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District monitoring flu situation

During the coming school year, more people than usual in our schools and communities are likely to be getting sick with the flu (influenza). In addition to the regular "seasonal" influenza that comes around every fall, we are still seeing cases of the novel H1N1 influenza ("swine flu") that first appeared last spring.

The North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale School District is monitoring the flu situation and is staying in contact with the Minnesota Department of Health as well as local health officials.

The Minnesota Department of Health is requiring school districts to report to the state when the number of students absent with flu-like symptoms reaches 5 percent of the student population. As of Oct. 12, 10 schools in the North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale School District met that reporting threshold. Those schools are: Skyview Elementary and Middle, Eagle Point Elementary, Webster Elementary, Weaver Elementary, Richardson Elementary, Castle Elementary, Maplewood Middle, Tartan High School, and the Next Step Transition Program.

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MDH Guidelines for how long to keep your child at home (Updated Sept. 23, 2009)

Flu Update & Health Information As you may be aware, a new wave of the H1N1 novel influenza (swine flu) outbreak has occurred. The North St. Paul-Maplewood Oakdale School District is prepared for the return of the H1N1 virus, and is working in partnership with local public health, and Minnesota Department of Health officials to help our students and staff remain as healthy as possible. This webpage will be updated when new information becomes available.

District Plans for Flu Outbreak

Common sense in current practices will continue, including an emphasis on hand-washing, covering coughs and sneezes, and the use of hand sanitizer. Other steps the District is taking, include: urging parents to update their contact information; and developing contingency plans – staffing, instruction, school events – for severe flu outbreak. District 622 Pandemic Flu Preparedness Plan - Working Draft PLEASE NOTE: The decision to dismiss students in the event of a large-scale flu outbreak will be made by District 622 school officials in consultation with the Minnesota Department of Health and local public health officials. Our aim is to balance the goal of reducing the number of people who become seriously ill from the influenza with the goal of minimizing the educational and academic disruption and safety risks to children.

Action Steps for Parents to Protect Their Family from the Flu

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends four primary steps you and your family should take to keep from getting sick with the flu at school and at home: Practice good hand hygiene by washing hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow – not into your hands. Stay home if you or your child is sick. The Minnesota Department of Health has released new guidelines for how long you should keep your child at home. Keeping sick students at home means they keep their viruses to themselves rather than spreading them to others. Get your family vaccinated for seasonal flu and 2009 H1N1 flu when vaccines are available.

Related Links:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention www.flu.gov Minnesota Department of Health www.health.state.mn.us Minnesota Department of Education www.education.state.mn.us District 622 Health Services

Helpful Tips/Information:

Many of these publications are in PDF format, which requires the free Adobe Acrobat Reader to be installed on your computer. Cover Your Cough Information (English) Cover Your Cough Information (Spanish) Germ Stopper Information Minnesota FluLine to offer support and treatment options for people with possible symptoms of influenza Minnesotans with flu symptoms can call toll-free line at 1-866-259-4655 Do I have the flu? Flu vs. Cold