Letter To Parents Regarding Pandemic Flu

Posted: May 01, 2009

Dear Parents,

As you are aware, national, state, and county health departments are on alert concerning the spread of swine flu (H1N1). The Minidoka County School District has and will continue to work closely with the Mini-Cassia Health Department in efforts to keep your children safe. Swine Flu symptoms may include a fever, body aches, cough, sore throat, trouble breathing, runny nose, vomiting, and diarrhea.

We have asked school principals and staff to be aware of students who are absent from school with flu-like symptoms, have traveled out of the country, or have been in states where H1N1 has been identified. We will encourage your children to wash their hands often, use hand sanitizer, and participate in proper respiratory etiquette. Our staff will make efforts keep counters and desk tops sanitized. We will follow our pandemic protocol which is part of our county and district emergency preparedness plan.

If your child is sick, please keep your student home. Please contact your student’s school if your child is experiencing any of the H1N1 symptoms (fever, body aches, cough, sore throat, trouble breathing, runny nose, vomiting, or diarrhea). If the school calls to report your student has become sick while at school, please make timely arrangements to pick-up your student from school.

The Center of Disease Control (CDC) has suggested the following actions we can all take to stay healthy:

  • Practice proper respiratory etiquette by covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing and by appropriately disposing of the tissue.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
  • Avoid touching eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs spread this way.
  • Avoid contact with sick people. H1N1 is spread through person-to-person contact.
You can find additional information on the internet about this issue at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/ or http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/swineflu_you.htm. If you have questions or need further information, you can also reach the Mini-Cassia Health Department at 436-7185 or 678-8221, from 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

 

The Minidoka County School District is committed to providing a safe environment for students, teachers, and staff.

Sincerely,

Dr. Scott A. Rogers

Superintendent of Schools

By: Dr. Scott A. Rogers, Superintendent, Minidoka County Schools