SDCCS H1N1 Flu Virus Information

October 13, 2009

Dear Parents and Guardians,

As you may know, the H1N1 flu virus is present in our community, state and throughout the nation. Our school district is working closely with County of San Diego Public Health Services to monitor flu conditions and to make the best decisions concerning our schools. We are doing everything we can to keep our school open while protecting the health and safety of students, staff and the community.

To do this, we need your help. Because all influenza or “flu” viruses can easily spread from person to person, here are some ways to protect you and your family from getting sick.

• Teach your children to wash their hands often with soap and water or use a hand-sanitizer that is at least 60% alcohol. Adults can set a good example by doing this too. Alcohol based hand-sanitizers are located in every classroom.
• Teach your children not to share personal items like drinks, food or unwashed cups/utensils, pencils, pens, or cell phones.
• Teach your children to cover coughs and sneezes with tissues (tissue should go in the trash after use) or by coughing into their sleeve or the inside of their elbow. Be sure to set a good example yourself. Avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth since germs spread this way.
• Know the signs and symptoms of the flu. Flu-like symptoms consist of fever (100°F and above) with cough. Other symptoms include sore throat, chills, aches, headache, runny or stuffy nose, nausea, and vomiting.
• Keep sick children at home for at least 24 hours after the fever is gone without using fever-reducing drugs. Keeping children with a fever at home will reduce the number of people who may get infected. High-risk students who may infect other high-risk students may have to stay home at least 7 days.
• Do not send children to school if they are sick. Children who are determined to be sick at school will be sent home.
• Check with your health care provider about getting yourself and your children vaccinated for seasonal (regular) flu soon and H1N1 flu when available.
• Pre-plan child care options if your child becomes ill and is excluded from school, or if their classroom or school is closed due to high infection rates.

We will keep you updated as new information becomes available or if there are changes to our school’s guidelines. For the most current H1N1 flu information, please visit the school website at www.sdccs.org, the district website at www.sandi.net or go to www.flu.gov.

Sincerely,

Dr. Wendy Ranck-Buhr
Principal, San Diego Cooperative Charter School

May 2, 2009

Dear SDCCS Families,

As I am sure you have heard 3 schools in San Diego have dismissed students for 14 days due to the H1N1 virus or Swine flu. As of Friday, May 1, 2009 we do not have any suspected or confirmed cases of this virus among our students or staff. If your children are well and not exhibiting symptoms, we absolutely want them in school. Several parents have been asking why schools are being closed because of this flu. In a conference call with the State Superintendent, Jack O'Connell and Dr. Sorenson, the Director of the California Department of Public Health, school administrators were told that the purpose for school closure is to attempt to limit the number of cases overall. Schools are a unique environment where many children come in close contact with one another over an extended period of time. For this reason, students can more readily transmit illness to one another. We all need to work together to keep all of our children and staff healthy and in school.

What Are We Doing At School?

• Reminding students to wash their hands frequently and to cover their mouths and noses when they cough.
• Providing all classroom teachers with supplies to wipe down table tops throughout the day.
• Installing dispensers for waterless hand sanitizer in classrooms and other high traffic areas throughout the school.
• Directing custodial staff to keep all soap and towel dispensers filled at all times at all sinks.

How Can You Help?

• Keep your children home if they are sick.
• Remind your children to wash their hands frequently and to cover their mouth and nose when they cough or sneeze.
• Create a backup plan now for childcare in the event your child becomes sick at school or we are ordered to dismiss students.
• Keep the school informed if your child becomes ill and is showing signs of the flu. The San Diego County Office of Public Health suggests following up with your pediatrician if your child is showing signs of the flu. Please inform the school office if your family doctor tells you that he/she suspects your child has the H1N1 virus. (See links on our school website for the most up to date information on this topic.)
• Check www.sdccs.org periodically for updates on this topic as it specifically relates to our school.
• Make sure your e-mail address is correct for your class e-mail list.

Will SDCCS Be Closed? Who Decides That?

• * The current recommendation from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) is to dismiss students from school for 14 days when there is a single suspected or confirmed case of the H1N1 virus. The California Department of Public Health is following the recommendations of the CDC on this matter. At this time we do not have any cases of any kind.
• A confirmed or suspected case must be confirmed by a medical doctor and reported to the San Diego County Department of Public Health. A Public Health Officer makes the determination to dismiss students. It is not a decision that is within the scope of authority of the school principal or board of directors.
• In the event of student dismissal, teachers are prepared to send lessons home via the class e-mail list.

It is the sincere hope of every staff member here at SDCCS that we are able to get to the end of our school year without any interruption to our instructional program. We are deeply appreciative of your help, support, and cooperation.

Sincerely,
Dr. Wendy,
Principal, San Diego Cooperative Charter School

April 28, 2009

Dear SDCCS Families,

As I am sure you have heard, swine flu has been diagnosed in individuals within San Diego County. It is safe for children who are not ill to be at school and school will remain open. I am closely monitoring the guidelines and directions being given to schools from the County Office of Public Health Services and I will keep you updated through e-mail blasts, our phone system and letters home. Here at school all of the adults are reminding children to wash their hands with soap and to use tissues or a shirt sleeve when sneezing. We are also monitoring students who are sent to the office with flu symptoms. Children who exhibit flu symptoms will need to be sent home. Please help us by monitoring your children's health, keeping them home if they are not feeling well and reporting to us promptly if your child is ill. The symptoms of the swine influenza virus infection are similar to those of seasonal influenza. These symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting. The annual flu shot does not offer protection against this particular virus.

Here are some ways you can protect yourself and your family:

• Practice good hand hygiene-wash your hands properly and often.
• Cover your cough-with a tissue, or sneeze into your sleeve.
• Children and adults who are sick should stay home from school or work and stay away from other people who are sick.

For more information, please contact the San Diego County Swine Flu Hotline at (858) 715-2250. If you have a particular concern about swine flu, please call your personal physician or the County Public Health Services at (619) 515-6520.

Sincerely,
Dr. Wendy,
Principal, San Diego Cooperative Charter School