Fillmore Unified School District

March 18, 2020

Fillmore USD Families

The purpose of this message is to provide Fillmore Unified School District families with an update for March 18, 2020 regarding district actions to address COVID-19.

Today our Board of Trustees directed the closure of all Fillmore Unified schools and offices through Friday, May 1, 2020. All district and school events, meetings, activities, athletic practices, and athletic competitions have been cancelled thru May 1, 2020.

This closure is in support of the recommendations from public health officials to encourage “social distancing” to slow the spread of the virus. It is strongly recommended that individuals stay home during the closure as much as possible, and do not gather in public places.

A decision to reopen schools will be made in close consultation with the State of California, Ventura County Public Health, and the Ventura County Office of Education. We hope to reopen on Monday, May 4, 2020, but that decision will depend on the circumstances at the time. District families will be provided with notice prior to May 4, 2020.

We are aware that this closure has resulted in a loss of time spent learning in the classroom and are working to create educational opportunities for students while schools are closed. It is our intent to provide an update to families during the week of March 23rd regarding the district approach to distance learning.

We understand that school closures have significant impacts on our students and families, and we hope to resume normal operations in the future. Thank you for your understanding during this challenging time.

Respectfully,
Adrian E. Palazuelos, Ph.D.
Superintendent
Fillmore Unified School District

Additional Information
World Health Organization Q&A on coronaviruses (COVID-19)
https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/q-a-coronaviruses

VC Emergency (Official Ventura County Incident Information Source)
http://www.vcemergency.com/

California Department of Public Health website:
https://www.cdph.ca.gov/

CDC website:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

City of Fillmore

The City of Fillmore has declared a Local Emergency due to the Public Health threat caused by Coronavirus (COVID-19). Although there are still zero confirmed cases in Fillmore, the declaration is out of an abundance of caution to protect the health, safety, and welfare of our community members and employees. This action is in response to the Ventura County Public Health Department’s recent announcement declaring a local emergency and the Governor’s recent declaration of a state of emergency. The City of Fillmore’s emergency declaration will enable City officials and staff to mobilize resources, formalize an emergency action and contingency plan, and obtain additional resources should an outbreak occur in the City.

As of March 12th, 95 people have been tested by the Ventura County Public Health Lab for COVID-19, 2 results are pending confirmation and 22 travelers are on home quarantine. COVID-19 is a respiratory illness that is easily spread through personal contact, which can lead to serious illness or death for vulnerable members of the community.

The City of Fillmore is following the Ventura County Public Health Department’s latest recommendations and the State’s public health experts to cancel and postpone community events and gatherings where large groups are expected. Consequently, the City of Fillmore is implementing the following precautionary measures:

- Cancellation and postponement of March, April and May community events including
Saint Patrick’s Day Fun Run, Easter Egg Hunt, Community Art Show, and the May Festival.
- Any facility rentals will still be held as scheduled.
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We apologize for any inconvenience these measures may have caused, however the well-being of our community and staff is the City’s highest priority. Please visit our social media page and website fillmoreca.gov for up to date information or vcemergency.com

Community members are strongly encouraged to follow the Ventura County Public Health Department’s recommendations to protect themselves from the COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses highlighted below:

- If you have mild symptoms, there may be no need to go to a medical facility to see a doctor.
- Certain patients, such as the elderly, those that are immune compromised or have underlying health conditions should call their doctor.

- Primary care doctors are the point of contact for COVID-19 testing. You do not need to call Public Health to request COVID-19 testing. Your doctor will make the decision to test at one of the local private labs and if the test is positive your doctor will contact Public Health for confirmation.

- If you have questions, please call the clinic or your doctor before going in. If you do not have a healthcare provider, call 211 for assistance finding support near you.

- Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.

- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

- Get immunized against the flu to protect yourself and your family, and reduce the potential strain on the healthcare system, which may be impacted by COVID-19 concerns.

- Stay home if you are sick.
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A PROCLAMATION OF THE EXISTENCE OF A LOCAL EMERGENCY BY THE DIRECTOR OF EMERGENCY SERVICES PURSUANT TO FILLMORE MUNICIPAL CODE SECTION 15.04.060(A)(1), CALIFORNIA (COVID-19)

WHEREAS, in December 2019, an outbreak of respiratory illness due to a novel coronavirus (a disease now known as COVID-19) was first identified in Wuhan City, Hubie Province, China; and

WHEREAS, COVID-19 has since spread outside of China, impacting more than 75 countries, including the United States; and

WHEREAS, the California Department of Public Health has activated its Medical and Health Coordination Center, and the Office of Emergency Services recently activated the State Operations Center to provide support and guide actions to preserve public health; and

WHEREAS, on March 4, 2020, Governor Newson declared the existence of a state of emergency for the State of California; and,

WHEREAS, on March 12, 2020, the County declared the existence of a local emergency for Ventura County; and,

WHEREAS, it is imperative to prepare for and respond to suspected or confirmed COVID-19 cases within the City, and to prepare to respond to an increasing number or individuals who may require medical care; and

WHEREAS, California Government Code Sections 8558 and 8630, et seq., and Fillmore Municipal Code Section 15.04.060(a)(1) empower the City’s Director of Emergency Services to declare a local emergency if the City Council is not in session; and

WHEREAS, the City Manager of the City of Fillmore is designated as the Director of
Emergency Services pursuant to Municipal Code Section 15.04.050(a); and

WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Fillmore is not in session and cannot immediately be called into session; and

WHEREAS, strict compliance with certain Fillmore Municipal Code and other City regulations could prevent, hinder, or delay appropriate actions to prevent and mitigate the effects of the COVID-19, which issue cannot be timely addressed absent a declaration of emergency; and

WHEREAS, on March 13, 2020, the City’s Director of Emergency Services declared a local emergency thereby activating the Emergency Operations Center due to threats to people within the City from COVID-19, which threats are likely to be beyond the control of the services, personnel, equipment and facilities of the City and will likely require the combined forces of the other political subdivisions of the county, state and federal government; and

WHEREAS, per Government Code Section 8630 a local emergency declared by the Director of Emergency Services shall not remain in effect for a period in excess of seven days unless it has been ratified by the City Council.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT PROCLAIMED THAT the Director of Emergency Services, hereby declare as follows:

SECTION 1. That there is proclaimed a state of local emergency to exist in the City of Fillmore, California, due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

SECTION 2. That this state of local emergency will continue for no more than seven days unless the City Council ratifies this proclamation.

SECTION 3. That as of March 13, 2020, all City departments are directed to take those actions, measures and steps deemed necessary to assure the safety and welfare of the inhabitants of the City of Fillmore including requesting mutual aid to the extent such aid is necessary.

David W. Rowlands, Director of Emergency Services
ATTEST: Oliva Lopez, City Clerk

2019 Explorer of the Year Brianna Morfin.

The Fillmore Community Awards Committee & Fillmore Police Department are proud to announce Senior Explorer Brianna Morfin as the 2019 Explorer of the Year!

Briana was born in Santa Paula and moved to Fillmore at the age of 10. She is currently in high school, where she has maintained a 3.5 GPA. She plans on attending Ventura Community College after graduating. Her goal after Ventura Community College is to transfer to Cal State Los Angeles to pursue a degree in Clinical Psychology, with a minor in English.

Briana has been in the explorer program for over three years. Her drive to help the community and others helped her be promoted to Senior Explorer in the summer of 2019. She constantly strives to improve herself by attending leadership programs. One of her favorite programs was the Ronald Reagan Library Student Leadership Program, which led her to start the Creative Writing Club at her high school. Briana also attended the Thousand Oaks Youth Leadership Camp, this camp allowed her the chance to meet JROTC members from all over the state.

Briana thanks her family for their constant support. She credits the Explorer Program for the opportunity to explore a part of herself she couldn’t find without the various learning opportunities of the program.

Briana wrote, “To my Explorer Advisors, I thank you all for seeing the potential I had, when I didn’t see it myself. Your constant reassurance and support helps me overcome so many obstacles of self-doubt, you’ve built up my confidence. With all of that, I feel like I can overcome anything. To my fellow Explorers, I thank you for embracing who I am and for giving me a chance to help you all individually grow into the best person you could all be. Thank you both, advisors and explorers for walking me through this journey.”

Due to Covid19, we have, as this time, postponed the Community Awards Reception until mid-June. We will keep the public updated if this changes.

City of Fillmore

The City of Fillmore will be closing city hall beginning Wednesday, March 18 to the public. The closure will extend for two-week intervals at which time the need for continued closure would be assessed. City employees would continue to report to work. If you need to conduct city business please call, e-mail or use our on-line functions. We appreciate your understanding during this unprecedented time.

Courtesy https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/checklist-household-re...

