|
29 April 2009
Dear Parents,
This letter is to inform you that the State of New York
has entered a heightened surveillance stage resulting
from the presence of a swine flu virus that is making
people sick in several states, including New York State,
and also in Mexico. Although, to date, only mild illness
has occurred in the United States, we realize that many
people are worried and we hope this letter will help
address your concerns. Despite confirmed cases of swine
flu in a private school in Queens, New York City, we
believe students can safely attend classes and schools
will remain open at this time (with the exception of the
school in Queens at which confirmed cases were
discovered).
At this time, the state and local health departments
have advised us that students can continue to come to
school, as long as they are not sick and do not think
they have flu symptoms. Flu-like symptoms include: fever
(over 100 degrees F.), feverishness, cough, sore throat,
runny nose, or stuffy nose. Additional symptoms may be
experienced with swine flu, including muscle pain,
fatigue, and sometimes vomiting or diarrhea.
Flu spreads easily. If you suspect your child is getting
the flu, it is important that he/she does not attend
school or go anywhere else—such as group childcare, the
mall, or sporting events—where other people would be
exposed to flu germs. It is also important to teach your
children how to reduce their risk of getting the flu and
protect others from infection.
-
Teach your children to wash their
hands often. Washing with soap and hot water for at
least 20 seconds is ideal (that’s about as long as
it takes to sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice).
-
Teach your children the proper
use of hand sanitizer. Gels, rubs, and hand wipes
all work well, as long as they contain at least 60%
alcohol. Hand wipes must be disposed of properly.
Always read and follow label instructions when using
hand sanitizer.
-
Teach your children to keep their hands away from
their face and avoid touching their mouth, nose, or
eyes.
-
Teach your children to cover
coughs and sneezes with tissues or by coughing into
the inside of their elbow. Cough or sneeze into your
sleeve—not your hands!
-
Help your children to learn these
healthy habits by setting a good example and always
doing them yourself.
If we all practice good hygiene, health officials
believe we can limit the spread of swine flu in our
school at this time. We are consulting with local health
officials regarding best cleaning practices for
infection control in our buildings.
While the current situation does not warrant school
closure, if swine flu continues to spread and more
students become ill, it may become necessary to close
schools for a period of time. We are working with our
School Medical Director and Clinton County Health
officials to monitor the situation here and will make
all
decisions in consultation with them and state officials.
We will inform parents immediately if the situation
changes and it becomes necessary to close schools.
If schools are closed, please do not make
arrangements—such as sending children to a friend’s home
or group childcare—that will put them in close contact
with other children. It is important to plan ahead. Have
a family discussion now to consider options in advance
of the event of a school closing.
Please stay informed by paying attention to media
reports. 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.
Sincerely,
Peter J. Turner |
|
|
|
