All SLSD buildings are closed and all activities are cancelled until further notice. Visit southwestschools.org/wellness for the latest information.
Welcome to the Southwest Local School District's Health and Wellness program.
The Southwest Local School District continues to monitor the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and the potential impact on students, families and staff in our schools and community.
As of the afternoon of March 9, we received notice that there are confirmed cases in the state of Ohio in the Cleveland area. We recognize the heightened awareness and concern this will cause, and we will continue to monitor all communication coming from the Ohio Department of Health (ODH), Center for Disease Control (CDC) and Hamilton County Public Health Department (HCPH).
Please be assured that we are continuing to work closely with the Hamilton County Health Department to stay up to date with concerns and illness trends in our area. It is important to know that during a major outbreak, we will continue to follow the health department’s lead on any quarantines, closures, or other health measures needed. Our primary focus is the safety of students and staff. At the same time, we place a high value on providing high quality learning experiences.
Here are some resources that may prove beneficial for our community:
What is SLSD doing to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other common flu strands?
We have increased our cleaning procedures to include a sanitized wipe down of all touch points and common surfaces including railings, door handles, desks, and bathroom areas. We are promoting hand-washing and proper hygiene methods with our students. Hand sanitizer is also available in classrooms and cafeterias. During this period of extended closure, all SLSD buildings are going through a deep cleaning process.
How will SLSD be keeping families, staff, and students informed regarding Coronavirus?
Southwest Local Schools will disseminate information as needed via emails, phone calls, and SMS text messages using our School Messenger mass notification system. Additionally, we will utilize the Health and Wellness section on the district website to relay accurate and timely information from the CDC, ODH and HCPH as it relates to our district. The website will also house all district updates so that you can see them in one location if you miss an email.
How is SLSD ensuring buses are clean?
Our bus drivers wipe down all seats and commonly touched surfaces with disinfectant on a nightly basis. During this period of extended closure, all SLSD buses and vans are going through a deep cleaning process.
When should a student or staff member stay home?
This time of year, the peak of the cold and flu season is upon us. To prevent widespread flu in school we recommend that students and employees stay home when they are feeling ill. To decide whether or not to send your child to school, please consider the following guidelines:
Consider keeping your child at home for an extra day of rest and observation if he or she has any of the following symptoms:
• Very stuffy or runny nose and/or cough
• Mild sore throat (no fever, no known exposure to strep)
• Headache
• Stomach ache
Please keep your child at home for treatment and observation if he or she has any of these symptoms:
• Fever (Your child should not return to school until (s)he is without fever for a full 24 hours without the use of fever-reducers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.)
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Chills
• General malaise or feelings of fatigue, discomfort, weakness or muscle aches
• Frequent congested (wet) or croupy cough
Often when a child awakens with vague complaints (the way colds and flu begin) it is wise to observe your child at home for an hour or two before deciding whether or not to bring them to school. Your child should be physically able to participate in all school activities on return to school. Keeping a sick child at home will minimize the spread of infections and viruses in the classroom and will help to keep EVERYONE healthy.
Will SLSD be closing due to Coronavirus?
At the directive of Governor Mike DeWine, all K-12 schools in Ohio are closed through at least Friday, May 1. Academic plans for the extended closure can be accessed HERE.
What about extracurriculars and student field trips?
As always, we will continue to abide by OHSAA policy and guidelines, as they are the governing body for high school athletics in the State of Ohio. (March 10 update from OHSAA) (March 13 update from OHSAA) (March 26 update from OHSAA)
The district will also be working with local schools to monitor extracurricular participation as well as reviewing all field trips, the location of the field trip, etc. Many host schools and organizations are cancelling large-scale events which affect our teams and clubs. While we would like to keep things as normal as possible, some cancellations are necessitated out of an abundance of caution.
With Spring Break travel season approaching, we recommend that families check the CDC's travel website and follow any travel advisories.
What about Report Cards?
Third Quarter report cards were due to be distributed on March 20, 2020. Due to the school closure, we are making the report card available via your ProgressBook ParentAccess account.
You may login to your ProgressBook Parent Access account and click Report Card on the right side of the screen to view the 3rd quarter report card.
You can access your ProgressBook Parent Access account from the link in the parent portal or by going to https://pbaccess.hccanet.org.
If you do not have a ParentAccess Account, you may email ParentAccess@southwestschools.org and a registration code will be sent to you.
As a district, please know the following:
As we enter this stage of preparedness, this Health and Wellness web page will serve as a "one stop shop" to log all district updates as well as relay accurate and timely information from local health departments and the CDC on this issue, as it relates to the Southwest Local School District. All email communications coming from the district will include a link back to this website for further information.
Thank you for your support and understanding during this time of rapidly changing information and circumstances.
