South Orangetown Central School District
160 Van Wyck Road • Blauvelt, NY 10913 • (845) 680-1050 • Fax (845) 680-1900

June 8, 2009

Dear Parents,

It is very important that you take a few minutes to open and read the attached documents that are related to the H1N1 flu that has affected our region, including the South Orangetown Central School District. In these documents you will find an updated Q&A fact sheet about this particular strain of flu. You will also find guidance from the Rockland County Department of Health that is helpful to both families and schools.

Please be aware that the district is in regular contact with the Department of Health and has been monitoring and reporting cases of the flu and student absenteeism. While we have had an increase in absenteeism in the middle school with a higher percentage of students with flu-like symptoms or confirmed cases of the flu, the increase is actually less than the percentage of absent students during flu season. Nonetheless, we are closely monitoring the situation and seeking guidance from our health professionals.

There is a lot of information – both factual and misunderstood – that is being circulated throughout the region about the current flu. It is important that we have the facts that have been provided by the health professionals in our region. The district will continue in its efforts to keep the facilities sanitized and to encourage students to follow the preventative hygiene that has been recommended.

The district will also continue to communicate with the County Department of Health and the relay any updated information to the families and faculty of the district. As of this time, there is no recommendation from Rockland County to close schools as this cannot prevent the spread of this disease since it is community wide. Again, please be sure to read the attached the documents for additional information. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Ken Mitchell

Ken Mitchell, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools