An Important Message from AV Boys & Girls Club Regarding COVID-19 (updated 3/19/2020)
Jessica Gaspar • March 12, 2020
UPDATED: March 19, 2020
UPDATED: MARCH 16, 2020
Dear Community Members,
Dear Parents/Guardians,
It’s important that you know the safety and protection of your children our number one priority. We are doing everything possible to keep our Club members, staff and volunteers protected from the COVID-19 virus. Effective March 23,
Under the advisement of our Local Health Authorities, we have decided to close the Club until local schools reopen.
This closure ensures all kids, staff and volunteers are safe when the Club reopens. Should this time frame change upon the need for additional precautions and/or services, we will update you with this information immediately as we fully understand the implications our closure has on both your child and family.
In the meantime, we are advising all our Club staff, families and youth continue to take preventative measures as recommended by the CDC, Los Angeles County and local health authorities. Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us. We will continue to update you with any new information.
As always, our commitment to our Club members and their families is unwavering.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT US AT (661) 267-2582.
UPDATED: MARCH 16, 2020
Dear Community Members,
Safety is the number one priority of Boys & Girls Clubs of Antelope Valley, and we are doing everything possible to keep children, our staff, and volunteers protected from the COVID-19 virus. We continue to monitor all updates from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Los Angeles County health department for updated information. We are advising all staff, families, and youth members to take precautions as recommended by the CDC, and providing additional resources like handwashing guides, and information about how to talk to young people about the spread of COVID-19.
At this time, the Club will remain partially open, with the following additional safety precautions in place:
- Afternoon program at all school sites, the Whitney Mac Center, and Desert Sands Park will remain closed until further notice.
- Full Day program (Club Genius) will be available for working parents from 7:30am to 7:00pm at the Whitney Mac site from March 16-20 and at Desert Sands Park and Whitney Mac from March 23-April 3.
- Space will be limited to 40 kids as to remain under the CDC guideline of gatherings less than 50. Registration will be provided on a first come, first serve basis.
- Additional cleaning and disinfecting of services will be conducted hourly.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Antelope Valley is the only place that some of the families in our community can turn to when schools are closed. We are monitoring this diligently and will continue to operate as long as we are able to provide a safe environment for young people. As always, we place the safety of our youth and staff at the highest level.
Please understand that should local authorities call for a closing of all programs, then the Club will follow the strictest guidelines set forth.
If community members have additional questions, please contact 661-267-2582. We will continue to update you as we know more.
In Service to Youth and Community,
Antelope Valley Boys & Girls Club
MARCH 12, 2020
Dear Parents/Guardians,
Dear Parents/Guardians,
Our commitment to keeping the young people we serve safe is always our number one priority. Following the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, it is important that you know Antelope Valley Boys & Girls Club is doing everything possible to keep your child, our staff and volunteers protected from its spread. We are also closely monitoring reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and our local health department for all updated information.
As a reminder, we follow the operating schedules of local schools so if your local school has a closure, your local Club will be closed as well, along with the Whitney Mac Center in Lancaster.
We recommend these preventive actions that our Clubs and every family should take to prevent exposure to COVID-19.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Stay home when you are sick. Boys & Girls Clubs recommends keeping members home until they are 24 hours fever-free without medication.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
Follow CDC’s recommendations for using a facemask:
- CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.
- Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others.
Wash your hands often:
- Wash your hands often 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.
- It takes an average of 11.8 seconds to sing the entire Happy Birthday song, so if you sing it twice, that will ensure you’ve scrubbed long enough. This is a great method to share with children in your family. While this measure is simple, it is effective.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
- For more information about handwashing, see CDC’s Handwashing website
- The CDC also provides specific guidance for travelers.
At this time, there is no evidence that children are more susceptible.
Children should engage in usual preventive actions to avoid infection, including cleaning hands often using soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer, avoiding people who are sick, and staying up to date on vaccinations, including influenza vaccine.
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network offers a Parent/Caregiver guide
for COVID-19 with more helpful information for families.
Should you have any questions or concerns about this or any other matter, please do not hesitate to contact us directly.
Our commitment to you and your children is unwavering.
Sincerely,
Antelope Valley Boys & Girls Club
Additional Resources for You and Your Families
Basic handwashing videos to use with younger youth:
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT YOUR CLUB'S SITE DIRECTOR OR CALL (661) 267-2582.
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