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Preparing for a Healthy School Year

handwashingIf you have been following the news since last spring, you are aware that a new virus has been mutating and spreading, world wide. This new virus, H1N1–also called the Swine Flu,  was first detected in people in the United States in April 2009. This virus is spreading from person-to-person in the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread.

As a district, we have been watching the reports predicting the spread of the H1N1 will increase as soon as school resumes.  Mr. Nick Ceglarek, our superintendent, has asked that we share two documents regarding this virus.

The first, H1N1 Parent Letter sept 09, is a letter for parents from our local Ottawa County Health Department.  I encourage you to read this so that you are informed about symptoms, treatment and precautions.

The second document, CDC H1N1 Tips, is similar but has more specific preventative strategies to share with family and friends.

If your child develops a cough or fever, PLEASE be on alert and keep your child home from school.  Children should not return to school until they are SYMPTOM FREE FOR 24 HOURS.  Your help with this protocol will help to prevent others from getting sick.

We will encourage handwashing just as we always do and focus on a healthy learning environment that is clean and safe.  Please know that we are also going to be calm and supportive,  working to not raise children’s anxieties about flu worries.

If you would like to know more about the CDC tips for all health issues, visit the live CDC link on the upper right corner of this blog.

Also, if you would like to help your own children learn how to wash their hands properly, listen to the CDC’s kid friendly podcast below.  Here’s to clean hands and good health!

kidtastics cdcCDC Kidtastic Podcast:

How To Wash Your Hands

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