September 28, 2009
Dear Federal Way Public Schools Parents and Guardians,
I’m writing to update you on the district’s efforts to
plan and prepare for a possible resurgence of the H1N1 (swine) flu virus in our
schools.
We do not know how many students or staff will be affected
during this coming school year. Last spring, we had a scattering of cases of
H1N1 flu in our schools. But, given the rise in the number of
cases on the East Coast and in some areas of our state, we are planning ahead
with the assumption that we will see some impact on student and staff
attendance.
Our health services staff continues to work closely with the
Seattle – King County Health Department and state and federal agencies. A team
of district officials has been assembled to move quickly to respond to the
needs of our staff, students and parents if an outbreak occurs.
How can I help prevent an outbreak of the H1N1 or seasonal flu in
my child’s school?
Parents,
you are the first line of prevention. Although it can be a real inconvenience,
by keeping your child home when he or she appears to be sick, you will be doing
everyone else a great favor. Students begin mingling with other students on the
bus and at school before they see our school staff. By the time we are alerted
to an ill child, dozens of others may have been exposed. There are several
symptoms of the flu, but there is one in particular we need you to watch for –
a fever.
Please - take the time to check your kids for a fever every
morning and evening. Anyone who has a
fever, especially if it is above 100 degrees F,* should stay home. Do
NOT send your child to school or daycare with a fever. Other
symptoms that indicate that you or your child may have the flu are listed on
the district webpage, www.fwps.org/info/health. Children
(and staff) should remain at home for 24 hours after the fever or signs of
fever are no longer present, without the
use of fever-reducing medicine.
However, like the
seasonal flu, symptoms of the H1N1 flu may not be apparent for the first two
days a person is infected. What can we protect
ourselves if someone is not visibly ill?
1. Shield yourself and those
around you from the seasonal flu by getting a flu shot. The Health
Department says that anyone who wishes to get a seasonal flu shot can, and probably
should. It is available now.
You’ll stay healthier and stronger to fight other infections that are
circulating.
The H1N1
vaccine is expected to be available in mid-October, 2009 for individuals
considered at highest risk for complications from the H1N1 virus. By the end of
October, additional doses will be available. More information about this is on
the Seattle-King County Public Health webpage:
http://www.kingcounty.gov/healthservices/health/preparedness/pandemicflu/swineflu.aspx.
2. Sneeze or cough into
a tissue, elbow or sleeve. Keep tissues close at hand and use them if
possible. Throw the tissue in the trash after use. Teach your
children and your students to do the same.
3. Wash your hands
often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Wash for 20 seconds, or as long as it takes to sing the ABC song
(or Happy Birthday, twice). Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective,
unless the hands are visibly dirty. Hand sanitizer is available at our schools.
4. Avoid touching
your eyes, nose or mouth. These are great
entry portals for germs.
5. Clean and disinfect frequently-touched surfaces. Viruses can survive on surfaces for
several hours and may be transferred to someone else who touches the surface.
Because of this, the health department recommends
frequent cleaning and disinfecting of often-touched surfaces. More details can be found under Prevention Measures We Can All Take
at http://www.fwps.org/info/health/.
Have a
personal plan for home. If you or your
children get the flu, you should have a plan regarding who will provide care.
The health department offers an 8-page booklet on getting ready for the flu.
You can download and print the document, or order printed copies at the
following website: http://www.kingcounty.gov/healthservices/health/preparedness/pandemicflu/getready.aspx.
What
if my child becomes ill at school?
When a student becomes ill at
school, we isolate him or her from others, and contact the parent to arrange
transportation home as quickly as possible. If it appears he or she may have
the flu, the student may also
be asked to wear a surgical mask to prevent droplets from spreading when they
cough, if they can tolerate it. (This is a new procedure and will be
implemented if there is not a separate room or a room with enough space to keep
the child 3-6 feet from others.) Wearing surgical masks is not recommended if
you are well.
Schools are not equipped or staffed to care for large
numbers of sick children. We will provide students who are ill with comfort and care until a
parent can arrive. Again, we ask that you avoid sending your child if he or she
shows signs of being sick. If you get a call from the school that your child is
sick, please pick him or her up as quickly as possible.
The CDC is monitoring
H1N1 and will provide further recommendations for school districts if the
warranted. The district’s team is
monitoring all developments. Please watch for future communications
regarding H1N1 and your family’s health, and check the district website
frequently. Stay well.
Sincerely,
Mark
Davidson, Deputy Superintendent