<CENTER>Middle School monitoring flu cases
</CENTER>ABIGAIL DAVIDSON, Hometown Weekly Staff 04.JUN.09
The Dover- Sherborn Regional School System has been regularly updating parents and monitoring the number of absences after around two-dozen middle school students reported having flu-like symptoms last week. In a letter to middle school parents, Frederick Randall, middle school headmaster, stressed that while there appeared to be a number of students infected with the flu, school officials were closely monitoring the situation and there was no need to panic.
According to Randall, as of last week there were between 25 and 30 absences due to flu-like illnesses at the middle school, however, none had been confirmed as H1N1 (swine flu) cases. Additionally, Randall said that number was not uncommon for flu season.
"I think it's typical for the flu season," he explained.
In response to the situation, Randall explained that the school system is exercising extreme precaution in order to ensure the health and safety of all students, as well as the community at large. Extra steps have been taken to make sure that the middle school is being meticulously cleaned, as well as the high school, to prevent any passage of the flu between the two neighboring buildings.
Additionally, students, faculty, staff and parents are being urged to practice good hygiene to prevent the spread of the illness, and parents of sick children have been encouraged to follow the Massachusetts Department of Health's (DPH) recommendations that youngsters exhibiting flu-like symptoms should be kept home for seven days, or until the child is completely well for a full day (whichever is longer).
"We've been doing lots of cleaning, not only washing of desks, but also lot of attention being paid through the Maintenance Department on the common areas and door knobs," related Randall. "The kids are being included in this too, we have Purell dispensers in the classroom and we are encouraging hand washing and good hygiene. We're also trying to make sure if someone is sick with the flu or has symptoms that they are out of school for seven days."
The Middle School has posted a flu symptom checklist on its website, issued by the Massachusetts DPH, to help parents recognize influenza in their children and to help them determine whether or not they should keep their youngsters home from school and seek medical attention.
Randall also explained that he has been working closely with both the state and local health departments to ensure that the school is following all of the recommended guidelines to help prevent the flu from spreading.
School officials are also closely monitoring the number of absences each day, which can be a key indicator in signaling a flu outbreak. While there have been a number of absences due to the flu, Randall stated that there had not been any spike in the number of students staying home due to the flu, and that he did not feel it would be necessary to shut down the school, as has happened in recent weeks at several schools across the state.
"Closing the school hasn't even come up for any discussion," said Randall. "We are continuing to work with the Nurse and Superintendent, monitoring the numbers and checking in with folks. Thus far we haven't seen any significant spikes (in absenteeism)."
While the threat of swine flu caused quite a panic when it first spread from Mexico across the United States border, currently most doctors are not even testing patients with flu symptoms for the specific H1N1 strain, as in a majority of cases the illness has appeared to be quite mild and very similar to seasonal influenza.
For parents concerned about sending their children to school, Randall added that the best course of action is to practice common sense, encourage good hygiene and keep children home if they are sick.
"If you have a fever or you are experiencing flu-like symptoms, you should see a doctor and keep us informed and keep staying tuned. We are sending out updates through our website and through the parent email list," explained Randall. "If your child has a cold and doesn't have a fever and you think they are up to coming to school, they should continue coming. We have been emphasizing washing hands and good hygiene, other than that I wouldn't advise anything too different. I don't feel we are in any danger at this point."
http://www.hometownweekly.net/defau...ame=&pform=&sc=1744&hn=hometownweekly&he=.net
</CENTER>ABIGAIL DAVIDSON, Hometown Weekly Staff 04.JUN.09
The Dover- Sherborn Regional School System has been regularly updating parents and monitoring the number of absences after around two-dozen middle school students reported having flu-like symptoms last week. In a letter to middle school parents, Frederick Randall, middle school headmaster, stressed that while there appeared to be a number of students infected with the flu, school officials were closely monitoring the situation and there was no need to panic.
According to Randall, as of last week there were between 25 and 30 absences due to flu-like illnesses at the middle school, however, none had been confirmed as H1N1 (swine flu) cases. Additionally, Randall said that number was not uncommon for flu season.
"I think it's typical for the flu season," he explained.
In response to the situation, Randall explained that the school system is exercising extreme precaution in order to ensure the health and safety of all students, as well as the community at large. Extra steps have been taken to make sure that the middle school is being meticulously cleaned, as well as the high school, to prevent any passage of the flu between the two neighboring buildings.
Additionally, students, faculty, staff and parents are being urged to practice good hygiene to prevent the spread of the illness, and parents of sick children have been encouraged to follow the Massachusetts Department of Health's (DPH) recommendations that youngsters exhibiting flu-like symptoms should be kept home for seven days, or until the child is completely well for a full day (whichever is longer).
"We've been doing lots of cleaning, not only washing of desks, but also lot of attention being paid through the Maintenance Department on the common areas and door knobs," related Randall. "The kids are being included in this too, we have Purell dispensers in the classroom and we are encouraging hand washing and good hygiene. We're also trying to make sure if someone is sick with the flu or has symptoms that they are out of school for seven days."
The Middle School has posted a flu symptom checklist on its website, issued by the Massachusetts DPH, to help parents recognize influenza in their children and to help them determine whether or not they should keep their youngsters home from school and seek medical attention.
Randall also explained that he has been working closely with both the state and local health departments to ensure that the school is following all of the recommended guidelines to help prevent the flu from spreading.
School officials are also closely monitoring the number of absences each day, which can be a key indicator in signaling a flu outbreak. While there have been a number of absences due to the flu, Randall stated that there had not been any spike in the number of students staying home due to the flu, and that he did not feel it would be necessary to shut down the school, as has happened in recent weeks at several schools across the state.
"Closing the school hasn't even come up for any discussion," said Randall. "We are continuing to work with the Nurse and Superintendent, monitoring the numbers and checking in with folks. Thus far we haven't seen any significant spikes (in absenteeism)."
While the threat of swine flu caused quite a panic when it first spread from Mexico across the United States border, currently most doctors are not even testing patients with flu symptoms for the specific H1N1 strain, as in a majority of cases the illness has appeared to be quite mild and very similar to seasonal influenza.
For parents concerned about sending their children to school, Randall added that the best course of action is to practice common sense, encourage good hygiene and keep children home if they are sick.
"If you have a fever or you are experiencing flu-like symptoms, you should see a doctor and keep us informed and keep staying tuned. We are sending out updates through our website and through the parent email list," explained Randall. "If your child has a cold and doesn't have a fever and you think they are up to coming to school, they should continue coming. We have been emphasizing washing hands and good hygiene, other than that I wouldn't advise anything too different. I don't feel we are in any danger at this point."
http://www.hometownweekly.net/defau...ame=&pform=&sc=1744&hn=hometownweekly&he=.net