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10/20/09: Flu update We are writing to you this evening with an update regarding influenza in our schools, as we believe it is the responsibility of the district to keep parents informed. These updates allow our parents to continue to be vigilant in their efforts to ensure their children remain healthy. While daily absenteeism is decreasing at schools such as Cumberland Valley High School, numbers are on the rise at schools such as Hampden, Silver Spring and Good Hope. To date, the district has had a total of approximately 265 students district-wide with the flu. We recognize this number seems high, but please understand this only represents approximately 3½ percent of our total district-wide student enrollment. District administration continues to be in contact with the PA Department of Health. Further, we are following all guidance from the DOH and Centers for Disease Control. Schools will remain open and operate as normal. The district will continue its stringent cleansing guidelines, and will continue to educate children and staff about the importance of healthy hygiene. Further, we will remain in contact with local physicians who are also monitoring numbers and recognize an influx in the number of patients presenting with flu-like symptoms. We ask that you continue your proactive efforts to ensure your child’s health. Recommendations to help prevent the spread of the flu include: -- Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or sleeve. -- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. -- Avoid close contact that can spread the virus: hugging, kissing or even shaking hands if you think you are sick. -- Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to prevent them from getting sick. -- If you are sick, stay home from work, school and errands; Keep sick children at home; and always consult a health care provider. Please also remember that it is equally as important to keep sick children home as it is to send your healthy child to school. Students who come to school with flu symptoms will be evaluated by our nursing staff and sent home if necessary. Further, any student who is sick with the flu should remain home until at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever, or signs of a fever, without the use of fever-reducing medicines. Flu-like symptoms include: usually fever, muscle aches, fatigue and coughing; they may also include vomiting and diarrhea. For more about H1N1, please visit www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu , www.flu.gov , or www.h1n1inpa.com . To learn more about the precautions our schools are taking, please visit www.cvschools.org/swineflu . REMINDER: Cumberland Valley will host its second community meeting to educate residents about the threat of the H1N1 virus, and about healthy habits and preparations as they pertain to school and community settings. The community meeting will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 22, in the Performing Arts Center at Cumberland Valley High School. The meeting will provide an overview of the H1N1 virus, in addition to steps schools and communities are taking to ensure the health and safety of children. Also of topic will be actions parents can take at home to help reduce the spread of the virus. The community meeting is free of charge and open to the public.
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