Goodrich Martian Family:

COVID-19, a new coronavirus originating from China, has sparked global concern as the outbreak grows.  While the risk to those in the U.S. still remains low, and the State of Michigan has no confirmed cases of the virus, the state is closely monitoring the situation as knowledge evolves daily.  We want to take a moment to assure our students and parents that we are taking the threat seriously and taking necessary steps for prevention, based on recommendations from the Genesee County Health Department and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS).

Governor Whitmer announced activation of the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) where state, local, and federal agencies will coordinate statewide readiness and communication related to COVID-19.  The MDHHS will continue actively preparing, monitoring, and coordinating response activities through the SEOC.  MDHHS has developed a COVID-19 website located at michigan.gov/coronavirus.  It is regularly updated with the most current available information.  

At this time, the health risk to the general public of Michigan from COVID-19 remains low.  Person-to-person spread appears to occur via respiratory transmission and the symptoms are similar to those of influenza (e.g. fever, cough, and shortness of breath).  The current outbreak is occurring during a time of year when respiratory illnesses from influenza and other viruses are highly prevalent, so our district will take commonsense precautions to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.  

In order to help reduce chances of getting sick or spreading illness, health officials recommend students, parents, and staff practice the following:

• Remain at home if you are sick and avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.  Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are unavailable.
• Cover cough with a tissue or sleeve.  Keep adequate supplies within easy reach, including tissues and no-touch trash cans.
• Routinely clean frequently touched surfaces.

As we do whenever we become aware of an increased number of illnesses being reported in our schools, our custodial staff have begun extra cleanings of classrooms and common areas.   Last week the district performed a thorough disinfection, utilizing the new Clorox Total 360 System.  This device emits disinfecting and sanitizing solution in a fine mist that will cover all surfaces including, desks, doorknobs, counter tops, and hard to reach surfaces. 

We will continue to work with the Genesee County Health Department and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and will share information with you as it becomes available to us.  We ask our families to do their part by keeping students home when they are sick and reinforcing healthy routines.  Attached for your reference are fact and symptom sheets about the Coronavirus, as well as other resources.

Thank you,
Wayne S. Wright, Superintendent

2019 Novel Coronavirus General Fact Sheet.pdf 

2019 Coronavirus Disease Q&A.pdf 

How to Wash Hands.pdf 

When to Stay Home.pdf 

Flu Guide for Parents 2018.pdf 

 HEARING-VISION SCREENING

Screening clinics will be held the 3rd Friday of every month.

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Letter from the Superintendent's Office

Dear Parents of Goodrich Area Schools:

In order to maintain a healthy school environment it is in the best interest of our students that our learning community be fully vaccinated against childhood diseases that are easily spread in a school environment. Unfortunately, it only takes one or two people to bring a school-aged disease into our community which can cause an outbreak. If a vaccine-preventable disease is introduced into our school district, children that are not vaccinated for the disease may be excluded from school for several days. In some cases, it is possible that a child who is not fully vaccinated for a disease would be excluded from school for up to 21 days.

Ensuring that your child is fully immunized is one of the best ways to keep them healthy and free from vaccine-preventable diseases. We highly encourage all parents to follow up with your child's physician to verify that your child is up-to-date with all recommended vaccines, and to schedule an appointment if necessary to receive any missed vaccines.

If you have questions about vaccine-preventable diseases or vaccines, please talk to your child's physician or the Genesee County Health Department at 810-237-4546. If you would like to schedule an appointment for your child to receive vaccines at the Genesee County Health Department, please call 810-237-4540 or 810-237-4569, or visit www.gchd.us.

IMMUNIZATION WAIVER RULE CHANGES

Effective January 1, 2015, a new rule requires parents/guardians who want to claim a nonmedical waiver to receive education from a county health department about the benefits of vaccination and the risks of vaccine-preventable diseases before claiming the waiver.

This does not affect students that are in these categories and were enrolled in 2014. Schools may only accept a certified waiver form from parents if the form:

• Is the most current waiver form (January 1, 2015)
• Is unaltered (no additional language added or language deleted/crossed out)
• Has a certified GCHD stamp or raised seal with the GCHD Burton address
• Has a nurse signature in red ink

The updated waiver forms are available only from a Local Health Department. Please parents call 810-237-4546 if you would like to make an appointment to obtain waiver education at the Genesee County Health Department.

Parent Key Point Flyer
Waiver Flyer for schools and childcare centers
Waiver Flyer for parents FAQ

Health Alerts

Oaktree Elementary 

Health Alert Information

Contact Info

For questions or to report an absence, please call your student's office.

HANDWASHING TIPS

Teaching kids to wash their hands is just one more thing for parents to remember and one more thing for kids to fight about. Do kids really need to wash their hands throughout the day? Isn't once before dinner enough?

"HAND WASHING IS THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT MEANS OF PREVENTING THE SPREAD OF INFECTION.'

Click this link to find the CDC's Guide to Handwashing and other healthy hygiene tips.

Reporting Student Absences

GCHD is working directly with your child's school to make Genesee County a healthier place to live. Michigan law requires that schools report the possible occurrence of any communicable disease to the local health department on a weekly basis. To assist your child's school in reporting possible communicable diseases to GCHD and prevent possible outbreaks, please be specific when reporting your child's absence.

When calling in for a child please include the following information:

• A description of the symptoms of the illness (vomiting, fever, rash, etc.)
• The type of illness if known and who identified the illness
• Your telephone number (if no phone, give address)

Please inform the school if any suspected illness is later confirmed by a physician.

Thank you for your cooperation with the school and GCHD.

For more information please visit us at http://www.gchd.us

Prevention