Below is a message from our Superintendent Marc Bertrando regarding health in our school district!

Good Morning!

Our school community is beginning to experience the effects of what experts are calling the worst flu season in several years. Although not at an alarming level, our absences are increasing and most are related to flu symptoms. School health advocates are urging districts to take an active role in preventing and responding to this growing issue. We, consequently, are asking our community to do the following:

• Practice proper hand washing to stop the spread of germs.
• Remind your children to cover their mouths when they cough.
• Keep children home for 24 hours after they stop showing signs of a fever without the use of medicine.
• Encourage your children to see the nurse if they do not feel well. Especially with our older students, sometimes their desire not to miss class or “handle things” themselves makes them reluctant to see the school nurse.
• Forget about things like perfect attendance awards–the health of your child and the other children is more important.
• Have your children get the flu shot. CDC officials continue to recommend flu vaccinations, even for people who’ve already been sick.

We appreciate your support as we battle through this difficult situation. Be assured that the district is also taking precautions.  Our Facilities and Operations Department continues to sanitize desks and “touch” areas nightly. Our teachers and nurses, whose roles are ever expanding, are also reinforcing things like washing hands, covering mouths during coughs, and monitoring students who don’t look well. Even with these proactive measures, it is difficult to stay ahead of the germs. Let’s hope we continue to avoid the major outbreaks occurring in other parts of the country.

As always, thank you for your support and cooperation!

– Marc Bertrando, Superintendent