November 6, 2009

Dear Parents/Guardians:

As we progress through the 2009-2010 school year, we expect to see more cases of both the seasonal and H1N1 influenza. To help prevent the spread of each illness, we are asking that if your child has been out of school with a fever or has had any flu-like symptoms, please be sure that they report directly to the nurse’s office when they return to school. Students should not report to their first period class or shop without first reporting to the nurse’s office.

Again, I would like to remind you that all sick students should stay home at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever. This fever-free period must be without the use of fever-reducing medicines such as Motrin or Tylenol. They should stay home until at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever, even if they are taking antiviral medicines. Many people can expect to stay home for about four days; about 3 days with fever and one more day with no fever and no fever-reducing medicines. However, the fever with influenza can last 2-5 days or more; therefore, students should be prepared to stay home as long as it takes to become fever-free for 24 hours.

We are still waiting to hear from our local public health officials on when the vaccines will be available. If you have not filled out the parent permission forms for the seasonal and H1N1 flu vaccine, please contact the school nurse.

Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at 508-763-8011, ext. 116, or the school nurse at ext. 130.

Sincerely,
Gary Brown
Superintendent-Director