Updated Nov. 18, 2009
Letter from Superintendent Daniel A. Teplesky
October 28, 2009
Dear Parent(s) and/or Guardian(s):
As expected, we are beginning to see cases of influenza-like illness at RCS schools. Please keep in mind that it is not uncommon to experience student absences at this time of year due to influenza-like symptoms.
ILI or "influenza-like illness" is a new term that I would like all staff and parents to understand since we will be seeing and using it a lot in the months ahead.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and state health departments are using the term ILI to cover all types of flu, and to remind people with flu-like symptoms that they should stay home and not spread illness, whether their illness has been diagnosed as a specific type of flu or not.
I would like to reassure you that we at RCS are monitoring the situation, just as all schools have been asked to, in coordination with the local health department.
Our best response is still to follow the recommendations of the CDC on preventing the spread of influenza and other illnesses:
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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).
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Teach your children the proper use of hand sanitizers. 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 sanitizers.
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Teach your children to keep their hands away from their face and avoid touching their mouth, nose, or eyes.
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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!
Also, please follow these guidelines for keeping your child home from school:
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Fever of 100 degrees or higher. Keep your child home until the fever is gone for 24 hours without medication.
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Vomiting or diarrhea. Keep your child home until symptoms are gone for 24 hours.
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Coughing excessively. A constant cough is uncomfortable for your child and it is also disruptive to the class. Your child may need to be evaluated by a medical provider.
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Strep throat. Your child must be treated with antibiotics for 24 hours before returning to school.
Please note that if you send your child to school with any of these symptoms, you’ll be asked to return to the school and take your child back home.
Please remember that sharing accurate information – rather than giving way to panic or rumors – is the best way for us to get through this flu season.
Visit our Web site, www.rcscsd.org, for additional resources, including a handy printout for families titled, "2009 H1N1 and Seasonal Flu: Seasonal and 2009 H1N1 Flu: A Guide for Parents," which contains some good facts and answers to frequently asked questions.
Finally, due to the potential for student absences, I have asked teachers to remain flexible wherever appropriate in terms of assignments and deadlines when students miss school.
Thank you all for your continued partnership in protecting the health and well-being of our school community.
Yours in education,
Daniel A. Teplesky
Superintendent of Schools
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