Dear Parent/Guardian:
As part of our communications regarding the H1N1 flu and its impact on schools, I wanted to update you on our current student absence situation at school. To start I would like to thank you for the extra attention that you have taken in making sure that you keep your child who exhibits flu-like symptoms home from school. This is a critical step in limiting the exposure of healthy individuals to the flu and other illnesses.
As of Tuesday, October 27, 2009, we have had a significant increase in the number of student absences. Parents have been reporting flu-like illness symptoms. We expect that many of these cases are H1N1 although not all doctors’ offices or emergency rooms are testing for it at this time. We are also seeing an upswing in other illnesses not related to the flu virus. In conjunction with the Livingston County Health Department we will continue to monitor the levels of student and staff absences. As I wrote to families in September, confirmed cases of H1N1 do not mean that a school district will be closed. School dismissal is not recommended unless absenteeism of students or staff makes it impossible to maintain a normal functioning or safe environment.
Our staff will continue to urge students to follow good personal hygiene habits which include:
- Covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
- Washing your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze.
- Using hand sanitizers when soap and water are not accessible.
- Avoiding touching your eyes, nose or mouth since this is the main way that germs are spread and illnesses are passed from one person to another.
- Trying to avoid close contact with sick people.
The Livingston County Health Department notified us that they expect to have enough of the H1N1 vaccine to conduct a vaccination clinic for students in mid-November. Recently a letter was sent regarding an in-school vaccination clinic for both H1N1 and seasonal flu. Many parents have requested the paperwork for this opportunity. As soon as we receive the documents from the Health Department we will send them to those that made the request.
The Center for Disease Control has information available for parents including a question and answer section that may be able to provide more information. Please check their website at the addresses below:
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/freeresources/2009-10/pdf/pan_flu.pdf
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/freeresources/2009-10/pdf/pan_flu_flier.pdf
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/public/vaccination_qa_pub.htm
As always, questions regarding your family's health are best answered by your personal physician. I will continue to update our school community regarding H1N1 as new information emerges.
