|
Dear Mustang Parents, Thank you for keeping me informed about the type of illness and about the condition of your child when they are sick. You have been great about following the “keep your child home when they are sick” guidelines from the State. 1st: The thermometers that are attached are the result of our BV County H1N1 meetings that we hold weekly. It is at these meetings where we take information and guidance from the State and plan for the H1N1 season and events. Please read the insert included in the bag about how to use them. ??When can I send my child back to school?? Remember, it is necessary to stay home for 24 hours, fever free, without the use of fever reducing medicine. 2nd: I’m sure you are all aware that illness has hit Newell-Fonda this week. For the first time of the season, we exceeded the 10% absentee rate in 2 of our 3 areas (PS-3 and Fonda building). Luckily, the high school kids have remained very healthy!! They have Iowa Basic Skills Testing next week so let’s keep our fingers crossed that they stay that way!! ??Why don’t the schools close when there are so many kids sick?? The State gives us guidelines to use in conjunction with our own school’s “Pandemic Flu Plan” which has been in place for 2 years. We were hoping that we would never have to use it, but we did this week. Basically, the thought is, that as long as you still have staff, it is better to keep the kids in school. Often, as shown by last year’s school closings around the country, parents are more strained to get daycare for their healthy kids, kids are often out and about instead of staying home, and increases in illnesses continue to occur. 3rd: Unfortunately, even after you’ve had H1N1, one can get it again. As with other illnesses, good hand hygiene, covering our cough, and staying home when we are sick are the best weapons we have in fighting this illness. ??When is the H1N1 vaccination clinic going to be held at Newell-Fonda?? Like most everything this season, this changes daily as well. At one time, we had made tentative plans to hold our clinic earlier this month but, due to decreased speed of the vaccine getting to the counties, along with the fact that there is less coming to the counties than expected, the plan has changed. I will send home H1N1 Vaccination Packets with your child when the county can see that we have enough vaccine to start the school based clinics. Remember, it is your choice as a parent, whether or not he/she receives the H1N1 vaccination. The vaccine is NOT required. Non-school aged vaccination clinics are being held around the area as counties receive the vaccine. Please note the following information regarding area clinics. Please feel free to call your Pubic Health Departments to find out any other information regarding these and other clinics. POCAHONTAS COUNTY H1N1 CLINIC TO BE HELD AT FONDA CITY HALL, ON NOV. 2 HAS BEEN CANCELLED! (due to lack of vaccine) BV COUNTY H1N1 CLINIC IS STILL SCHEDULED WHO: For children 6 months through 23 months old & caregivers of children younger than 6 months. WHERE: B.V. County Public Health 1709 Richland St. Storm Lake, Iowa DATE: MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2ND, 2009 TIME: 3pm – 7pm No charge. Available while supplies last. If you have questions you may call 749-2548 I hope I have answered some of the questions that you may be having. I know that all this information can be confusing and frustrating. I am trying very hard to keep you informed of issues as we go through this season. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to call me. Newell 712-272-3324 Fonda 712-288-4445 Home 712-273-5332 Stacey Tiefenthaler RN, BSN Newell-Fonda School Nurse
|
