In regards to COVID-19, CMS is working with the Governor’s office, Arkansas Department of Education, (ADE/DESE), Center for Disease Control (CDC), and Arkansas Department of Health(ADH). We will update you as soon as possible if anything changes. Currently CMS will remain open until further notice.
A message from Arkansas Activities Association.
The Arkansas Department is Education in collaboration with with the Arkansas Department of Health is closing all public schools in Saline, Pulaski, Grant and Jefferson Counties startIng Friday, March 13th through Monday, March 30. Cutter Morning Star School District will keep you updated as the situation changes. Currently we are conducting school as normal unless advised differently.
Guidance for Schools and Childcare Programs regarding COVID-19
The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) is providing the following guidance in an effort to help schools prepare in light of the spreading epidemic of Novel Coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19). Though the current risk to Arkansans is low, the fact of international travel from areas affected by the epidemic requires that administrators be prepared for (1) how to answer questions regarding students or staff who may have traveled to countries where community spread of the virus is occurring and (2) begin making plans for what schools will do to help maintain continuity of teaching and learning if there is community spread of COVID-19 in Arkansas in the future.
Background on COVID-19
The virus that causes COVID-19 is transmitted from person-to-person between people in close contact with one another (about 6 ft) through respiratory droplets, such as when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets can then land in the mouths or noses of those nearby and be inhaled into the lungs. This transmission is much like other respiratory viruses, such as influenza. It
Guidance about Students and Staff Who Have Traveled or Possibly Been Exposed to COVID-19
At present ADH are monitoring travelers who have returned within the last 14 days from countries with sustained community transmission. At present these are the affected countries: China, South Korea, Italy, Iran, and Japan. As the epidemic spreads, we will likely also monitor travelers from other affected countries. Travelers from affected countries are advised to stay at home and monitor for symptoms until 14 days have passed from their departure from that country, while limiting interaction with others. Once 14 days have passed without any symptoms of illness, CDC recommends these travelers be allowed to return to school and public activities.
It is recommended that schools communicate with parents to let them know that the district is aware of the risk of COVID-19 internationally, the district is working with ADH to identify students and staff who may have traveled from the affected countries, and district staff will collaborate with ADH if any such students or staff are identified.
spreads. The illness caused by this virus can range from mild to severe, and the most common
may be possible that
a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching
their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus
symptoms are typically fever, cough and shortness of breath. For more information regarding this virus,
go to https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html .
Districts are requested to identify any student or staff who may have departed China (or, in the future, any other affected country) within the last 14 days. This information is permitted to be shared with ADH under the public emergency rule. The following information can be printed and given: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/THAN-english.pdf .
Schools should inform their school nurse if any students or staff have traveled to these countries so that the nurse can advise regarding home self-quarantine and assist with self-monitoring.
Please report this information to ADH at 501-537-8969.
If a student is identified as having traveled from China (or other affected country) in the last 14
days and has symptoms (fever, cough, and shortness of breath), they should immediately be placed in a single room and have a mask placed on them. Others in the room should wear a mask. If physical contact is required, then gown, gloves and mask should be worn.
Any suspected case (with symptoms) of COVID-19 should be reported to ADH immediately at 501-537-8969 (M-F 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM) or 1-800-554-5738 (after hours and weekends).
Guidance for Schools on Preparing for Possibility of Community Outbreaks of COVID-19
The CDC has said, “As this global outbreak evolves, US communities, including schools, are encouraged to prepare for the possibility of community level outbreaks in the United States.” Therefore, we recommend school districts prepare to implement the following steps if community spread occurs in Arkansas:
Actively encourage sick students and staff to stay home and develop flexible sick leave policies, including for those caring for sick family members.
Implement school absenteeism monitoring systems to track student and staff absences and determine what level of absenteeism will disrupt continuity of teaching and learning.
Establish procedures for quickly separating sick students and staff from those who are well and for sending the sick home as soon as possible.
