APPLETON — Appleton Village School has released a letter regarding COVID-19 and is asking students to refrain from using water fountains. 

“Due to the prevalence of various illnesses in our community we are asking students to stop using the water fountains at school and to please bring a water bottle,” read a notice from the school. “Students will be able to refill water bottles at the fountains with this feature. If your child needs a water bottle please contact Nurse Sandy. Thank you.” 

Below is a letter from AVS Principal Susan Stillwell. 

Yesterday afternoon Governor Janet Mills announced pro-active steps to protect Maine residents by issuing guidance on social distancing as a means of slowing the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The information we at the schools are receiving is changing rapidly.

The Maine Department of Education offered schools the following additional recommendations to administrators as we continue to adapt and plan:

♦ Continue the prevention strategies that include teaching, modeling and providing supplies needed to practice good hygiene:

• Wash hands often with soap or alcohol-based hand sanitizer

• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue and dispose of in a trash can immediately

• Stay home if you are sick

• Wipe surfaces frequently

♦ Limit (cancel or postpone) mass gatherings that are not essential

♦ Postpone any non-essential out-of-state or international travel

♦ Review and revise attendance policies for students and staff that would discourage them from staying home if sick; consider starting or expanding a sick-leave bank

♦ Reduce group sizes within your schools where you can: examples may include classroom-based lunches, postponing assemblies, cancelling or rescheduling concerts and celebrations

♦ Continue to convene your safety team

♦ Involve school boards and teacher associations in considering the potential benefits and unintended consequences of significant decisions.

The Department of Education continues to advocate for Maine’s public schools and will continue to seek resources and support as we determine how best to care for our school community. Public schools continue to be both the safest place for kids and a symbol of hope and resilience.

At AVS we have a school safety team that is closely monitoring the situation through communication with a number of outside agencies, most notably the Maine CDC, and Department of Education, and we will be developing contingency plans based on the most up to date information and expert guidance. On Monday morning our HAL Administrative Team will meet to review a list of issues we feel need to be discussed. We will communicate any essential information to the school community as quickly as possible after that meeting so that all parties are involved and informed. We hope that folks take the time to verify information regarding COVID-19 virus.

Please do not use social media for your information the best source is the Maine CDC website. maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/infectious-disease/epi/airborne/coronavirus.shtml

It is kept current and has all the news releases.

Feel free to reach out with questions you may have Susan.Stilwell@fivetowns.net or Sandy.Fuller@fivetowns.net.

Susan Stilwell, Principal