H1N1 flu virus precautionary strategies

21 September 2009

Re: H1N1 flu prevention

Dear parents and guardians:

Welcome to a new year of learning! We are excited to be part of your child’s story, and want to make sure everyone stays healthy.

We are taking steps to stop the spread of germs like the H1N1 flu. (Some people call it the swine flu.) READ has taken the following precautions to keep germs out of our teaching rooms and office.

We will:

• Have hand sanitizer available
• Put up posters about the best ways to stop spreading germs
• Stay home if we are sick

We need parents and guardians to help us. You can:

• Update your child’s medical and emergency contact information. This MUST be done before they can start attending READ
• Keep your child home when they are sick
• Be aware of media updates about vaccines and illness
• Let us know if your child becomes sick with the H1N1 virus

Symptoms of the H1N1 flu are similar to the regular flu. They include fever, cough, headache, general aches and fatigue. Some people with the H1N1 flu also have runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

If a READ teacher is sick we will:

• Try to find a substitute teacher
• If we can’t, we will cancel class
• If we cancel classes, we will have a make-up class outside of regular classes
• Give a refund only if we cannot offer a make-up class

If your child becomes ill during a session, we will:

• Call the emergency numbers provided
• Provide comfort and a quiet place to rest until you arrive

Please remember our registration policy states that we need 24-hours notice in order for you to receive a credit for a missed class. If the cancellation is due to sudden illness, call us immediately and the executive director will consider the situation on a case-by-case basis.

If the public schools close because of wide-spread illness, READ will still offer classes. Bring your child to their regular session, unless they are ill.

Please talk to your child’s READ teacher if you have any questions or concerns. You can find out more about the H1N1 flu from the Vancouver Island Health Authority. Their website is www.viha.ca/mho/public_health_alerts. We also have information on H1N1 available in our offices. If your child is ill, you can call Health Link BC at 8-1-1 to speak to a nurse anytime of the day or night.

Thank you for helping us keep everyone healthy!

Sincerely,

Claire Rettie,
Executive Director