Villadom Times Weekly Newpaper Online-November 18, 2009 Issue

November 18, 2009 THE VILLADOM TIMES IV • Page 5 Mahwah Township’s school ofﬁcials prepared for Swine Flu by Frank J. McMahon Mahwah school officials are preparing parents for any impact the district may suffer from the Influenza A H1N1, commonly known as Swine Flu. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Influenza A H1N1 is a respiratory disease typically found in pigs that is caused by type A influenza viruses. The CDC advises that, while it is not typical for humans to contract the H1N1 influenza, human infections occasionally do occur. The CDC adds, however, that this H1N1 strain is contagious and can spread from human to human. In a letter to parents, Superintendent Charles Montesano addressed the concerns related to student absences and continuity of instruction during those absences. Montesano explained that the school district has aligned its plans with the recommendations of the New Jersey Department of Education, the CDC, the Mahwah Board of Health, and School Physician Dr. Everett Schlam regarding the H1N1 flu and its potential impact on schools. “We continue to emphasize daily cleaning at our schools, particularly on shared surfaces,” Montesano wrote to the parents. “We also urge you to review with your children the steps they can take to avoid the flu. These include washing or sanitizing hands frequently; avoiding the touching of the face, nose, and eyes; covering coughs and sneezes with tissues, and disposing of (those tissues) properly; and, if a tissue is not available, coughing into the sleeve or elbow.” For students exhibiting flu-like symptoms including fever, coughing, nausea and/or vomiting, aches and pains, and fatigue, Montesano explained that the following health office protocols will be implemented: The student will be directed to the school’s health office for assessment by the school nurse, who will evaluate the student’s symptoms and will enact certain steps if the symptoms be consistent with those of the H1N1 flu. Those steps will include isolating the child from healthy students and requiring the individual to wear a paper surgical mask and calling the parent or guardian to come immediately to school to take the student home. The student will be required to remain at home for a minimum of 24 hours after the fever and symptoms subside and, upon his or her return to school, the student must report to the school nurse for a follow-up visit. Montesano emphasized that, if a student returns to school before the end of the 24 hour symptom-free period, the school nurse will again require the parent to take the child home immediately. He also emphasized that it is very important for parents to have all of their contact information updated at all times, including an alternate contact, in case they might have difficulty coming immediately to the school to pick up their child. According to Montesano, the department of education is strongly suggesting that schools remain open, but, in the event that they must be closed, he advised that a plan has been established to maintain continuity of instruction for all students. That plan includes emergency lesson plans that have been developed specific to grade levels and subjects. If parents are notified of a closing through the school district’s One Call Now notification system, which advises parents of school closings, delayed openings, early dismissals, or important notices, the lesson plans will be posted on each child’s school’s website for the parents to access. Students who receive special services may receive more specific lessons directly from their instructors depending on their IEP needs. That packet will be sent home with the child. For families without Internet access, or if a child with special needs should already be absent and does not receive a packet to bring home, copies of the lesson plans will be made available at town hall (continued on page 23) �� Hair Care � ��