Dear Parents/Guardians:
Many of you have heard recent news reports about H1N1 flu (Swine flu) spreading across the United States and the world. Junction City Elementary School was closed earlier this year due to a large number of student/staff absences. Many were diagnosed with the flu and there was one confirmed case of H1N1. Currently, Junction City is back open.
Your children are our number one priority and when there is a health or safety issue at school we want you to hear the facts directly from us. If any local cases of H1N1 emerge, we will be notified by the local health department. In the meantime, we want to share some basic information with you about the H1N1 virus, how it is spread, how to protect against it and how we in Boyle County are responding.
The symptoms of H1N1 often are similar to the symptoms of regular seasonal flu, and include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. Some who have contracted H1N1 also have reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
We need your help to prevent the spread of illness in our schools, not just H1N1, but any kind of virus. There are some simple everyday actions you can help to protect yourself and your family.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners also are effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth unnecessarily to prevent spreading germs. Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• If your child gets sick, please keep him/her home from school and limit contact with others to avoid spreading infection. If your child is ill and recently has traveled to an area affected by H1N1, or has been in contact with someone who has been infected, contact your child’s healthcare provider immediately.
Our Safe Schools Committee already has a Pandemic Response Matrix and we are utilizing this to guide our decision making. Our district nurse attends health department meetings and updates the district staff daily. Furthermore, we are reviewing with staff and students appropriate hand washing and good hygiene practices. Know that we will continue working with the local health department and monitor the situation carefully.
At this point, there are no plans for the closure of school. Should this change, you will be notified immediately.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact Jane Paynter (859-236-6634) or Pam Tamme (859-936-7502).
The Fayette County Health Department has also set up a hotline. The number is (859) 288-7529.
Sincerely,
Mike LaFavers
Superintendent, Boyle County Schools |
