September 18, 2009

Dear Parents and Families,

This letter is to inform you that the State of New York and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) have issued new guidelines regarding the presence of the H1N1 Virus, commonly known as Swine Flu.  Last spring, people were impacted by this virus in several states, including New York State. In recent days, we have heard that medical professionals fear that an outbreak in the coming months may be more serious than last spring and we want to assure you that we are taking steps to be prepared should this happen. We realize that people may be worried and we hope this letter will help address your concerns.

At this time, the Center for Disease Control (CDC), in partnership with state and local health departments, has issued recommendations for school districts as the school year gets underway which we hope to employ at school and in collaboration with our district’s families:

þ     Parents are encouraged to keep children at home when they are sick. Those children with flu-like symptoms should stay at home for at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever or signs of a fever without fever-reducing medication.  They should stay at home even if they are using anti-viral drugs.  Flu-like symptoms include: fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher), feverishness, cough, sore throat, runny nose, or stuffy nose. Additional symptoms may be experienced including muscle pain, fatigue, and sometimes vomiting or diarrhea.

þ     Encourage children through teaching and modeling the proactive habits associated with proper hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette. Our staff will remind all children of the benefits of washing hands frequently with soap and water when possible and covering noses and mouths with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. If no tissue is available, using an upper shirt sleeve or elbow is a better choice than one’s hand. We hope that you will join us in such efforts. If we all practice good hygiene, health officials believe we can limit the spread of swine flu in our school.

þ     School staff will routinely clean areas that students and staff touch often with the cleaners typically used.  Our custodial crew will be conducting cleaning with special cleaners every day, including all bathroom areas, door knobs, bus seats, computer hardware, and other areas frequently touched by students and staff.

Please know that it is being promoted by the Center for Disease Control as well as the state and local health departments that schools need not close, unless the outbreak is so serious that staff attendance is not adequate to operate the program. However, this will be a local decision. We will inform parents immediately if the situation changes and it becomes necessary to close schools. Please be assured that we are working closely with the local health department to monitor flu conditions and make decisions about the best steps to take concerning school.

As warranted, we will keep you updated with new information but the following is offered to gain further insight about the flu. You may also get information at www.cdc.gov, www.nyhealth.gov, www.schoolhealthservicesny.com, or the 24 hour toll-free hotline that New Yorkers across the State can use to get answers to their questions. The hotline is 1-800-808-1987.

Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our children and our schools healthy and we will notify you of any additional changes to our school district’s strategy to prevent the spread of the flu.

Respectfully,

Shaun A. O’Connor

Superintendent of Schools

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