Log in

DVUSD taking coronavirus precautions but plans to restart school after spring break

Spring break starts Saturday, school starts again March 23

Posted 3/11/20

Four Valley school districts announced Thursday they'd shut down due to coronavirus, but Deer Valley Unified School District, heading into spring break, plans to return to classes March 23. Spring …

You must be a member to read this story.

Join our family of readers for as little as $5 per month and support local, unbiased journalism.


Already have an account? Log in to continue.

Current print subscribers can create a free account by clicking here

Otherwise, follow the link below to join.

To Our Valued Readers –

Visitors to our website will be limited to five stories per month unless they opt to subscribe. The five stories do not include our exclusive content written by our journalists.

For $6.99, less than 20 cents a day, digital subscribers will receive unlimited access to YourValley.net, including exclusive content from our newsroom and access to our Daily Independent e-edition.

Our commitment to balanced, fair reporting and local coverage provides insight and perspective not found anywhere else.

Your financial commitment will help to preserve the kind of honest journalism produced by our reporters and editors. We trust you agree that independent journalism is an essential component of our democracy. Please click here to subscribe.

Sincerely,
Charlene Bisson, Publisher, Independent Newsmedia

Please log in to continue

Log in
I am anchor

DVUSD taking coronavirus precautions but plans to restart school after spring break

Spring break starts Saturday, school starts again March 23

Posted

Four Valley school districts announced Thursday they'd shut down due to coronavirus, but Deer Valley Unified School District, heading into spring break, plans to return to classes March 23. Spring break starts Saturday.

Despite Gov. Doug Ducey's decision for schools to remain open, the Alhambra Elementary School District -- which includes schools in Glendale -- the Cartwright Elementary School District, the Kyrene School District and the Osborn School District are closing their schools.

Arizona has nine reported cases of coronavirus, or COVID-19.

DVUSD is taking precautions and keeping parents and students updated in the face of the virus. The district is...

  • Excusing any absences due to illness with parent conformation 
  • Installing additional hand sanitizers on campuses
  • Making necessary adjustments to cleaning procedures for buses
  • Making necessary adjustments to cleaning procedures for campuses including increased attention to “high touch” areas as well as providing supplementary cleaning where needed over spring break
  • Launching awareness campaigns across the district with pertinent information and tips about staying healthy
  • Providing training to the district's plant foremen on specialized cleaning procedures
  • School sponsored student travel after spring break is being monitored. Maricopa County Department of Health has stated that it is appropriate to continue with student travel within the United States. However, the closing of venues could cause trips to be canceled. The district is aware that some venues have closed. DVUSD has no international school sponsored trips.
  • DVUSD is exploring necessary adjustments to Food and Nutrition procedures. One adjustment made effective today (3/12/20) is the temporary removal of the student salad bar.

In a letter to parents Thursday, DVUSD Superintendent Curtis Finch emphasized this will continue to be a fluid situation that parents and students should monitor during spring break. Go to www.dvusd.org/COVID19 to check on any changes during spring break.

Mr. Finch also said district leadership is in constant communication with the Maricopa County Department of Public Health (MCDPH) and the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) to ensure the district has the most accurate information.

Gov. Doug Ducey and Superintendent of Public Instruction Kathy Hoffman held a call with school superintendents statewide Thursday.

Meanwhile, Northern Arizona University joined Arizona State University and the University of Arizona on Thursday in moving all classroom instruction online.