The H1N1 flu (swine flu) has continued to affect our community during the summer break. We believe that this flu virus has the potential to spread more now that school is back in session. We need your help to prevent the spread of flu among our children. The H1N1 flu (swine flu) spreads the same way that regular seasonal flu viruses spread, mainly through the coughs and sneezes of people who are sick with the flu. It can also spread when a person touches an object or surface that harbors flu germs, then touches their eyes, nose or mouth.

We ask for assistance to help slow the spread of flu by doing the following:

• Talk with your child about hand washing. Frequent hand washing with soap and warm water helps remove germs and viruses.  

• Teach your child to cover his or her mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing and then to throw the tissue away. Your child can cough or sneeze into his or her upper sleeve if no tissue is available. Wash hands afterward.

• Encourage your child to eat healthy foods, exercise, and get plenty of rest.

In the event, that your child becomes ill:

• Keep your child home if he or she has a fever of 99.5 °F (measured by mouth and without taking fever-reducing medications) or higher and/or a cough or sore throat for which there is no known cause. Call school and tell them your child’s symptoms. In most cases, your child may return to school after he or she has been fever free for at least 24 hours without taking fever-reducing medications.

• Please be sure that the school has your current emergency contact information.  Students who become ill at school and/or exhibit influenza-like symptoms must be sent home.

• Following a 24 hour recovery period from flu-like symptoms (fever free without fever-reducing medication) students will be required to meet with the school nurse prior to attending classes.