Dear JCS Families,

Jupiter Christian School places a high priority on the safety and security of our students, faculty, staff, and families. I'd like to share with you important information from Mrs. Kelly Bontrager, our JCS Nurse Manager, who is closely collaborating with the Palm Beach County Health Department in conjunction with the CDC and the School District of Palm Beach County.

We are closely monitoring updates and advisories concerning the Novel Coronavirus originating in Wuhan, China. Currently, there are no reported cases in the state of Florida. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) consider this new virus a public health threat based on current information. However, the immediate health risk to the general U.S. public is considered low at this time. The World Health Organization and CDC are closely monitoring the situation and providing ongoing guidance. The health and safety of our students at JCS is of utmost concern. JCS will continue to monitor the situation and communicate with the Palm Beach County Health Department in conjunction with the CDC and the School District of Palm Beach County to determine if any further action is necessary.

If at anytime, you, or a family member feels sick with fever, cough or has difficulty breathing, please do the following:

Avoid contact with others and do not travel while sick.
Seek medical advice. Call ahead before going to a doctor's office or emergency room. Tell them about your symptoms.

The CDC advises the best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to the virus. Please review the JCS sick policy in the Parent/Student Handbook. The facilities department and teachers continue to clean and disinfect touched objects and surfaces frequently. The school nurses are carefully monitoring students and following JCS sick policies. In addition, here are everyday actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses:

Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue and throw the tissue in the trash.
Stay at home when you are sick. Do not return to school until fever-free for 24 hours without a fever-reducing medication. Provide a doctor's note if evaluated for flu or symptoms related to coronavirus.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Clean and disinfect touched objects and surfaces frequently using a regular household cleaning spray or wipes.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (about the time it takes to sing Happy Birthday), especially before eating, after blowing your nose, sneezing or coughing, and after going to the bathroom. Be sure to pay attention to thumbs, wrists, and in between fingers, which are some of the areas most commonly missed when hand washing.
If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.

For further information, including links to FDOH resources, please visit: http://www.floridahealth.gov/diseases-and-conditions/COVID-19/index.html

For those concerned with travel precautions, please visit the CDC's website:https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html

Thank you for partnering with JCS to keep our community safe and healthy!

Blessings,