Pine-Richland School District

…..Providing a Customized Learning Environment

May 5, 2009

Dear Parents/Guardians:

While there are no confirmed cases of Influenza A (H1N1) or, as it is commonly referred to in media outlets, the “swine flu” in Allegheny County, Pine-Richland School District is closely monitoring the situation.

PRSD continues to meet regularly with its Safety/Emergency Preparedness committees and is working with the appropriate agencies to monitor illnesses that have prompted the US to declare a public health emergency across North America and countries around the world.

Administrators will continue to meet regularly to address this topic. In addition, the district continually takes preventative measures such as:

• Cleaning school facilities on a daily basis
• Disinfecting all athletic dressing rooms & shower areas
• Providing hand dispensers in all buildings
  

H1N1 symptoms are expected to be similar to the symptoms of regular seasonal influenza and include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. Some people with H1N1 also reported having a runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea.

Health care professionals recommend that you:

• Keep your child home from school if he/she is sick, and contact your physician and school office, if the child exhibits flu-like symptoms.
• Instruct children to cover their mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick and keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick, too.
• Wash hands frequently with soap and water or clean with alcohol-based hand cleaner.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose or mouth.

More information about H1N1 and tips for talking to your children about H1N1 can be found on the district’s Emergency Preparedness Site at: http://www.pinerichland.org/preparedness/index.htm by clicking on the parent information tab or the CDC Website at: http://www.cdc.gov/SwineFlu/.

PRSD continues to be proactive in assisting families with any health-related situations. To keep you informed, the district will utilize the following communication outlets, when warranted:

• Friday Flash/Ram Express
• PRSD Website
• PR-TV
• Rapid Notification System
  

Thank you for your support and cooperation in this matter.

Sincerely,
Dr. James C. Manley
PRSD Superintendent