As we continue to work with DHEC, CDC and other local and state health officials on Coronavirus developments, I want to share with you some of the steps the district has taken to ensure the health and safety of students and staff.
We are continuing to thoroughly clean and disinfect our schools as part of our daily routine, using flu-season protocols and EPA-approved products. We also continue to emphasize healthy habits among employees, students and families to help prevent the spread of germs and respiratory illnesses.
Lexington Two has cancelled all field trips, regardless of location, through April 5. In addition, the district will not schedule any new field trips of any kind, regardless of location, through April 5. This applies to staff travel as well. If your child was scheduled to go on a field trip, expect to hear an update from your school. We also have suspended until further notice a high school program for community-based training at area hospitals.
In regards to our sports teams, Lexington Two is awaiting the South Carolina High School League's decision on whether athletic events will be cancelled. The league is expected to discuss the issue early next week.
As part of a State of Emergency declaration, Gov. Henry McMaster on Friday ordered two public school districts to close -- Kershaw County and Lancaster County. The governor’s order does not have any effect on Lexington Two. The governor’s order will direct DHEC to consult with the state's Superintendent of Education and local school district leadership to provide guidance on if and when remaining school districts should decide to close schools and for what period of time. State officials have indicated that they will keep us apprised of any need to close schools.
Should a closure become necessary, our students will use the eLearning program for remote learning, to keep pace with their classes. Please know that students will have the opportunity to get all necessary work for promotion and/or graduation. Students will have ample time to turn in assignments for credit, and to be counted present, once they return to school.
In addition to encouraging healthy habits, including hand-washing and eliminating handshakes, we also want to remind families how important it is to keep your child home when he/she is not feeling well. If your child has a fever of 100 degrees or more before having an appropriate fever-reducing medication, keep your child at home. Please remember, too, that your child should be fever-free for 24 hours before he/she returns to school.
We will continue to keep everyone informed about Coronavirus through the story on our district and school websites; through school-level communications; through social media; and through our phone and e-mail systems.
Thank you for helping us keep our students and employees healthy.
Dr. William B. James Jr.
Superintendent