H1N1 Flu 2009- Also known as the Swine Flu-
The H1N1 flu is a respiratory disease caused by a type of influenza virus. This new strain of flu virus is being carefully tracted by the CDC and the New York State Health Department. Each day I compile data and report to the Herkimer County Health Department. The information includes number of students and staff absent and for what types of reasons.
Our students have been affected with flu-like symptoms. We had 1 confirmed case of Influenza A in the middle of October.
Let's learn how to stay healthy. Prevention is the key!!! You can protect yourself and your child by:
1. Washing your hands often with soap and warm water or use an alchol-based hand sanitizer.
2. Avoid holding, hugging, kissing or shaking hands with anyone who has a cold or the flu.
3. Avoid touching your nose, mouth or eyes.
4. Clean things that are touched often like door handles, telephones, faucets, remotes, etc.
5. If you get sick with a flu-like illness stay home from work or school so that you do not infect others. If you are sick with a fever- please stay home until you are fever - free for at least 24 hours without fever reducing medications like Tylenol or Ibuprofen.
6. Avoid contact with orthers so that the virus does not spread.
HEAD LICE CHECKS-
Head checks will be done on a regular basis at the beginning of the school year, after Christmas
vacation and the April break. If you discover that your child has head lice/nits please treat
your child's head and environment and notify the school nurse. Head checks will be done
at other times during the year when necessary. If the nurse checks your child's head &
suspects head lice, brothers and sisters will also be checked and you will be notified that
your child/children must be picked up from school. After your child's head is treated, a parent
or guardian must bring the child to school for the nurse to recheck for signs of head lice- he
or she will not be allowed to ride the bus to school until cleared by the nurse.
NEW YORK STATE MANDATED HEALTH SCREENING SCHEDULE-
Scoliosis- Grades 5 - 9
Vision (distance acuity)- Grades K, 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 & 10
Hearing- Grades K, 1, 3, 5 & 7
Physicals- Grades K, 2, 4, 7 & 10
New entrants- Physical, Vision- distance, near acuity, hyperopia, color
perception & hearing.
If your child does not pass any of the screenings, a letter will be sent home recommending
further evaluation. Please send the sheet that the Doctor or health care provider filled out
back to the nurse's office which will be placed in your child's health file. If at any time you
would like me to screen your child for any of the above, please contact me.
IMMUNIZATION CLINICS-
The Herkimer County Public Health Prevention Unit holds immunization clinics throughout the
county each month. Immunizations are free. Please be sure to take your child's immunization
record to the clinic. Call their office at 867-1176 if you have any questions.
Once your child has had an immununization, please send proof to the nurse's office so that we
can update your child's immunization record.