October 1, 2009
H1N1 Influenza Update
As you may know, flu can be easily spread from person to person. Therefore, we are taking steps to reduce the spread of flu in the Spring Cove School District. We are working closely with the Blair County Department of Public Safety and the PA State Department of Health to monitor flu conditions and make decisions about the best actions to take to safeguard our students and staff. We will keep you updated through our website at: http://springcove.schoolnet.com/ with new information as it becomes available. Spring Cove School District has also applied to the PA Department of Health for permission to receive and dispense vaccine to school age students. If we are selected for this program, the vaccination process will be voluntary and will only take place with parental consent. More information will be distributed in the near future about this program.
For now, we are taking precautionary measures as outlined by the PA Department of Education, PA Department of Health and the Center for Disease Control. During the opening of school we have reviewed flu symptoms, personal hygiene and illness guidelines with our staff and students.
H1N1 causes symptoms similar to seasonal flu and can include:
People infected with H1N1 are contagious 1 day before getting sick, and up to 7 days after that. This time period can be even longer in children and people with weakened immune systems.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health cautions anyone with the above symptoms to stay at home (except to get medical care) until at least 24 hours after the fever ends naturally (without the use of fever-reducing medication). Do not attempt to go to school or work. Doing so could spread the virus to those who are otherwise well.
Here are a few things you can do to help protect yourself and your family:
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Keep your hands away from your face and don't touch your mouth, nose or eyes. Germs on your hands can easily spread to your mouth, nose and eyes when you touch your face.
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Keep frequently used surfaces clean.
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Everyone should wash their hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and warm water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
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Everyone should cough or sneeze into a tissue, dispose of the tissue and wash their hands with soap and water afterwards. If no tissue is available, they should cough or sneeze into their arm or sleeve.
Communication will be a key factor in helping our school community control and monitor the spread of the H1N1 virus. When the school nurse identifies a student who appears to have an influenza-like illness, parents will be called to come to the school as soon as possible to take their child home. It is important that the school has up-to-date emergency contact information for your family. It will also be helpful for you to check our website periodically for the most recent information regarding H1N1.
Thanks for your cooperation and consideration.
Rodney L. Green
"Make Every Child A Reading Child"
Superintendent
Spring Cove School District
1100 East Main Street
Roaring Spring, PA 16673
814.224.5124
814.224.5516 FAX
rgreen@scsd.k12pen.com
http://springcove.schoolnet.com