Manhasset public schools

Manhasset Public Schools
September 8, 2009 Dear Parents/Guardians, The District, under the guidance of County, State and Federal health officials, is preparing to meet the challenge of an anticipated early fall novel H1N1 Influenza (Swine Flu) outbreak by: 1. Remaining in close contact with County and State health officials (please read Dr. Maria Carney’s letter on the District’s web site), 2. Keeping schools open during the epidemic unless conditions drastically change, 3. Establishing a targeted disinfection cleaning protocol using disposable paper application products for frequently touched surfaces e.g. door handles, cafeteria tables, bathroom facilities, computer keyboards and desk tops, 4. Providing easily accessed liquid soap in every classroom with a sink and in common lavatory areas throughout the schools, as well as non-alcoholic hand sanitizers in convenient dispensers to supplement washing with soap and water, 5. Encouraging students to properly wash their hands by providing the time needed whenever necessary, especially after coughing or sneezing, 6. Teaching and emphasizing the respiratory etiquette of covering the nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing and throwing the tissue in the provided trash receptacle immediately after its use. If a tissue is unavailable coughing or sneezing into one’s arm or sleeve (not into one’s hand) is recommended. To encourage respiratory etiquette students and staff will have access to tissues. 7. Reporting school attendance daily on the District’s web site. 8. Requiring students and staff with flu-like symptoms to go home and remain home until at least 24 hours after they are free of fever (100 degrees F) without the use of fever-reducing medications. This same rule applies to those taking Tamiflu or other viral suppressant medications. A person may return to school while taking Tamiflu as long as he/she has been free of fever without the help of medications containing acetaminophen or ibuprofen for at least 24 hours. 9. Authorizing the school nurse to determine if a student or staff appears to have flu like symptoms at arrival or becomes ill during the day to promptly separate them from other students and staff and send them home. Ill persons awaiting transportation home will be placed in a well ventilated area where at least 6 feet of distance can be maintained between the ill person and others. Fortunately, current medical opinion is that this novel H1N1 influenza is a mild illness for the great majority of those infected. It however could increase in scope and severity compared with the spring 2009 H1N1 outbreak. Should this occur the District could consider additional responses including, with the guidance of State and County education and health officials, preemptive school dismissal. Charles Cardillo 200 Memorial Place– Manhasset, New York 11030
Telephone: (516) 267-7740– Fax: (516) 365-8974

Source: http://www.manhassetsca.org/MSDResources/Documents2009-10/H1N1LetterforWebsiteSept09.pdf