To help reduce the possibility of further transmission of COVID-19 within schools and within the larger community, consider temporary dismissals of 14 days if a student or staff member attended school prior to being confirmed to have COVID-19 infection. The duration, geographic scope and public health objective of school dismissals may be reassessed and changed as the local outbreak situation evolves.
More detailed advice from CDC regarding this planning can be found here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/specific-groups/guidance-for-schools.html .
We urge you to review this website carefully as it will answer many of your questions.
A message from our Food Service Management Company.
We are closely monitoring the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Arkansas after the recently confirmed case in the state. Our number one priority is health and safety of our associates, your students and communities. In an effort to stay ahead of this dynamic situation, earlier this year we established a Coronavirus Response Team comprised of senior leadership representing Food Safety/Quality Assurance, Workplace Safety, Human Resources, Supply Chain, Legal and Communications that continues to monitor developments closely and follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO) and other health authorities. In addition, we updated our comprehensive Pandemic Management Policy that has been successfully used in previous health threat situations to ensure we are prepared to manage the potential escalation of COVID-19 effectively. This document outlines how we are approaching the impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) at Chartwells K12 and the measures we are putting in place across our organization. You can also rest assured we are taking many steps to ensure a safe foodservice environment and to reinforce our stringent health and hygiene standards. This includes:
Maintaining strict cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting protocols
Ensuring CDC guidelines for handwashing and hygiene etiquette
Reinforcing Food Safety Management System/HACCP standards for food preparation and service
Please know that while we are working to mitigate any service disruptions, it is also important for us to collaborate with our clients and coordinate actions closely. This includes ensuring we have a clear understanding of your existing plans or policies and discussing our approach to minimize risks to employees and students. If your director has not already been involved in planning efforts with you, they will be reaching out early this week to discuss the District’s plan in case of potential school closure.
We recognize this situation will continue to evolve and want you to know we’re committed to our partnership and appreciate the opportunity to work with you. If you have any questions or concerns, please let us know.
Way to go, Ms. Turner's class! They read a total of 10,896 minutes last week and are the winning class of our Read-a-Thon! As a school, we read a total of 71,758 minutes; that's over 1195 hours! Ms. Turner's class will be receiving popsicles on Friday provided by EPIC.
Reminder: Tomorrow wear RED and BLACK!
Reminder: Crazy Sock Day is tomorrow!
We take the safety and well-being of our students and staff very seriously at the Cutter Morning Star School District and felt that it would be timely to share our continuing commitment in light of the coronavirus (COVID-19) concerns across the country. While we have not experienced any health-related challenge with COVID-19, we do know that the flu is still prevalent in our state. We are taking this opportunity to review and share some of our health emergency protocols.
We’re celebrating National School Breakfast Week March 2-6! Did you know that #SchoolBreakfast professionals serve 14 million students every day? #NSBW20
Reminder: Wear a Shirt you can Read tomorrow!
Congratulations! The National Geographic Society named Garner Thornton, an eighth grader at Cutter Morning Star High School in Hot Springs, AR, as one of the semifinalists eligible to compete in the 2020 National Geographic GeoBee State Competition.
Reminder: Wear Green tomorrow for Dr. Seuss/Read Across America Day!
Reminder: Wear your favorite Hat Day is tomorrow!
We are so proud of these boys. They didn’t come home with a win but they are coming home with great memories to last a lifetime. #Teammatesalways #basketballboys2020 #onceaneaglealwaysaneagle
CUTTER MORNING STAR SCHOOL Hot Springs, AR
Boys Varsity Basketball vs White Co. Cen. | 5:30 PM Central
This game will be broadcasted via the NFHS network. Please follow this link:
https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/schools/cutter-morning-star-school-hot-springs-ar?utm_source=braze_automation&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Clell%20Wade%20Event%20Alert
High School Newsletter
Remember tomorrow is an important day for all JRs (11th graders). They will be taking the state mandated ACT. We know your teachers have prepared you well and you will do great. #doyourbestontgetest. #itmatters #cmsstrong. #makeusproud.
Bracket for regional boys basketball tournament at Pangburn.
Map for regional boys basketball tournament on Thursday
