The Regional School Unit 13 Superintendent of Schools, John C. McDonald, distributed the following letter to members of the RSU 13 community on Thursday, Feb. 27. 

RSU 13 includes Oceanside High School, Oceanside Middle School, Cushing Community School, Thomaston Grammar School, Ash Point Community School and South School. 

Dear RSU 13 Community: 

As you are likely aware, on Tuesday, February 25th, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) gave a press conference updating the country on the current status of the coronavirus (COVID- 19), and what steps should be taken moving forward. We wanted to share with you some of the steps our RSU is taking to prevent the spread of illness across our schools, and plan for the possible spread of the coronavirus in our community.

As the CDC emphasized, there is not currently a coronavirus pandemic in the United States. A pandemic occurs when a disease is spreading from a variety of sources across a large region, and the number of cases across the US is still small. However, given how quickly the global situation is evolving, we are monitoring new developments and will continue to reevaluate our steps and actions daily.

In the meantime, the most effective way to stay healthy and minimize the spread of infectious disease is to follow basic health best practices like:

• Enforcing great hygiene, like washing hands thoroughly and covering up coughs/sneezes

• Asking all faculty, staff, and students who are feeling ill (cough, fever, cold/flu-like symptoms) to stay home until they recover.

Our schools are prepared to alter our procedures and planning should the situation change. We have been in contact with the Maine Department of Education and have received their guidance on this issue. We will continue to work and plan in collaboration with our local health organizations and emergency management agencies.

We are also thinking ahead regarding the impact of spring travel, upcoming school trips, and other non-typical school activities will have in the context of the coronavirus. We will communicate any changes affirmatively when the time is appropriate.

It is important to remember that handling the spread of a serious contagion like the coronavirus is primarily a task for public health agencies. Any directives from the World Health Organization, CDC, or local governmental organizations should be followed.

In times like this, we are particularly grateful for the strength and togetherness of our school community. Please continue to look for further communications from us on this matter.