Latest Health Information

H1N1 Flu Information for Families

NEW INFORMATION

2009 Letter to Parents (PDF)

2009 Letter to Parents of High Risk Students (PDF)

Facts Update Letter (PDF)          2009 Letter to Staff (PDF) 

Staff Update 11/2009 (PDF)      District Updates and Materials (PDF)

District Pandemic Plan (PDF)

Dear Parents and Guardians:

As we enter the new school year, we expect Wisconsin to continue seeing cases of H1N1 flu, the new pandemic flu. School and public health officials are working to keep our children safe and healthy. We need your help!

The most important thing you can do is to keep your child home if he or she is ill. If your child is so sick that you would normally seek medical care, please do so. The H1N1 flu is very similar to ordinary seasonal flu. Each morning, parents and caregivers should check their children and other family members for flu symptoms such as fever, cough, or sore throat. A few cases of H1N1 flu have begun with nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea symptoms.

All sick students should stay out of school for at least 24 hours after fever is gone without the use of medications. Students may be ill for 3-5 days. Ill students should not attend alternative childcare which could expose other children to the virus. If a child or adult is ill with other symptoms, they should stay home at least one day to see how the illness develops and until completely well for 24 hours. Children who become ill during the school day will be sent home. Children and adults who are ill should stay home and not go into the community unless they need medical care. The goal is to prevent unnecessary exposure to other individuals. Please notify the school of all flu-like absences and symptoms or confirmed cases of H1N1 flu.

At this time, health and school officials are not recommending school closures for individual cases of H1N1 flu. We will continue to be in touch with state and local health officials in the case of increased numbers of ill students and staff.

In addition to staying home when sick, here are three important things you and your family can do to help stay healthy and keep others safe:
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs spread that way.

More information about the new H1N1 flu is available on the following web sites:

http://pandemic.wi.gov

http://www.cdc.gov

http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html

http://www.lacrossepanflu.org

Thank you for your patience and cooperation during this time. With your help, we can help keep everyone safe and healthy.

Sincerely,

Mathew Haeger, Manager of Health and Safety