September 08 , 2009

Dear Parent/Guardian:

This letter is written to give you information and guidance as we enter into the new school year and the anticipated flu season, especially as it relates to the H1N1 influenza.  I would like to address three key points.  The first is to provide information to help prevent the spread of flu.  Second, are the strategies the Edina Public Schools will use to prevent the spread of flu, and third, are resources for information regarding H1N1 influenza.

Preventing the spread of flu: 

The flu can be easily spread from person to person. Edina Public Schools plans to keep the schools open to students and functioning in a normal manner during this flu season. We will need your help to do this by following these important steps as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Minnesota Department of Health, in the attached letter that they have directed school districts to distribute to parents/guardians.

The District’s prevention strategies

Edina Public Schools is working closely with the Minnesota Department of Education and the Minnesota Department of Health to monitor flu conditions and make decisions about the best steps to take concerning schools and staff.

• Students will be educated and encouraged to practice good hygiene, including covering mouth and nose when they cough or sneeze and to practice frequent hand washing.
• Signage of coughing etiquette and hand washing technique will be posted throughout the buildings.
• Installation of hand sanitizer dispensers in reception areas and health offices in all buildings including cafeterias at the three secondary buildings have occurred.
• All students will be asked to wash their hands before lunch.
• Custodial staff will check restrooms regularly to assure that fresh soap and hand towels are always available. 
• Staff will be asked to stay home when sick, until at least 24 hours after there are no longer signs of fever (without the use of fever-reducing medicine).
• Staff will be expected to use the same preventive measures as students. 
• Flu illnesses will be monitored daily through the health office in each building.
• A district flu preparedness team has been formulated to plan and respond to the spread and severity of the H1N1 influenza.

Resources and information on H1N1 influenza:

Edina Public Schools will keep families updated with new information as it becomes available via our district website and through school communications.  The Center for Disease Control (CDC) and other public health agencies will be monitoring national data on the number of people who seek care for flu-like illness, as well as the number of hospitalizations and deaths.  CDC will also look at the geographic spread of flu-like illness and will look for changes in the characteristics of the virus.  CDC will provide advice to state and local agencies on appropriate steps to take, depending on projected impact locally. 

The most current information about the spread of the flu in the United States can be found at www.flu.gov.  The most current information about flu in our state and community can be found at www.health.state.mn.us.  The Edina Public Schools’ website at www.edina.k12.mn.us will keep you updated with new information and changes to our strategies to prevent the spread of flu if it becomes more severe.

I want to thank you for your cooperation and support in this effort.  I am confident that by working together, we can keep our schools functioning in a normal manner throughout this flu season.

Sincerely,

Ric Dressen, Ed.D.
Superintendent