Friday, November 20, 2009
Welcome To South Pasadena Unified School District!..............Next School Board Meeting is December 8th at 6:30 p.m. in the Board Room at the District Office........Access Electronic Agendas from the menu above: Administration-Board of Education-Agendas
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News and Announcements

UPDATE on H1N1 FLU - Additional documents to read, as of October 5, 2009

Please read the following info and attached letter from our Interim Superintendent regarding the H1N1 flu. At the end of this letter, there are new files to download and read from the LA County Department of Public Health.

As we enter a new school year, the potential threat of spreading H1N1 increases. If each of us remains vigilant and takes common sense steps to prevent the spread of flu, then all of us will stay healthy and kids will stay in school ready to learn. It is important that all school staff, parents, and students become familiar with the updated guidance on flu prevention released today by the U.S. Department of Education and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention."

• Students and staff should stay home when sick: Those with flu-like illness should stay home for at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever, or signs of a fever, without the use of fever-reducing medicines. They should stay home even if they are using antiviral drugs. (For more information, visit [ http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance/exclusion.htm ]CDC H1N1 Flu | CDC Recommendations for the Amount of Time Persons with Influenza-Like Illness Should be Away from Others [http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance/exclusion.htm]
• Separate ill students and staff: Students and staff who appear to have flu-like illness should be sent to a room separate from others until they can be sent home. The guidelines recommend that they wear a surgical mask, if possible, and that those who care for ill students and staff wear protective gear such as a mask.
• Enforce hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette: Wash hands frequently with soap and water when possible, and always cover noses and mouths with a tissue when coughing or sneezing (or a shirt sleeve or elbow if no tissue is available).
• Maintain routine cleaning: School staff should routinely clean areas that students and staff touch often with the cleaners they typically use. Special cleaning with bleach and other non-detergent-based cleaners is not necessary.
• Seek early treatment of high-risk students and staff: People at high risk for influenza complications who become ill with influenza-like illness should speak with their health care provider as soon as possible. Early treatment with antiviral medications is very important for people at high risk because it can prevent hospitalizations and deaths. People at high risk include those who are pregnant, have asthma or diabetes, have compromised immune systems, or have neuromuscular diseases.
• Consider selective school dismissal: Although there are not many schools where all or most students are at high risk (for example, schools for medically fragile children or for pregnant students) a community might decide to dismiss such a school to better protect these high-risk students.


Additional information about H1N1 can be accessed through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at http://www.cdc.gov/ and the United States Government at http://www.flu.gov/.




THE ABCDE'S of H1N1 (Swine Flu)

The ABCDE's of H1N1 (Swine Flu) As per the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health

Avoid face contact with your hands.

Be sure to wash your hands frequently.

Cover your cough with your arm.

Don't go to school when you are ill.  Be fever free for 24 hours before returning to school.

Ensure you are vaccinated.