The Latest News

March 20, 2020

March 19, 2020

Dear Queen Creek Community,

As you know, QCUSD has a Family FAQ regarding school closures. We ask you to check it regularly and want to make you aware of important highlights that come straight from that FAQ.

Meal Service:

• Starting Monday (March 23), breakfast and lunch will be available Mon.-Fri. from 10 a.m. to noon at the Boys and Girls Club at 22557 S Ellsworth Road Queen Creek, AZ 85142. These meals are FREE to all Queen Creek students 18 years and under. Meals will be served curbside via a grab-n-go model of food delivery.

Educational Resources:

• At-home educational enrichment resources and activities are posted on our website. If you are unable to print these materials or use them digitally, hard copy packets of some resources will be available for pick-up at our food distribution site.

Important note about school buildings:

• School buildings will be open from 7:30 a.m -12:00 p.m. on Monday (March 23) and Tuesday (March 24). These days are not intended for instruction, but to give families and staff more time to come into school buildings and gather personal items.

Again, schools across the state are closed through at least March 27. If this changes, you will be notified as soon as possible. Updates are released via email, text, and QCUSD social media channels.

Thank you,

Queen Creek Unified School District

March 17, 2020

Dear Queen Creek Families,

In response to Governor Doug Ducey’s announcement of a statewide closure of Arizona schools through Friday, March 27, 2020, Queen Creek Unified students will not return to class from Spring Break. QCUSD schools will be closed at least through March 27. However, if the Governor extends the closure past March 27 the District will reevaluate the situation moving forward.

As Superintendent Berry said in his message yesterday, we would like to provide you with more information regarding school closures in the form of a Family FAQ. Please know that this FAQ is a fluid document and staff will be making updates as the information changes.

Please remember all COVID-19 updates/communications from the district can be found on our website.

Reminder, we will be sending frequent updates with information via email, text messages, and district social media channels. Feel free to call the district office at (480) 987-5935 to ensure your contact information is correct and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Thank you for your patience during this difficult time. We will get through this challenge together.

March 16, 2020

Dear Queen Creek Families,

With the international emergency that we are currently navigating, I wanted to take a few moments to share my thoughts regarding this dilemma and update you on the QCUSD response to this situation.

I believe our current situation is unprecedented and, with that, there are many unanswered questions and emotions. Some say we are in uncharted waters but I want you to know that my first priority is the physical and emotional well-being of our amazing students and staff, and the manner in which we support our community stakeholders as a community partner. Through faith, community support, and sound leadership, I have no doubt we will all adapt and make it through this together. As the QCUSD superintendent and parent of QCUSD students, my heart goes out to our students, families, and staff that are impacted by these events. I have tremendous appreciation for how hard the QCUSD staff is working to find the answers to many complicated questions related to this unfortunate situation. I recognize that many decisions may be scrutinized and I would encourage everyone to maintain patience, understanding, and an attitude of support as we work through this situation.

As you know, the turn of events over the past week has been tremendous. As always, we will continue to work with the Governor’s Office and the Department of Education and other agencies to understand and fulfill the spirit of directives and advisories that are coming at a rapid pace. Again, we recognize a wide variety of emotions, opinions, and attitudes associated with COVID-19 and I wanted you to know that we are working hard to address health-related directives while minimizing the impact of closure for QCUSD students.

Reminder, we will be sending frequent updates with information via email, text messages, the website and social media channels. Feel free to call the district office at 480-987-5935 to ensure your contact information is correct and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Finally, be well, stay safe, and thank you again for continuing to support the Queen Creek Unified School District.

Sincerely,

Perry Berry, Ed. D
Superintendent

March 15, 2020

QCUSD Families:

In response to Governor Doug Ducey’s announcement today (March 15) of a statewide closure of Arizona schools starting Monday through Friday, March 27, 2020, Queen Creek Unified students will not return to class from Spring Break on March 23 as previously planned.

However, if your child is enrolled in the Discovery Kids Spring Break Camp, Preschool Spring Break Camp, and/or other athletic/QCPAC enrichment camps happening next week (3/16-3/20), those camps will continue as planned. We also want to assure you that all QCUSD facilities are and will continue to be fully sanitized and thoroughly cleaned. If your child is enrolled in those camps but you want to keep them home, refunds will be made available.

As we have done from the very beginning, QCUSD is following the guidance and expertise of local and national health officials to help protect the health of our students and employees. The Superintendent's Cabinet has taken all direction from the Arizona Department of Health Services, the Governor's Office, Arizona Department of Education, and Maricopa County Department of Health. You can read Governor Ducey’s full letter here.

We will be sending frequent updates with information and resources via email, text messages, the website and social media channels. We hope to have an updated FAQ posted and available for staff and families in the next few days.

We are so grateful for your patience and understanding as we continue to work through this difficult situation. We will get through this challenge together.

QCUSD families - Please see the below update regarding coronavirus from the Arizona Department of Education.

Please click the link to our FAQ for updates as we monitor the situation. Updates will also be posted on our website. 

Guidance for Schools on COVID-19

March 10, 2020
Dear School Leaders,

I write to you today to bring you up to speed on the recent outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) and provide guidance to ensure that every Arizona student and educator, and their families, can remain healthy.

I understand there is much information about the virus that is circulating and causing concern, and I want to reassure you that alongside the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS), the Governors' Office, and County Departments of Public Health, the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) is doing everything we can to prepare, Information is rapidly changing but we remain committed to providing you with up-to-date information.

Questions Around School Closures:

At this time, school closures are not recommended by the Arizona Department of Health Services or any county Department of Public Health.

However, should that change, you should expect an announcement to come from a county health department. If a school closure happens at any point, ADE will work with school leadership, public health officials, the Arizona Department of Health Services, and/or the governor in appropriate response.

We are aware of the questions and logistics our schools will face should a county health department recommend a school closure. Please know ADE will be prepared to provide guidance to schools about graduation, assessments, school meals, special education services, etc. should that situation arise.

March 6, 2020

In an effort to keep our families informed of Queen Creek’s efforts to prevent the spread of illness, including both influenza and coronavirus, we want to share with you that our action plan remains the same at this time as we go into Spring Break.

Our Emergency Management Team continues to monitor the situation closely with direction from the Center for Disease Control and the Maricopa County Department of Health. We have arranged for a deep cleaning and sanitizing of all Queen Creek schools and buses to begin over Spring Break. One deep cleaning has already been conducted and all our facilities are cleaned daily. Queen Creek Unified is also asking schools to be extra vigilant about wiping down desks and high-touch surfaces, such as doorknobs.

We all play a role in reducing the likelihood of a coronavirus outbreak in our school district community.

We encourage everyone to practice good habits, including:

• Wash your hands regularly, especially after using the restroom and before preparing or consuming food. Wash for 20 seconds, using soap and hot water. Be sure to also wash your fingertips.
• Avoid coughing or sneezing into your hands or in the air. Always try to cough or sneeze into a tissue, and then throw the tissue away. If you don’t have a tissue, cough/sneeze into your arm.
• As much as you can, avoid touching your eyes, mouth and nose.
• If children are feeling sick, please keep them home from school. Allow them some time to feel better so that they do not risk infecting others.

Here are links to additional information:

• https://www.maricopa.gov/5460/Coronavirus-Disease-2019
• CDC: handwashing guidelines
• CDC: Share Facts, Not Fear

This message, as well as all messages pertaining to COVID-19 can be found online at https://www.qcusd.org/news#CoronavirusDisease2019COVID-19

February 28, 2020

Dear Parent/Guardian:

We understand that the Novel Coronavirus, now known as COVID-19, is causing much anxiety in our community, country and the world. Maricopa County Department of Public Health (MCDPH) is working to provide you with the most up to date information on this rapidly evolving situation. Following is a brief overview of the current situation. For more information and FAQ’s, we recommend you visit www.maricopa.gov/coronavirus.

What is Known

• The virus causing COVID-19 is a new coronavirus that has not been previously identified and causes a respiratory illness ranging from a mild cold-like illness to severe pneumonia.
• Most (81%) of people diagnosed with COVID-19 in China had mild disease, including most children.
• Similar to influenza, the people who are most likely to have severe disease and complications from COVID-19 are older individuals (>60 years old) and those with other medical conditions like heart and lung disease or diabetes.
• There is no vaccine or treatment currently available for COVID-19 but the National Institutes of Health is evaluating treatments and developing a vaccine already.
• Currently, there is NO confirmed community spread of COVID-19 in Maricopa County, meaning the virus is not being spread from person-to-person. However, experts predict there will eventually be community spread. MCDPH is preparing for when/if this happens.

How the Virus Spreads

• COVID-19 is believed to spread primarily the same way the common cold or flu spreads—through respiratory droplets that are produced when someone coughs or sneezes.
• People who are most at risk of becoming infected with COVID-19 are those who have been in close contact (within about 6 feet) with someone who has the disease.
• People are thought to be most contagious when they are most symptomatic (the sickest).
• Some spread of the virus might be possible before a person has symptoms; there have been reports of this with COVID-19, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.

What you can do now

• Keep children home when they are sick.
• Students (and parents/guardians) who are ill, especially with acute respiratory symptoms (not allergies or chronic conditions), should stay home.
• Teach your children to always cover their cough and sneezes with a tissue or elbow.
• Remind them to wash their hands with soap and water (or use hand sanitizer) after they touch their face, use the restroom and before they eat.
• Tell children to avoid touching their mouth and nose since that is how germs get into the body.
• Clean frequently touched surfaces and objects (everyday household disinfectants are fine)
• Enhance cleaning of high touch surfaces like door knobs, toilet handles, and sink handles.
• Plan for when community spread occurs.
  • Ensure you have a plan to designate a caregiver, such as a family member or neighbor, for a sick child(ren) if you can’t stay home.
  • Know your child’s school plan to communicate with you when needed, such as robocalls, email or checking their website.

Because most people with COVID-19 have mild disease, the likelihood that MCDPH will recommend closing schools is very low, but not zero. In the highly unlikely chance that MCDPH has to shut down your child’s school due to a COVID-19 outbreak, it is important for parents/guardians to have a plan for who could take care of your child.

MCDPH staff are working day and night to monitor this evolving situation and will continue to provide new information to the community as things change. Please contact your school leadership or healthcare provider should you have additional questions.

More information can be found at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus, www.maricopa.gov/coronavirus or at www.twitter.com/MaricopaHealth.

Sincerely,

Marcy Flanagan, DBA, MPH, MA
Director

Rebecca Sunenshine, MD, FIDSA
Medical Director, Disease Control Division