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September 16, 2009
As you may know at this point in time we are not allowing the use of hand sanitizer products in our schools. These items or any other chemical, cleaning product, etc are not to be brought in to school per the Hazardous communication act (right to know). We have unfortunately had some bad experiences with these products before the H1N1 concern. We have had children taken from school to receive medical treatment as a result of using these products which were brought into school by staff. Though intentions were good this is the type of situations we are trying to prevent. In the SED recommendations listed on the website link below, it states that we as a district can decide on the use of these hand sanitizer products. At this point in time we not allowing them and are promoting proper hand washing which has the same results (and sometimes better results) than hand sanitizers. If things change in the future we will let everyone know.
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April 27, 2009
In response to reports of recently-diagnosed cases of swine influenza in the New York City area, I would like to pass along useful information to help keep your family healthy. Please know that there are no confirmed cases of swine influenza in our region.
In order to reduce the risk of becoming ill, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the following:
· Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
· Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners also are effective.
· Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
· Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
· Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
· If you get sick, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. The symptoms of swine flu are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue.
· Do not share drinks, utensils, etc. with others.
Swine influenza is passed mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza. People may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose. Influenza viruses are not transmitted by food and one cannot get swine influenza by eating pork products.
Watkins Glen School District currently uses universal cleaning procedures and all precautionary measures recommended by the Schuyler County Public Health Department have been in place.
We are in contact with the county health department and will share any additional information as we receive it.Sincerely,
Thomas J. Phillips
Superintendent of Schools