November 2009

Dear Parents/Guardians,

As you may know, flu season is upon us, and we have been carefully monitoring attendance. To date, we have been averaging a 5.4% absence rate District-wide, which is consistent with other years. Most absenteeism is due to typical illness such as strep throat, stomach virus and flu-like symptoms. It has been reported that several absences in the district indicated H1N1 Influenza A. These were based on doctor administered nasal swab tests, which do not necessarily indicate the Swine Flu strain. The Swine Flu strain is identified only by a specific test administered at hospitals.

As we did last year, only the number of confirmed cases of the Swine Flu strain of H1N1 Influenza A, along with the schools where they have occurred, will be posted on the District website. We are working closely with the school’s physician and local health agencies to monitor absenteeism so we can make decisions about the best steps to take should conditions change. For now, we are doing everything we can to keep school functioning as usual.

We also continue to ask faculty to review healthy habits with our students. Here are a few things you can do to help:

·     Remind your children to wash their hands often.

·     Remind your children not to share personal items like drinks or food.

·     Remind your children to cover up coughs and sneezes using the elbow, arm or sleeve.

·     Do not send children to school if they are sick.

·     Know the signs of flu. Symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, body aches, headaches, and fatigue. Some patients may also vomit or have diarrhea.

·     Keep sick children home for at least 24 hours AFTER they are symptom and fever free without the aid of medications such as Tylenol or Motrin.

As we progress through flu season, please check the District website for helpful hints and updates. If your child is an elementary student, please call your school’s nurse to report absences and student illnesses. For middle and high schools students, please call your school’s attendance office.

Should you have any questions, please call your child’s school.

Sincerely,

Robert Aloise, Ed. D.

Superintendent of Schools