Flu Prevention

Dear Parents/Guardians,

As the flu season is quickly approaching we at Bloomfield School want you to know that we are working diligently to ensure the health of our staff and students. We are monitoring the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and Flu.Gov websites daily. We are also staying in contact in contact with the Stoddard County Public Health Center among other resources in our community. Knowledge is power.

Here are a few things we are doing in our school system:

*Pandemic Flu Policy created
*Stoddard County Health Center Asst. Director educated our staff on the flu and flu prevention
*Collaborating with the local Health Department and established points of contact
*Communication with parents through school blogs pages, letters home etc.
*In the process of installing hand sanitizer pumps throughout the hallways in each building along with the cafeteria and gym
*We are teaching our student flu prevention habits such as:
-washing our hands
-avoid touching your nose/mouth (if using a kleenex, dispose of it immediately)
-coughing or sneezing into the crook of your arm
*Keeping our bathrooms stocked with soap and paper towels
*Keeping alcohol based sanitizers in each room when soap is not available
*Regularly cleaning and disinfecting bathrooms, cafeterias, doorknobs, keyboards etc.

Here are a few things you can do at home:

*Don't Panic
*Be sure your phone/work numbers are current
*Reinforce flu prevention habits at home such as those listed above
*If your child is displaying flu like symptoms, keep them home for at least 24 hours after there is no longer a fever without the use of fever reducing medicines. This assists in keeping their viruses to themselves rather than sharing with others.
*Consider vaccinations for your family

Thank you for helping us keep your children healthy. We will continue to monitor and keep you informed as the year goes on. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at: vwilliams@bps14.org or call 568-4562.

Sincerely,

Vicki Williams, RN
Bloomfield R-14 School Nurse