To Parents, Teachers and Staff in the East Providence School District
All the nursing staff will be calling as many families as possible, from Monday, March 23, 2020 through the remainder of the time school buildings are closed. If you are ill, please contact your doctor. Our calls are to keep in touch with our families. This may be by telephone, Dojo or email.
The school emails for each of our nurses are:
East Providence High School: Nicole Albano RN and Amanda Shattuck RN
nalbano@epschoolsri.com
ashattuck@epschoolsri.com
Myron J. Francis: Lillian Martin RN
lmartin@epschoolsri.com
Hennessey: Jennifer McKinnon RN
jmckinnon@epschoolsri.com
Kent Heights School: Alison Rosario RN
arosario@epschoolsri.com
Martin Middle School: Katherine McKinnon RN
kmckinnon@epschoolsri.com
Martin Middle School PreK: Tina Santos RN
tsantos@epschoolsri.com
Oldham PreK: Susan Mungovan RN
smungovan@epschoolsri.com
Orlo: Susan Abdow RN
sabdow@epschoolsri.com
Silver Spring: Maria Fazioli RN
mfazioli@epschoolsri.com
Waddington: Elissa Carr RN
ecarr@epschoolsri.com
Whiteknact: Whitney Desrosiers RN
wdesrosiers@epschoolsri.com
Riverside Middle School: Diane Wallace RN Head Nurse and School Nurse RMS
dwallace@epschoolsri.com
If you have questions, please contact us by email.
Coronavirus cases are at 83 as of 1:00PM today, 17 new cases since yesterday March 21, 2020. I felt a
refresh of what has been previously sent might be helpful.
Recommendations from RIDOH and CDC
1. Social distancing
– Stay six (6) feet away from people other than those in your household
– Eliminate playdates, sleepovers, parties or social gatherings of family and friends
– Avoid any activities where children and/or adults gather like playgrounds, fun parks, arcades,
etc.
– If you are sick, isolate yourself, stay home, contact a medical professional for further guidance
- Follow advice of local health officials
- Follow DOHRI and CDC web sites for reliable information
- Create a plan with your employer concerning possibly working from home or taking a leave if you or someone in your household develops Coronavirus.
– Stay well!
– Diane M. Wallace RN
– Head Nurse East Providence School District
– School Nurse Riverside Middle School
2. Create a two week plan for your family and yourself. Depending on the spread of Coronavirus,
this may need to be extended.
– Have prescriptions filled, purchase OTC (over the counter) medications, food and other
necessities for the next two weeks. Grocery stores and pharmacies remain open.
– Know how to have food delivered, if possible, in case you cannot leave your home.
– Establish ways to communicate with family and friends, employers and coworkers (by
telephone/online). Limit face to face contact. If you must communicate in person, stay six (6)
feet away
– Find alternatives for childcare needs.
– Stay informed about emergency plans in our community, school closures/students distance
learning, workplace changes and business closures
– Create a household plan: list telephone numbers that are important to your family
– Plan ways to care for family and friends at greatest risk. Older adults, those with chronic
conditions, those unable to care for themselves should be included.
– Create a list of family, friends, employers, doctors, department of health, etc. Be certain your
family knows where this list is.
3. What should you do if someone in your household becomes ill.
Most people who get Coronavirus are able to recover at home. CDC directions for those people
include:
– Stay home except to get medical care.
– The person who is ill should use a separate room and bathroom.
– Wash hands often with soap and water for at least twenty (20) seconds or with alcohol based
hand sanitizer that is 60% alcohol. Hand sanitizer should be used only if soap and water are not
available.
– Wash hands after blowing nose, coughing, sneezing, after bathroom use, before preparing food
or eating.
– Clean sickroom and bathroom daily, more often if needed. Hard surfaces should be cleaned at
least twice a day.
– Avoid sharing personal items like utensils and food/drink.
4. To prepare your child for school building closures
– Understand distant learning/virtual learning plans for continuing education. Social services like
school breakfast and lunch pick up are in place.
5. How do I prepare my family in case of a Coronavirus outbreak?
– Outbreaks can be stressful to adults and children.
– Stay calm, be prepared and explain to your children that most cases seem to be mil.
80% of cases are mild with 20% more serious due to those persons having serious existing
conditions like heart disease, diabetes, pulmonary conditions, etc or are over age 70 years old.
6. Steps to take:
Most cases are happening in adults of working age and older adults. Recently we have had an
increase of cases in children.
-Stay current: read or watch local media for updates.
-Discourage children and teens from gathering.
March 22 Nurse Information – ENG