People with:

• Lung conditions (including asthma)

• Heart conditions (except hypertension)

• Chronic kidney and liver disease

• Blood disorders (including sickle cell disease)

• Neurological disorders (including intellectual and developmental disability, cerebral palsy, spinal cord injuries, seizure disorders or other
  neuromuscular disorders)

• Metabolic disorders (such as diabetes mellitus)

• Immunosuppression (including those who have immune systems that are weakened by medications or HIV/AIDS)

In order to help reduce or prevent the spreading of the flu, we ask that students and staff stay home when ill.  The Rockland County Department of Health is recommending that students and staff stay home for 7 days after flu-like symptoms begin or until the person is symptom free for 24 hours, whichever is longer.  In addition the Health Department recommends practicing good hygiene such as frequently washing your hands with soap and water.

We will continue to provide updates and ask that parents continue to check our website and to thoroughly read the documentation on the district website.

Sincerely,

Ken Mitchell, Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools

The following three documents were received by the district on Friday, June 5 and posted to the web Monday, June 8.

County of Rockland Department of Health
Questions and Answers related to the H1N1 Flu - Revised June 2009

County of Rockland Department of Health
NEWS RELEASE - New release 6.5.09

County of Rockland Department of Health
NEWS RELEASE - New release 6.4.09

Letter sent to community June 8, 2009

Update on School (K – 12) and Childcare Facilities:
Interim CDC Guidance in Response to Human Infections with the Novel Influenza A (H1N1) Virus - posted May 6, 2009

posted May 26, 2009

Dear Parents,

Our school district and the Rockland County Department of Health are working together to monitor H1N1 flu (formerly called Swine flu) in our county. So far, the cases have been mild and all those affected are recovering. Thus far, South Orangetown has not had any cases. However, in our continuing efforts to be preventative, we offer the following:

There are everyday actions you and your family can take to protect yourself and others from the flu:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze; then throw the tissue away.
   

• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze and
   

• Stay home if you are sick and limit contact with others.

Working together we can keep our children and schools healthy.

Sincerely,


Ken Mitchell, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools

posted April 28, 2009

Dear Parents & Guardians:

This letter is to inform you that the State of New York has entered a heightened surveillance stage resulting from the presence of a swine flu virus that is making people sick in several states, including New York State. Although, to date, only mild illness has occurred in the United States, we realize that many people are worried, and we hope this letter will help address your concerns. Parents are asked, however, to prepare for possible closures if the new virus continues to spread. School and local health officials are working together to monitor the situation and parents will be updated with any important information.

At this time, the state and local health departments have advised us that students can continue to come to school, as long as they are not sick and do not think they have flu symptoms. Flu-like symptoms include: fever (over 100 degrees F.), feverishness, cough, sore throat, runny nose, or stuffy nose. Additional symptoms may be experienced with swine flu, including muscle pain, fatigue, and sometimes vomiting or diarrhea.

Flu spreads easily. If you suspect your child is getting the flu, it is important that he/she does not attend school or go anywhere else - such as group childcare, the mall, or sporting events - where other people would be exposed to flu germs. It is also important to teach your children how to reduce their risk of getting the flu and protect others from infection.

• Teach your children to wash their hands often. 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).
   

• Teach your children the proper use of hand sanitizer. Gels, rubs, and hand wipes all work well, as long as they contain at least 60% alcohol. Hand wipes must be disposed of properly. Always read and follow label instructions when using hand sanitizer.
   

• Teach your children to keep their hands away from their face and avoid touching their mouth, nose, or eyes.
   

• Teach your children to cover coughs and sneezes with tissues or by coughing into the inside of their elbow. Cough or sneeze into your sleeve—not your hands!
   

• 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 swine flu in our school at this time. We are taking the following precautionary steps:

• Nurses in each of the buildings are monitoring and reporting absences that might be characterized by illnesses with flu-like symptoms.
   

• The district has redoubled its' efforts to disinfect all buildings through the cleaning of sinks, doorknobs, tabletops and all common areas.
   

• All buses used by the District have been disinfected by the individual bus contractors.
   

• We will continue to implement any steps necessary to maintain the safety of our students and staff until we have been advised the situation no longer exists.

While the current situation does not warrant school closure, if swine flu continues to spread and more students become ill, it may become necessary to close schools for a period of time. We are working with Rockland County BOCES and County Health officials to monitor the situation here and will make all decisions in consultation with them and state officials. We will inform parents immediately if the situation changes and it becomes necessary to close schools.

If schools are closed, please do not make arrangements—such as sending children to a friend’s home or group childcare—that will put them in close contact with other children. It is important to plan ahead. Have a family discussion now to consider options in advance of the event of a school closing.

Please stay informed by paying attention to media reports. You may also get information at www.cdc.gov , www.nyhealth.gov, www.schoolhealthservicesny.com, or the 24 hour toll-free hotline that New Yorkers across the State can use to get answers to their questions. The hotline is 1-800-808-1987. See our website www.socsd.org for updates.

Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our children and our schools healthy.

Sincerely,


Ken Mitchell, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
 

posted April 27, 2009