Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Welcome back...FYI- How We Are Preparing for Flu Season

Welcome back. I hope everyone enjoyed their summer break. I know I did!

Keeping you current.

With the abundance of information circulating in regards to the upcoming flu season and the continued spread of the "Swine" or H1N1 flu virus I thought I should share with you the
steps that we are taking at Black River Local School District this year.

All students will be sent home if they present to the clinic with a fever of 99 degrees or higher. They may not return till they have been fever-free for 24 hrs without the assistance of fever reducing medication.

Though to some this may sound a bit harsh, it is our responsibility to recognize and remove ill students from the school setting. It is our main defense in providing the highest medical protection to our student & staff population.

Tips we are utilizing to educate the students at school:

Proper hand hygiene (frequent hand washing vigorously for 15-20 seconds with soap) As we tell the children, singing Happy Birthday to yourself twice is the preferred time we are striving for.

Respiratory Etiquette "coughing/sneezing into your forearm/elbow area.

Avoid letting your hands/fingers touch your mouth and nose area. This will decrease the spread of germs one may have touched throughout the day.

Utilizing disposable paper cups at water fountains. We have placed cup dispensers at all Elementary drinking fountains to deter mouth contact on the fountain nozzles.

Teachers are wiping down desks at the end of the class day with disinfectants. This is above and beyond the nightly custodial cleaning.

Hand sanitizer Dispensers Placed in all classrooms within reach for students to use throughout the school day.

So as you can see, we ARE taking as many precautionary measures as feasibly possible within the school buildings and are asking for your support in keeping your ill children home when symptoms present. All children need to remain home until they have been fever free for 24 hours without fever reducing medications.

Should you have any questions, please feel free to call my office at 419-736-2161, ext. 403.

Nurse Donna