Please note that we will follow all state and local guidelines, as well as what is dictated by the CDC.
Maintaining a healthy community
This web page will be updated as new information or guidelines are provided by public health officials.
Like you, we’re keeping a close eye on how coronavirus may affect Maplebrook and our school community. We believe that in an alarming situation, school is not the most important thing right now; safety is. People have heightened anxiety and not be able to process information (particularly new information) as easily as in non-crisis times. At Maplebrook, please be assured that the entire school community's health and safety are paramount. In planning for COVID-19, we are providing the following guidelines and links to information about the current health situation. We are pleased to partner with you to maintain a healthy Maplebrook community.
The recommendations and decisions being made are based on information and guidelines from:
Like you, we’re keeping a close eye on how coronavirus may affect Maplebrook and our school community. We believe that in an alarming situation, school is not the most important thing right now; safety is. People have heightened anxiety and not be able to process information (particularly new information) as easily as in non-crisis times. At Maplebrook, please be assured that the entire school community's health and safety are paramount. In planning for COVID-19, we are providing the following guidelines and links to information about the current health situation. We are pleased to partner with you to maintain a healthy Maplebrook community.
The recommendations and decisions being made are based on information and guidelines from:
What Maplebrook is doing
We have worked diligently to implement steps to ensure respiratory etiquette is commonplace, as well as prevent the spread of germs and illness. These steps include:
- Faculty and staff are to stay home to help with social distancing.
- Our community has altered our procedures and educational plans. Please see Distance Learning Program page.
- Specific independent living skills surrounding proper hygiene and maintaining cleanliness in the dormitories have been implemented with the students.
- Maintaining the typical structure and routine so as to not cause alarm with the students.
What families can do while students are home
Concern over this new virus can make us all a bit anxious. Acknowledging some level of concern, without panicking, is appropriate and can result in taking actions that reduce the risk of illness. Helping your students cope with anxiety requires providing accurate prevention information and facts without causing undue alarm. We would be happy to help with quelling any of these fears.
- Remain calm and reassuring.
- Emphasize to your children that they and your family are fine.
- Remind them that you and the adults at school are there to keep them safe and healthy.
- Limit television viewing or access to information on the Internet and through social media. Try to avoid watching or listening to information that might be upsetting when your student are present.
- Be honest and accurate.
- Know the symptoms of COVID-19: For some people the symptoms are like having a cold; for others they are quite severe or even life threatening. In either case it is important to check with your child’s healthcare provider (or yours) and follow instructions about staying home or away from public spaces to prevent the spread of the virus.
- Review and model basic hygiene and healthy lifestyle practices for protection.
Prior to returning to school, each family must complete a travel reporting form.
Please click the link to enter your information and submit electronically.
Please click the link to enter your information and submit electronically.
Symptoms and when to seek medical attention
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If you develop emergency warning signs for COVID-19 get medical attention immediately.
Emergency warning signs include*:
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Frequently asked questions
HOW DOES COVID-19 SPREAD?
The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person:
People are thought to be most contagious when they are most symptomatic (the sickest). Some spread might be possible before people show symptoms; there have been reports of this with this new coronavirus, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.
HOW CAN I PREVENT COVID-19?
There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19. The best way to prevent infection is to take precautions to avoid exposure to this virus, which are similar to the precautions you take to avoid the flu. DSHS always recommends these everyday actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including:
If you are experiencing fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, you should contact your healthcare provider. Be sure to call ahead before going to your doctor’s office or emergency department to prevent any potential spread.
The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person:
- Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
- Via respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
- These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
People are thought to be most contagious when they are most symptomatic (the sickest). Some spread might be possible before people show symptoms; there have been reports of this with this new coronavirus, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.
HOW CAN I PREVENT COVID-19?
There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19. The best way to prevent infection is to take precautions to avoid exposure to this virus, which are similar to the precautions you take to avoid the flu. DSHS always recommends these everyday actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people by practicing social distancing.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
- Follow the CDC’s recommendations for using a facemask:
- The CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.
- Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).
If you are experiencing fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, you should contact your healthcare provider. Be sure to call ahead before going to your doctor’s office or emergency department to prevent any potential spread.
partnerships
Our health office personnel have secured several partnerships with local health care facilities and organizations to ensure we are doing the utmost to care for the needs of our school community. Our head nurse has been briefed on the procedures should illness arrive on the Maplebrook campus. The Dutchess County Department of Behavioral & Community Health is prepared to take our calls for recommendations, questions and reports of illness. They are charged with the prevention and control of communicable diseases and is the point of contact. Some addition information sent by the DCDBCH can be found below.