health’s coronavirus disease 2019 resources webpage.

9. Should schools consider disinfecting facilities as a preventative measure?
Schools and local departments of health should work together to provide the safest and healthiest atmosphere for students and staff alike. In the sample school safety plan provided by the Ohio Department of Public Safety, schools are encouraged to have plans in place for disinfecting facilities if needed.

The American Academy of Pediatrics offers guidance on cleaners, sanitizers and disinfectants for use in childcare settings.

Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control provides resources for cleaning and disinfecting facilities.

10. Who will determine when it is safe to reopen schools if schools must close because coronavirus reaches a community, but new infections decline?
Should any Ohio schools or districts close as a result of concerns about the spread of coronavirus, the local school districts will make the determination about when to reopen, working in consultation with local departments of health and with input from state and federal health experts.