This letter will be sent home with Scotia-Glenville's
nearly 2,800 students during the week of Oct. 26.

October 26, 2009

Dear Parents:

I hope the school year has been going well for you and your children.

I wanted to update you on measures that we have taken at Scotia-Glenville to deal with the seasonal and H1N1 “swine” flu season this fall as well as to remind you and your family of a few ways to better combat both viruses.

At this early stage of the flu season, it would appear that both strains are less widespread than was feared by health officials. Despite that, we are working with our school nurses and county health officials to ensure that Scotia-Glenville takes all of the necessary steps in case the viruses begin to spread more quickly:

• Non-alcohol based hand sanitizers have recently been installed in each school. While we continue to stress hand-washing as the best means of fighting the spread of the flu viruses, the sanitizers are located in areas where children may find themselves without water, such as in hallways.

• The school district’s cleaning staff is continuing to vigorously clean and sanitize high-traffic areas in all of the schools in an effort to stay ahead of the spread of the virus.

• Schenectady County plans to offer H1N1 flu immunizations in schools beginning in November. We will communicate with you once the schedule has been determined. These shots are voluntary. Parents will be asked to sign permission forms allowing the shots to be given to their children by public health personnel in school. You may also contact your child’s physician for the shots.

• School nursing coordinator Joanne Reynolds and I have been monitoring the number of students and staff who have been absent since the beginning of school. I think it is fair to say that there is flu present, but it has not affected large numbers of either students or staff. That experience is also being seen in other area school districts.

In general, fewer than 5 percent of our students have been absent on any day since school started. If the percentage were to climb dramatically, we would intensify efforts by adding staff at that school to further sanitize furniture, desktops, doorknobs and classrooms.

More flu information and links to the Centers for Disease Control and state Health Department can be found at the district’s Web site - ScotiaGlenvilleSchools.org.As we have mentioned in the past, we would like to encourage you to stay informed and be aware of the steps you can take to keep you and your children as safe as possible from the flu. Here are a few reminders:

Flu-like symptoms include: a fever (over 100°F or 37.8°C), feverishness, cough, sore throat, runny nose, or stuffy nose. With H1N1 influenza, additional symptoms may include muscle pain, fatigue and sometimes vomiting or diarrhea.

Students who are showing the signs of illness with the above symptoms should be kept at home.

With many flu cases, the symptoms can last a week or more. Families should have plans in place in case their children need to be home for that period of recuperation. Students and staff should not return to school until they are feeling well and have been fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications.

Any children who are in school and exhibit these symptoms will be sent to the nurse’s office and their parents or guardians called to pick them up.

If you have special concerns about your child’s medical condition, contact his or her school nurse directly.

To help stop the spread of illness, parents are encouraged to teach their children how to reduce their risk of getting the flu and protect others from infection by:

• Washing their hands often – especially after coughing or sneezing. Washing with soap and hot water for at least 20 seconds is ideal (that’s about as long as it takes to sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice).

• Keeping their hands away from their face and avoid touching their mouth, nose or eyes.

• Covering their coughs and sneezes with tissues – and then dispose of the tissues.

• Coughing or sneezing into the inside of their elbows – not into their hands!

• Keeping a distance from others who cough, sneeze or show cold symptoms.
  Help your children to learn these healthy habits by setting a good example and always doing them yourself.

If we all practice good hygiene, health officials believe we can limit the spread of the H1N1 virus both within our schools and throughout our community.

Finally, thank you. As we look forward to a great year, we also must work in partnership to protect the health and well being of our students. Please know that there is no higher priority for our district. If you have questions, please contact us.

Sincerely,

Susan M. Swartz, Superintendent of Schools