As a family, you can plan and make decisions now that will protect you and your family during a COVID-19 outbreak. Creating a household plan can help protect your health and the health of those you care about in the event of an outbreak of COVID-19 in your community. Use this checklist to help you take steps to plan and protect the health of you and your family.

PLAN AND PREPARE
Get up-to-date information about local COVID-19 activity from public health officials
Create a household plan of action.
- Consider members of the household that may be at greater risk such as older adults and people with severe chronic illnesses.
- Ask your neighbors what their plan includes.
- Create a list of local organizations you and your household can contact in case you need access to information, healthcare services, support, and resources.
- Create an emergency contact list including family, friends, neighbors, carpool drivers, healthcare providers, teachers, employers, the local public health department, and other community resources.
- Choose a room in your house that can be used to separate sick household members from others.
Take everyday preventive actions:
- Wash your hands frequently
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces Be prepared if your child’s school or childcare facility is temporarily dismissed or for potential changes at your workplace.
- Administrative Controls refer to employer-dictated work practices

TAKE ACTION
In case of an outbreak in your community, protect yourself and others:
- Stay home and speak to your healthcare provider if you develop fever, cough, or shortness of breath
- If you develop emergency warning signs for COVID-19 get medical attention immediately. In adults, emergency warning signs*:
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- New confusion or inability to arouse Bluish lips or face
- *This list is not all inclusive. Please consult your medical provider for any other symptom that is severe or concerning.
- Keep away from others who are sick
- Limit close contact with others as much as possible (about 6 feet)
Put your household plan into action
- Continue to practice everyday preventive actions
- If someone in the household is sick, separate them into the prepared room
- If caring for a household member, follow recommended precautions and monitor your own health
- Keep surfaces disinfected
- Avoid sharing personal items
- If you become sick, stay in contact with others by phone or email
- Stay informed about the local outbreak situation
- Notify your work if your schedule needs to change
- Take care of the emotional health of your household members, including yourself
Take additional precautions for those at highest risk, particularly older adults and those who have severe underlying health conditions.
- Consider staying at home and away from crowds if you or a family member are an older adult or have underlying health issues
- Make sure you have access to several weeks of medications and supplies in case you need to stay home
- When you go out in public, keep away from others who are sick and limit close contact with others
- Practice good hand hygiene
Take the following steps to help protect your children during an outbreak:
- Notify your child’s school if your child becomes sick with COVID-19
- Keep track of school dismissals in your community
- Discourage children and teens from gathering in other public places

On Monday, March 16, Fillmore Unified School District’s Child Nutrition Services handed out free school lunches (each lunch also include breakfast the for the next day) at three locations. Fillmore Middle School, Mountain Vista Elementary, and Piru Center Square in the middle of town in Piru. On Monday by 12:15pm, Piru had given out 90 meal bags, FMS 120, and Mt. Vista 150. For more info about the program see https://www.blog.fillmoreusd.org/fillmore-high-school-flashes-blog/2020/...

Ventura County, CA – The Ventura County Certified Farmers’ Market Association (VCCFMA) is committed to maintaining its four farmers markets as a vital food facility and local food source during this time of uncertainty with the spread of COVID-19. As a result, the VCCFMA announces that all four markets will remain open for the foreseeable future in Midtown Ventura, Downtown Ventura, Thousand Oaks and Santa Clarita.

In order to provide the safest operations possible, the VCCFMA is modifying its systems by implementing more stringent cleaning and disinfecting protocols at the markets, which include increased sanitization of the equipment and frequently touched areas. Additional hand wash stations and sanitizing products are also available at the markets’ Information Booths. All sampling practices are being discontinued as well as the elimination of cooked foods.

The move of the Thousand Oaks Market scheduled for March 26 to the Front Northwest Outdoor Lot at the Oaks Shopping Center has been postponed during this chaotic time. The market will remain at the East End Parking Lot on Wilbur Road and Thousand Oaks Boulevard until the market operations become stabilized. A new move date, projected for May, will be announced once the site has been approved.

Shoppers can assist with safety by utilizing the hand washing stations, washing hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds before eating or drinking and washing again thoroughly after using the restroom. Products will be limited, and shoppers are asked to observe social distancing as well. All food products need to be thoroughly washed when taken home. It is also advisable not to touch ones’ face, hair, body or clothes. Keeping these tips in mind will help ensure everyone’s safety at the markets.

Current updates will be available on VCCFMA social media channels – Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. For more information, call 805-529-6266, or visit the website at www.vccfm.org