VALLEY CENTER-PAUMA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
Providing a healthy and safe educational environment is Valley Center-Pauma Unified School District’s highest priority. We are closely monitoring the coronavirus (now named COVID-19) and the potential impact on our schools, students, employees, and community. We have created this page to answer the most common questions about the Coronavirus and how you can stay safe.

What is the coronavirus?
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a virus strain that has only spread in people since December 2019. Health experts are concerned because little is known about this new virus and it has the potential to cause severe illness and pneumonia in some people.

What are the common symptoms of coronavirus?
People who have been diagnosed with novel coronavirus have reported symptoms that may appear in as few as 2 days or as long as 14 days after exposure to the virus:

• Fever

• Cough

• Difficulty breathing

What are VCPUSD schools doing to keep students safe?
VCPUSD is collaborating with the CDC, San Diego County, and local health officials to enact a district-wide action plan to ensure the health of our community. This includes:

Proactive School Sanitation

• VCPUSD Facilities management has refreshed training for all VCPUSD custodians relating to best practices for school sanitation and preventing the spread of viruses on school campuses.

• VCPUSD Facilities management has hired extra custodial help to be proactive in the cleaning of high traffic areas of schools and after-school rooms.

• Our bus drivers are helping out by wiping out buses on a regular basis.

• We have plenty of sanitation supplies on hand and additional supplies have been ordered.

Health Education and Support

• VCPUSD will be providing teachers and staff with additional training materials to promote healthy habits (proper hand-washing, etc.) Teachers will, in turn, share this information with students.

• VCPUSD will temporarily suspend all “Attendance Incentives” (ex: perfect attendance awards) to encourage sick students to stay home.

• Administrators, school secretaries, attendance clerks, and staff are being trained to help answer specific questions about Coronavirus, and best practices to prevent its spread.

• We will be continually updating our website with the latest information from the County Office of Education and other governmental agencies.

Advanced Preparation

• At VCPUSD our priority is the safety of our students and staff.

• With the guidance of governmental agencies, VCPUSD is developing contingency plans in the unlikely event it becomes necessary to take additional measures such as closing school.  It is our sincere hope that these actions will not be necessary but we are committed to be prepared for the safety of our students and staff.

• The learning process will not stop in the event of a school closure.  Plans are underway and teachers are busy preparing lessons that will be available both electronically and with hard copies where necessary.  Our goal will be a minimal interruption for our students in their education.

Does VCPUSD have a plan if a student were to contract the virus?
We are developing contingency plans so we are ready to respond if widespread illness causes greater impacts, such as school closures. We are hopeful that we will not have to operationalize these plans, but it is critical to be prepared. 

What can I do to prevent coronavirus?
Students, staff, and parents can reduce their risk of getting and spreading viral respiratory infections, including the flu and the common cold, by encouraging them to take simple steps which will also prevent coronavirus.

Steps include:

• Cover your coughs and/or sneezes with a sleeve (into your elbow) or a tissue and throw away immediately.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds, or use alcohol hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available. Here are some helpful videos on proper handwashing techniques: Proper Hand Hygiene or Handwashing tips

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

• Stay home when you are sick. How do I know if I'm sick?

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects (ex: phones, iPads, keyboards) and surfaces.

How do I talk to my students about the Coronavirus?
As adults, it’s important we remain calm with our actions and words and share factual information. Sharing accurate information during a time of heightened concern is critical. One of the ways we can protect our community from illness is to keep rumors and misinformation from spreading.

Here are some resources you may use to talk about the coronavirus with students

• Just For Kids: A Comic Exploring The New Coronavirus

• Talking to Teens and Tweens About Coronavirus

CLICK ON THE IMAGES BELOW TO FIND MORE HELPFUL RESOURCES

San Diego County Health Department link: