Franklin Public Schools

Per the mandate from Governor Evers to close all Wisconsin K-12 public and private schools, we are currently closed through Sunday, April 5th.  The state has said that date might change as more information becomes available.  That is currently the timeframe we are operating under.

No.  All Franklin Public Schools events and activities are canceled. This includes all Franklin Community Education & Recreation programming and activities, as well as Kids Club.

More detailed communication will be coming to families on Monday, March 16 regarding how virtual learning days will be conducted.  Our staff is still finalizing the details.  We plan to start virtual learning days for students on Wednesday, March 18.  Thank you for your patience as our teaching staff uses the time on Monday and Tuesday to prepare content and materials for our virtual learning days.  

Please use the Staff Directory page to search for the person you need to contact.  Email is a better option for contacting staff at this time.  Staff should be periodically checking voicemail as well. 

As we move into virtual learning days beginning Wednesday, March 18, parents will receive more email communication from principals and/or teachers in regards to how learning will continue.  

As shared in the March 12, 2020 update from Dr. Mueller, we are asking District families and staff that are planning travel before April 12, 2020 to please make us aware of these plans by filling out this form.  Even though schools have been closed, it is still helpful for our District Nurses to have this information as we work on returning all students to school.  

• The U.S. State Department has warned that travelers should prepare for restrictions with little or no notice.  

• Individuals returning from Europe, China, Iran, South Korea, and Italy locations will be asked to stay home for a period of 14 days upon their return under the direction of their local health department and the CDC.  

• The CDC recommends avoiding nonessential travel.  If you are planning to travel within the United States, the CDC offers guidance for you to consider regarding your plans.

• There are also specified travel destinations with continuously evolving guidelines, which currently include Europe, China, Iran, South Korea, and Italy.  Individuals returning from these locations will be asked to stay home for a period of 14 days upon their return under the direction of their local health department and the CDC.  

• A list of countries where community spread of COVID-19 is occurring can be found on the CDC webpage.

• Please share any travel that is occurring before April 12, 2020 with us by filling out this form.

When schools are in session...

1. District Nurses review illness logs and symptom trends from the school health rooms and evaluate attendance reports daily. 
2. District Nurses consult with health room staff around when to send home students with a potentially contagious illness. 
3. District Buildings and Grounds staff and custodial teams work daily to maintain our schools to their highest standard.  They are stocked and prepared for an increase in illnesses.  
4. FPS maintains an ongoing partnership with the Franklin Health Department for coordination of preparedness plans so the District response is aligned with local and state recommendations.
5. All District staff play a role in communicating about daily observations made in school buildings related to signs of illness and prevention efforts.

1. CDC - Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
2. Wisconsin Department of Health Services (COVID-19)
3. At this time, influenza is still having a much bigger impact on the health of Americans than COVID-19. Learn more from the CDC about what you can do to keep yourselves and your family healthy!

• The needs of every child are different in terms of the support that they require during times that may cause stress. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) released a few beneficial parent resources for talking to children about COVID-19. 

The following are suggested strategies for preventing illnesses, including Coronavirus.

• Stay home when you are sick
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
• Cover your cough and sneeze with a tissue and wash your hands
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains 60% alcohol
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick
• Disinfect frequently touched surfaces often
• Currently, it is not a recommendation from the CDC or Department of Health to wear a mask

1. Contact your doctor’s office or healthcare provider immediately
2. Avoid contact with others as much as possible
3. Do not go to work or school 

The CDC offers additional guidance here related to prevention of spread of the virus and actions to take if you think you or a family member may have COVID-19.

CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a face mask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.

• Face masks should be used by people who are ill to help prevent the spread of the disease to others.  Face masks may also be worn by individuals with certain chronic health conditions whose providers may recommend that they do so. 

• The use of face masks is also crucial for health care workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).

COVID-19, the 2019 novel coronavirus, a strain of coronavirus, was first reported in Wuhan, China in late 2019. The virus, also referred to as SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2), has since spread globally.  Much is still being learned about the disease, including: 

1. How long it takes to begin to show symptoms after being exposed to the virus
2. How severe the symptoms of illness will be in an individual with coronavirus
3. Exactly how the disease can be spread

Learn more about COVID-19 from the CDC by clicking here

COVID-19 appears to be spread primarily through droplets from the throat and nose. This means that people with COVID-19 can spread it to others when they cough, sneeze, or even talk if someone else near them breathes in those droplets. The droplets may also be on objects or surfaces, so if an individual comes into contact with those objects and touches their mouth or eyes, the virus can spread.

(Remember, COVID-19 symptoms are similar to many other respiratory illnesses)

Present in most

1. Fever 
2. Coughing 
3. Fatigue and/or body aches

Present in some

1. Shortness of breath
2. Headache
3. Sore throat
4. Abdominal pain
5. Diarrhea

While there have been confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the US, in general, the immediate risk to the public is low. Unless your family or child has recently traveled to China, Japan, South Korea, Italy or Iran, or you have been exposed to someone currently being treated for COVID-19, your risk is very low. Current studies have shown that older adults and individuals with chronic health conditions are at higher risk of being impacted by the illness. 

The majority of patients with COVID-19 outside of Wuhan, China currently appear to have a mild illness. 

Your doctors or health care providers will work with our local and state health departments and the CDC to determine if testing is required based on symptoms and potential exposures. 

No vaccine against COVID-19 is currently available, but work to develop vaccines is ongoing.

Currently, there are no specific treatments for COVID-19.  Supportive therapies (including fluids and rest) may help relieve symptoms.