Dear UTVA Families,
Earlier today State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Sydnee Dickson held a press conference discussing the state’s strategy to address COVID-19 in Utah’s Public Schools. The following recommendations were issued to schools:
The Governor’s Coronavirus Task Force, in coordination with all 14 local health departments to make the following recommendations to schools:
- Cancellation of all school-related out-of-state travel for the next two weeks.
- Additional recommendations include:
- Postpone or cancel mass gatherings, which may include school assemblies, activities, and athletic games and functions.
- Consider staggering recesses and lunches to reduce the number of children in one place at one time.
- Consider staggering start times and dismissal times to reduce the number of children in one place at one time.
- Amplify health and hygiene prevention measures including staying home if you are ill, washing your hands thoroughly and often, and covering your nose or mouth when you sneeze or cough.
As a virtual school, we are grateful we will not be faced with possible school closure. We will continue to deliver education through our digital learning environment as scheduled. However, we have important upcoming face-to-face events including state testing, prom, and graduation. Currently we will only be postponing three ACT dates.
The COVID-19 landscape changes daily and we are monitoring local health departments and Utah State Board of Education recommendations. Changes and updates concerning our face to face events, will be communicated immediately through email, the school app, UTVA social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and our website: http://utahvirtualacademy.org/
The Utah Department of Health has extensive information on their website to address questions from the public. If you have questions regarding the Coronavirus, including how the virus is spread, and what to do if you have symptoms, you may want to visit the Utah Department of Health website: https://health.utah.gov/
Thank you for your patience and flexibility as we continue to navigate this unprecedented situation. We are all very grateful for the opportunity for online education!
Sincerely,
Meghan Merideth
Head of School at Utah Virtual Academy