Regarding the school vaccinations, Steven R. Katkowsky, M.D., District Director of Health stated, “The swine flu vaccination effort is bigger than any we’ve seen before. In trying to vaccinate as many people as possible, partnering with schools was a logical choice. School children are more likely to become infected with the swine flu and are at higher risk for complications. By vaccinating children in the schools, we can hopefully provide much-needed protection for a serious illness.” Furthermore, Mike Clines, Superintendent of Schools for the Diocese of Covington emphasized that during this time of community need, it seems all school districts, including the Diocese of Covington schools, are glad to assist in keeping our children healthy. Swine flu vaccination is an opportunity for us to make it easy for those families who wish to have their children vaccinated to do so.
Attached to this e-mail are the following documents: consent form, information on the shot and information on the nasal spray.
On behalf of Covington Latin School, I appreciate your cooperation and understanding as we continue to implement efforts at the school and district level that facilitate a healthy learning environment for our school community. Please contact me with any questions regarding our early dismissal procedures.
Sincerely,
Andrew J. Barczak
Headmaster
The letter below was sent to all CLS parents by Mr. Barczak on October 5, 2009.
Dear Parent(s),
I want to inform you that Covington Latin School has its first reported case of swine influenza A (H1N1). The report was made today.
As a school and a community, we have been preparing for this to happen. However, we believe through our efforts to educate the parents about continuing preventative measures at home, in addition to our heightened efforts at school, that as a learning community we will reduce the risk of families, students, and school personnel from getting sick and spreading flu. For privacy reasons, we will not be sharing the name(s) or the grade level of those diagnosed with influenza A.
Rest assured that we will continue to work with the Department of Catholic Schools and the Northern Kentucky Health Department for every H1N1 situation. Your child’s health and the health of our school personnel remain our number one priority as we work through this situation.
We ask that you please monitor your child’s health. If there is any question about whether or not you should send your child to school, you should keep him/her home. We understand that your child does not want to miss school, extracurricular activities, and/or sports; however, in everyone’s best interest, he/she should stay home if sick.
You can find more information at websites such as www.flu.gov and www.nkyhealth.org.
Sincerely,
Andrew J. Barczak
Headmaster
On September 16, 2009, the Diocese of Covington has communicated updated recommendations stating that any student, whose siblings are sick, to remain home as well - since they have likely been infected also. The Center for Disease Control suggests 5 days from the exposure of the flu in order to be clear.
Click here to view CDC recommendations in case of child illness.
If your child finds himself/herself in the situation of missing school, we are happy to help gather homework assignments for them. This can be done via email or by calling the office to have teachers collect assignments for your child. We can also help by gathering certain books from their lockers if needed.
The following letter was sent to the Latin parents on September 4, 2009, addressing measures the School has taken, as well as well preventative measures families must enact, to minimize the risk and/or spread of infection within our community.
Dear Parent(s),
Today I spoke to your child about H1N1, commonly known as the Swine Flu. After the Mini-Schedule Night, several of you responded to my call for collaborating with health professionals to determine procedures/practices to follow here at the school. I am grateful to all of you who did. Since then, the diocese has also put forth information. I want to share with you what I know. The more informed we are, the better we make decisions concerning this issue.
Influenza is a contagious disease. At the present time, with the information known, symptoms of the H1N1 influenza should be treated the same as seasonal influenza.
To prevent widespread influenza in the school, we recommend that your child stay home from school if experiencing flu or cold symptoms. The following guidelines will assist you in determining whether or not to send your child to school. Consider keeping your child at home for an extra day of rest and observation if he or she has any of the following symptoms:
• very stuffy or runny nose and/or a cough
• mild sore throat (no fever, no known exposure to strep)
• headache
• mild stomach ache
People with influenza-like illnesses (ILI) can shed the virus and be contagious for more than 24 hours after fever goes away. Definitely keep your child at home for treatment and observation if he or she has any of these symptoms:
• fever (greater than 100 degrees by mouth; your child should remain at home for at least 24 hours after he or she is free of fever or feverishness without the use of fever-reducing medications)
• vomiting (even once)
• diarrhea
• chills
• general tiredness of feelings of fatigue, discomfort, weakness, or muscle aches
• frequent congested (wet) or croupy, dry cough
• lots of nasal congestion with frequent blowing of nose
• sore throat
• trouble breathing
If your child has any of the above symptoms, you should talk to your health care provider by telephone. Your health care provider will determine whether treatment is needed.
To help prevent the spread of influenza, please continue to reinforce good hygiene habits:
• Wash hands frequently for 20 seconds or the length of the “Happy Birthday” song twice.
• Do not touch eyes, nose, or mouth.
• Regularly clean areas and items likely to have frequent hand contact.
• Cover mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing with paper tissue or use bend of elbow. Discard tissues immediately after each use and then wash hands.
• Do not share eating utensils, drink from the same cup or share toothbrushes
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick
• Use hand sanitizer when soap and water are not accessible (Use ½ teaspoon or nickel-size equivalent. Travel-size hand sanitizer is good for placing in backpacks.)
Additionally, Covington Latin School is taking the following steps:
• Making hand sanitizers available and accessible to students and staff in all classrooms. Upon entering a classroom, students will use the hand sanitizers before being seated.
• Cleaning classroom desks, restrooms, water fountains and high traffic areas with disinfectant.
• Continuing education of staff and students on proper hygiene habits.
• Isolating students who display symptoms. Once isolated, parents will be called to come and take them home. If no one is able to come get them, they will remain isolated until such time as someone can.
• Updating members of the community at large when more information becomes available.
Influenza is most contagious during the first 48 hours. A child should remain home for at least 24 hours after he or she is free of feverishness without the use of fever-reducing medications. Often, when a child awakens with vague complaints (the way colds and flu begin), it is wise to observe your child at home for an hour or two before deciding whether or not he or she should go to school. Your child should be physically able to participate in all school activities on return to school. Keeping a sick child at home will minimize the spread of infections and viruses in the classroom. You should also limit other siblings of all ages from further contact with the child who has the prescribed symptoms. Limiting attendance to other social gatherings (outside of school) also will be helpful in decreasing risk of exposure to the virus. Contact your health provider for advice on your child’s condition.
If your child has the signs and symptoms mentioned previously, please indicate this (flu-like symptoms) to our office staff or leave a message on the recording message for absentees. This information will help all of us maintain a healthy environment during this season.
Should you desire to find out more about this virus, the Health Department has been conducting sessions at various library locations throughout the Northern Kentucky area. You are more than welcome to attend any of these presentations:
* Thursday, September 10, at the Newport branch of the Campbell
County Public Library, 901 E. Sixth St., Newport, Ky.
* Monday, September 14, at the Mary Ann Morgan branch of the
Kenton County Public Library, 502 Scott Blvd., Covington, Ky.
* Tuesday, September 15, at the Grant County Public Library, 201
Barnes Road, Williamstown, Ky.
All presentations are scheduled for 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. and will include a question and answer session. Also, websites for the Northern Kentucky Health Department www.nkyhealth.org and the Center for Disease Control www.flu.gov provide excellent resources for swine flu education.
Any changes in the above information will be sent to you as soon as we know it. Together we can be calmly prepared for this health situation.
Sincerely,
Andrew J. Barczak
Headmaster