The Flu --- Thoughts, Tips and Information ---- from the Superintendent
As our School District moves into the Fall and Winter months, already we are seeing signs and symptoms of the flu within our community and around the State. Certainly, almost everyone will either “catch the flu bug”, or have to deal with it in some manner. Therefore, we would like to stress to parents and staff along with our patrons in the community to be on the lookout for these common symptoms of the flu:
Ø High fever
Ø Fatigue, exhaustion, general physical discomfort
Ø Body aches
If your child is ill or you see any of these signs, please keep your child at home.
This past week, we experienced firsthand the impact of the flu season as we had two football games cancelled, one away game along with our Homecoming game last Friday night. Although many people questioned the cancellations, we felt it was the right thing to do given the amount of illness and absences our competitors in the Phoenix School District had been experiencing.
In dealing with practices which will help to prevent the spread of any flu bugs, I would ask all parents and patrons to be extra aware of these helpful practices:
Ø Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing/sneezing OR
o Cough/sneeze into your arm
o Toss all tissues into the trash
Ø Wash hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing
o Hand sanitizers are effective
o Avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth after coughing/sneezing
o Try to avoid, when possible, close contact with others who are sick
If your family becomes a victim of the flu bug, along with the above precautions, I would ask that you be cautious in any statements regarding the type of flu that your child may have. Many people are ready to assume that any “flu” this year is going to be the H1N1 (swine flu). As noted by the Department of Health, the H1N1 can only be determined by hospitalization or by a State Medical Lab test. According to health department supervisors, a local physician cannot make an official H1N1 determination.
Specifically to our parents, I would ask that if you have a child who is ill with the “flu bug”, keep your child home and keep the school informed accurately as to the status of your child. As noted by the Department of Health, only if a person has been hospitalized or has been identified by a test from the State Medical Lab will a confirmation of the H1N1 (swine flu) be so designated. I ask for your caution with comments simply due to the concern that rumors or misinformation could cause others to become overly concerned about their own child and attendance at school. As a school district, we will monitor the number of absences along with reasons for the absences. Accurate information will help us make good decisions regarding simple colds, or serious flu bug concerns. Please know that our district will do what we can to keep the environment safe, clean and assist the students in using healthy practices which can help to reduce the spreading of germs. Together we will work through this season, the colds and the flu bug; together we will be able to keep our classrooms running well and healthy by practicing good health guidelines and maintaining healthy information for everyone.