From the Office of the Superintendent

Information for parents and students regarding H1N1 virus:
As many of you are aware from the media, the H1N1 influenza virus is spreading. At this time, there are no blood confirmed cases in the Sycamore School District. There are, of course, students who have other viral symptoms such as influenza A, upper respiratory infections, sore throats (including strep), etc. If there is a blood confirmed case of H1N1 within the Sycamore School District, we will notify you immediately through a posting on the district website.

There are 3 C’s to remember:

1. CLEAN – Wash your hands frequently to prevent the spread of germs.
2. COVER – Cover your cough and sneeze with a tissue or sleeve, not your hand.
3. CONTAIN – Contain your germs. STAY HOME if you are sick.

Please do not send your student back to school until they have been fever free, without fever reducing medication, for 24-48 hours and are not showing significant symptoms.

When calling in an illness for your child, please let the attendance office or recorder know if he or she has a fever with cough and/or sore throat.

The following website provides updated information that you may want to access:


www.dekalbcountyhealthdepartment.org

Frequently Asked Questions:
As you are aw are, the H1N1 virus continues to be a major story in our local and national media. In an effort to keep you up to date on plans, policies, and procedures in the Sycamore School District, included below is some valuable information in a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) format:

1. Who is most at risk of complications from the H1N1 Virus?
The Centers for Disease Control have identified the follow ing five groups as at risk:

• Pregnant women
• Persons who live with or provide care for infants < 6 months
• Health care and emergency medical services personnel
• Children and young adults aged 6 months to 24 years
• Persons aged 25-64 years who have medical conditions that put them at a higher risk for flu related complications.

2. What is a confirmed case of H1N1?
It is our understanding that blood tests for confirmation purposes are only ordered when a patient is hospitalized in very serious condition. Currently, the Sycamore School District has not received any notification of blood confirmed cases of H1N1. In that occurrence, notification will be posted on
the district website.

3. What is the duration of the H1N1 virus?
Health Department officials have indicated that a typical case of this type of flu runs for a period of 3 to 7 days and w ill probably cause a student to miss 3 to 4 days of school.

4. Are any vaccination clinics being scheduled in DeKalb County?
Yes, all DeKalb County schools, including Sycamore, will be participating with the DeKalb County Health Department to provide vaccination clinics for all students in our County.

5. Who will be served by the vaccination clinics?
As of this date, the initial vaccination clinics will be offered to school children attending the various school districts across the County. It is our understanding that preschool aged siblings will also be offered the vaccine.

6. How will we know when and where the vaccination clinics will be
available?
All school districts in DeKalb County will participate with the health department. For example, facilities within the Sycamore School District will be made available to serve our students. There will be two separate dates set up approximately one month apart. As soon as the Health Department notifies us that they have a sufficient supply of vaccine, we will notify our families through our website, elementary folders, the district communicator e-mail service, and our new school messenger telephone service. Please be aware that we may have as little as three days notice of the specific dates and will communicate the information to you as soon as possible.

7. Will there be a cost to families for the vaccination?
No, the vaccination will be provided at no charge.

8. When and if would school be cancelled?
Classes would only be cancelled if a health emergency exists in a building or the school district as a whole. Current law provides us the flexibility to close an individual school, but not the district as a whole, if a health emergency exists in a specific building. The district has developed a plan for these types of occurrences.

9. What can families do?
Families can help by practicing the 3C’s; Clean, Cover, and Contain, and by exercising good hand washing and hygiene habits. Also, parents should keep sick children home from school and, as a general rule, not send students back to school until 24 to 48 hours after a fever has broken.

Also, please download the flyer below regarding H1N1 from the DeKalb County Health Department:
click to download pdf

10. What about others not addressed with the school clinics?
It is our understanding that there will be future public vaccination clinics available for those not covered in the school clinics discussed above.

11. How can I stay informed?
You may stay informed by monitoring the district website. Updates will also be provided through the District Communicator, and the new School Messenger phone service to parents. Please be
aware that our new School Messenger phone service is based on information and phone numbers
provided to the school district during registration. If there has been a change in phone numbers, please contact your local school to inform them of the new information. Wrong numbers, etc. will most likely result in families not receiving important updates throughout the year.