Thomas A. Smith, superintendent, Hopewell Valley schools
The following letter recently was written to members of the Hopewell Valley School Community:
The recent loss of a student in a neighboring school district due to complications related to Enterovirus -D68 has prompted calls from concerned parents asking what procedures we have in place to prevent a similar event from occurring in our district.
I would like to assure you that we employ a rigorous cleaning protocol on a daily basis in each of our schools and offices. When a situation such as this occurs, we implement an additional cleaning protocol specified by our environmental consultant. You can rest assured that we do all we can to provide a safe environment for our students and staff.
As we face this most recent virus, it is important that we all work together to make sure our schools are as safe, sanitary and healthy as possible. I ask that we all review with our students and children proper hygiene strategies (handwashing), advise them to avoid close contact and the sharing of cups or eating utensils, and most importantly, keep students home when they are ill.
I would also like to remind you, in the event of any emergency, we will share important information via our Alert Now system using phone and email communication. Please make sure that your contact information is correct in the Infinite Campus portal.
For additional information regarding the Enterovirus-D68, visit: http://www.nj.gov/health/cd/documents/faq/ev
faq.pdf.

