Posted on October 27, 2009

Should symptom free siblings of students with flu symptoms be kept home as well?

The Center for Disease Control advises that only if flu conditions become more severe, are school-aged brothers or sisters advised to stay home for 5 days from the time the household member became sick. By more severe conditions, the CDC means illness that involves longer periods of and more serious symptoms than we are currently seeing.

Posted on October 20, 2009

Several moms are extremely upset that the number of cases & dates of H1N1 in each school is no longer being shared with the families. We have the right to know whether there's been an outbreak or an epidemic in a school that we send our children to each day. We truly hope the district will re-think this policy.

The district is not in a position to do so because the flu is known to spread quickly and easily.  Also, many individuals exhibiting influenza-like illnesses are not being tested for the H1N1 virus at this time so it would be extremely difficult—if not impossible—to disseminate accurate information on “confirmed cases” throughout the coming weeks. Prevention and treatment for the H1N1 flu virus is generally the same as for the seasonal flu, and so distinguishing between the two for the purposes of stopping the spread of illness is not necessarily relevant.

Posted on October 21, 2009

Is it true that desks are NOT allowed to be wiped down during the day? That disinfecting wipes are NOT allowed in the school? This is crazy with H1N1.

No. The wipes just have to be wipes that are purchased by the district so that they meet regulations set forth by NYSED.

Posted on October 20, 2009

I have provided my child with alcohol-based hand sanitizer for her locker, backpack and pocket. I have been reinforcing the use of these sanitizers with her. Is there a problem with them being alcohol-based and is she potentially going to have them taken away from her by school staff because the the district/SED does not condone the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizer?

According to NYS Education Department: "Parents should not send any cleaners, sanitizers, disinfectants or any other chemicals to school for any reason (unless medical, and kept at the nurse’s office under a doctor’s order). The school must maintain access to, and control of, these products and must have the MSDS sheets and inventory control for safety purposes."

Posted on October 20, 2009

I see that you are doing what needs to be done in the schools for the H1N1, but what about the buses? All these children ride on them all day, is there anything being done to keep the buses clean??

The buses are cleaned and sanitized every evening.

Posted on October 20, 2009

How many cases of H1N1 do there need to be in order for the Shenendehowa schools to shut down?

As of 10/20. Protocols for closing schools have been determined by NYS Education Department and NYS Department of Health. Here is what they recommend:

Because H1N1 flu has spread widely throughout the U.S., and people may be contagious prior to showing symptoms, closing individual schools is a less effective way to stop the spread of H1N1 flu. The best way to prevent the spread of H1N1 flu is for sick people to stay home and avoid contact with others until they are well. Local school officials decide when to close their schools. Their local health department (LHD) and the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) or New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYCDOHMH) provide up-to-date guidance and information to help schools make sound decisions. Schools may decide to close temporarily if so many students, faculty, or staff are out sick that the school cannot operate properly.

Posted on October 20, 2009

Another H1N1 question for you. I overheard some people saying today that only hand sanitizers containing alcohol actually kill the H1N1 virus. Is that true? If it is then why are all the hand sanitizers being provided to our schools for students to use non-alcohol based? If the reason is because Shen is trying to become a more "green" district I would hope that our children's (and staff's) health, safety, and well being are more important during this H1N1 threat.

We currently provide alcohol-free hand sanitizers and we are in the process of mounting more dispensers throughout the district. According to the Center for Disease Control, the alcohol-free hand sanitizers provided for students and staff are effective when combined with good hygiene. While alcohol-based sanitizers may be more effective, they can be extremely dangerous. They are a flammable product and moreover there are reports of kids actually trying to drink them. Stated from CDC they would need to be at least 60% alcohol to be effective. NYS Education Department states that if we want to use alcohol-based sanitizer it can only be in supervised areas and not in hallways. The NFPA--National Fire Protection Association has put in effect codes directed to the use of these alcohol-based products. Use and storage is sticky regulated.

Posted on October 15, 2009

We all need to be diligent when it comes to the H1N1 virus and Shen is saying to stay home if sick; HOWEVER, if a child is out they have to make up gym classes and get penalized for not turning in homework. Kids don't want to miss school because they don't want to make up gym classes or HW grades. Why can't school temporarily suspend these gym rules etc.. so kids can stay home and get well without spreading their illness?!

The health advisory which cautions parents to keep students home when symptoms such as fever, cough, chills etc. occur, is not a new standard. We have always recommended that parents keep students home when sick.

Posted on October 15, 2009

Parents get informed with a letter home about lice, disease, strep throat, but no letter home about H1N1? That seems irresponsible as a district!!

The "district" uses the website when it needs to inform people district-wide. Individual classrooms/schools send letters home when there is a case of lice or strep throat within that classroom.