March 26, 2020

• Governor Kay Ivey and State Superintendent Dr. Eric Mackey held a press conference to inform Alabama’s residents of the plan for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year.
  • Press Release

March 25, 2020

• The MCS Superintendent and Deputy Superintendent participated in a meeting of the state and district superintendents in an effort to make plans for the remainder of the school year.

March 18, 2020

• Morgan County administrators, cafeteria personnel, teachers, staff, and SROs (school resource officers) worked hard today preparing food and handing it out to our families in need.
  • Facebook post

March 17, 2020

• District released information regarding communications during closure.
  • Facebook post
• FAQ sheet created to answer questions.
  • FAQs Sheet

March 16, 2020

• District leadership met to discuss plans for COVID-19 school closure.
• MCS announced plan for student meals during school closure due to COVID-19.
  • Facebook post

March 15, 2020

• Announcement made with updates regarding the week beginning March 16, 2020.
  • Facebook post

• Post made concerning FAQs provided by ALSDE
  • Facebook Post
  • Facebook Post – Update/Clarification

March 14, 2020

• Post made concerning student meals and attendance for 3/16-3/18.
  • Facebook Post
• District COVID-19 website page is launched to provide a single depository of information on MCS response.
  • MCS COVID-19 Updates

 March 13, 2020

• District leadership cabinet convenes to review options
  • District leadership cabinet convenes with other district teams to coordinate our response
• Post made concerning school closing.
  • Facebook post

March 12, 2020

• Coronavirus Update posted on Facebook the link to the Alabama State Department of Education’s Coronavirus Parent Guide
  • Coronavirus Update

March 11, 2020

• Superintendent held a conference call with MCS principals regarding response to COVID-19.

March 10, 2020

• The Alabama State Department of Education and the Alabama Department of Public Health held a press conference regarding COVID-19.
  • MP4| YouTube
• WAFF story “Local schools prepare for possible COVID-19”
  • WAFF News Story

March 9, 2020

• District leadership cabinet convenes to refine actionable items and expand options including conferences calls with selected school administrators to review.

March 6, 2020

• Press release from the Alabama Department of Public Health announced that the state laboratory began testing for Novel Coronavirus COVID-19.
  
  • ADPH Press Release

March 5, 2020

• Deputy Superintendent emailed all MCS staff regarding further guidance concerning COVID-19.
• MCS continues plans concerning action plan for COVID-19.

March 4, 2020

• Deputy Superintendent participates in Homeland Security national conference call regarding Coronavirus COVID-19 response.

March 2, 2020

• Coronavirus information posted on Facebook, includes recommendations about keeping healthy and safe during the Coronavirus threat.
  • Coronavirus Information

February 26, 2020

• Deputy Superintendent’s office emails all MCS staff on guidance regarding responding to the Novel Coronavirus; priority: High.
• District leadership cabinet convenes to review State Pandemic Plan for schools and begins creating options.

February 5, 2020

• Administrators share with district and school leadership, the Alabama Department of Public Health Northern District Memo February 4, 2020, regarding Coronavirus detected in commercial respiratory panel tests.
• MCS District leadership began routinely monitoring the outbreak.

Morgan County Schools' commitment is to the safety and well-being of our students and community.  Plans are in place and daily monitoring of this situation continues.

 The Alabama State Department of Education has set guidelines in their last press conference concerning the reaction if a student or employee tests positive.

1. Morgan County Schools will immediately contact the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) and the State Superintendent
2. Close all schools in Morgan County for a minimum of 24-48 hours while ADPH determines the extent of the infection.
3. Schools will not reopen without clearance from the ADPH and the Alabama State Department of Education.
4. Morgan County Schools will follow standard procedures in notifying parents, similar to weather events.

Morgan County Schools will work cooperatively with parents as partners in their child's education during any closure.  We ask parents to take a moment and discuss this with their children to help alleviate any anxiety.  Here are some points to consider when discussing with younger children:

1. Stay Open to Questions - There is a new virus a bit like a cold, not many kids are getting it, but the doctors are helping everyone.
2. Wash Your Hands - Sing the Happy Birthday song twice every time you wash your hands, rub them together with soap!
3. Kids Are Strong - Eat healthy foods, sneeze into your elbow, drink lots of water and try not to touch your face!
4. It Can Impact Anyone - It doesn't matter where you or your parents come from, be caring to everyone.  It's not your job to worry.

We currently encourage our teachers to continue the great learning occurring every day in our schools and to take the opportunity as a teachable moment.  We have also encouraged teachers to help provide the facts to students and help relieve the anxiety that students may develop by listening to news and others speaking about this event.  We wish for our teachers and students to remain focused on learning in our schools and avoid distractions that take away from that.

We wish to become a resource for parents and will work to continue communications routinely between parents, students, and teachers.  We will focus on encouraging reading and furthering their learning.  Many options are available to us, such as traditional lessons, virtual lessons, lessons via social media, websites, virtual office hours for teachers, etc.  

We wish for students to continue their studies with the help of teachers, but we must realize the burden that could be placed upon parents/caregivers and employees who may become ill.

Our focus will be the health and safety of all individuals in our communities.  We will take into account the possibility that employees and individuals within households who may be ill and unable to assist students in their studies.

Here are the following recommendations you can take to help prevent the spread of Novel Coronavirus

1. Stay home when sick.
   • Students and staff who have symptoms of acute respiratory illness are asked to stay home and not come to work until they are free of fever greater than 100, signs of a fever, and any other symptoms for at least 24 hours, without the use of fever-reducing or other symptom-altering medicines (e.g. cough suppressants).
   • Seek immediate medical care if symptoms become severe, such as a high fever or difficulty breathing.
2. Encourage students and staff to use “respiratory etiquette” through education and provision of supplies.
   • Cover cough with a tissue or sleeve. See CDC’s Cover Your Cough page: CDC Flu Prevention
   • Provide adequate supplies within easy reach, including tissues and no-touch trashcans.
   • Routinely clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects.
   • Separate sick students and staff from others until they can go home.
   • Encourage flu vaccine for those who have not had it this season to reduce illnesses and absences on campus.
   • Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
   • Avoid touching the face with unwashed hands
   • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
3. Check in with family members who may have been traveling.