The Advent and the H1N1 Virus
Head of School Nancy Harris Frohlich discusses The Advent’s policies on this potential public health crisis
August 31, 2009
Dear Advent families,
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) predicts that H1N1 (also called Novel Swine Influenza A) will spread dramatically in the fall. With the recommendations of the CDC and U.S Department of Education, we have a plan in place, should a significant flu outbreak occur. Our plan includes immediate measures for dealing with illness, and contingency plans so that we can continue to provide education if the School needs to close due to the flu.
Our first step is to educate children, parents, and school employees about the importance of flu prevention by following the recommendations of the CDC and Mary Lou Kelleher, The Advent School consulting nurse.
- Practice good hand hygiene by washing hands often with soap and water or hand sanitizers, especially after coughing or sneezing, before eating, when returning from public places, and after using the bathroom.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Dispose of tissues in a trash container immediately after use; do not leave them on a surface to dispose of later. If you do not have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow or shoulder, not into your hands.
- Keep children home from school if they are sick, for at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever or signs of a fever (without the use of fever-reducing medicine). Keeping sick students at home means that their viruses are less likely to spread to others. Please begin planning now for back up childcare and/or consider discussions with your employer so you will be able to meet your work obligations, should be home with your ill child.
- Check your child each morning for symptoms of illness, and keep your child home if s/he has a temperature of 100 degrees, or other symptoms such as a sore throat, cough and congestion, upset stomach, etc.
- Notify the School about your child’s symptoms, whether s/he has been seen by a pediatrician, and what the diagnosis is.
- When vaccines become available, give serious consideration to vaccinating your family for seasonal flu and 2009 H1N1 flu.
A school environment can be a breeding ground for illness as children learn and play in close physical proximity. We appreciate your understanding of the following good health practices for children: well balanced meals with protein and vitamin C, a minimum of eight to ten hours of sleep a night, appropriate dress for the inclement weather, and good hygiene.
In the event of extended staff or student absences or school closure, The Advent School faculty and staff will partner closely with families to make sure students continue their work. Through instructional emails or phone calls, homework packets, and other appropriate means, teachers will stay in touch. Should a number of children in a class become ill, they will post assignments, notes, and information on The Advent School website, and faculty will communicate via e-mail to answer questions regarding class or small group assignments. In addition, should a teacher need an extended sick leave, s/he will be in constant professional communication with our substitute.
We will contact parents with any additional information if circumstances change. Please note that more information is available through the following link: http://WWW.FLU.GOV/PLAN/SCHOOL/SCHOOLGUIDANCE.HTML (Click on the Family Planning tab, as this is an excellent tool for parents).
If you have any questions about H1N1 Flu or other general health care problems, please feel free to contact Mary Lou Kelleher RN, MS at (617-724-5720) or at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). Parents may also feel free to call me with any questions.
Sincerely,
Nancy Harris Frohlich
Head of School
“What is absolutely unique [about the Advent School] is the judgment, creativity, and developmental attention with which its rich multi-cultural program has been constructed. If any school will underscore and illuminate the opportunity and challenge with which multi-cultural education can be considered, this fine, small, humane scholarly little school can do it for us all.”
— citation from the U.S. Department of Education
- Advent Art Sampler
