Coronavirus Update

March 12th, 2020 /
Caleb Price /
Coronavirus Disease 2019, News, Public Relations, Updates/Announcements

As concern regarding the coronavirus continues to grow, we understand that parents will have questions. At this point, we can provide answers to the following frequently asked questions.

Out of an abundance of caution, and following the advice of State Superintendent Sydnee Dickson, Provo City School District will be implementing the following measures immediately. These measures will be in place until further notice.

All mass gatherings of over 100 people will be cancelled, including assemblies.
All athletic events are postponed.
All out of state school travel for students and employees is cancelled.
All field trips are cancelled.
Additionally, all rentals of district buildings are suspended and transportation to the Sundance Ski School via PCSD buses is suspended until further notice. Parents should contact Sundance to determine if ski school will continue to be held.

Please work with your local schools to address any questions or concerns you may have.

When will the decision be made to close schools?

The district is not granted authority to close schools in this kind of circumstance. Only a health department has such authority. We are in regular contact with the county health department – often many times per day. Until such an announcement is made, parents with concerns should make whatever decision they think is best, including keeping their children home. Should you choose to keep you children home, please contact your school and work that through.

Will online work be provided should school be closed?

The district office is planning the implementation of digital devices, curricula, platforms, and communication that can be utilized quickly, in case of school closure. Plans include students accessing work via online platforms that many are already using. We are preparing instructional videos for parents and students to learn to access these platforms. When possible, the existing curricula already being used in instruction will continue to be utilized. When this is not possible, the district has plans in place to utilize other online curricula. In case of closure, we will train teachers on such curricula.

For students without technology access packets will be developed, with teachers adding supplemental material and instructions for each grade/class.

If schools are closed, how much warning will I receive?

The district is communicating daily with the Utah County Health Department. It is difficult to say exactly how much advanced warning the district will receive. As soon as the decision is made, it will be communicated to all parents and employees. The district is actively preparing teachers and employees so that if needed, the transition to online learning will be smooth and efficient.

Where can I see updates on the district’s plans?

All information regarding the preparations and adjustments due to the coronavirus will be communicated in multiple ways, including posts at provo.edu, the district Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages, emails and phone calls to parents, etc.