January 22,  2010

Dear Parent/Guardian:

In partnership with Central Community School District, Genesis VNA and Hospice, Clinton County Public Health will be offering free H1N1 influenza vaccinations at school for students Pre-K through 12th grade.  Vaccination is the best way to protect your child and others against the H1N1 influenza.  The vaccine is recommended for all children 6 months to 19 years old. The H1N1 vaccine comes in two forms: a shot and nasal spray. Your child may receive one of these forms, depending on his or her medical history and/or vaccine availability.

If your child has already received the adequate number of H1N1 vaccination(s) they do not require any more this flu season.  If your child is age 9 years or younger and still needs their second dose of H1N1, this can be received at the school clinic.

Vaccines will be administered at your child's school on Thursday,  January 28, 2010. 

If you would like your student to receive the free H1N1 vaccine at school:

The H1N1 Vaccine Information Statements (VIS) are located electronically on  the Central Community School District's website:

If you are unable to access these forms please contact your child's school office and the information forms can be sent home with your child.   Please take time to read these information sheets; they should answer any questions you may have about the H1N1 vaccine.

Children 9 years old and younger and receiving the H1N1 vaccine for the first time will need a second dose of the H1N1 flu vaccine.  If your child needs a second dose of H1N1 vaccine, VNA will return to the school approximately one month later to administer the second dose.

If your child receives a H1N1 flu vaccine at his/her doctor's office before the school clinic, please be sure to inform the school that your child does not need to be vaccinated at school.

If you have any questions regarding this school flu vaccination program, please contact Chris McClimon or Michele Cullen  at Genesis VNA and Hospice (563-242-7165) or your child's school nurse.  Thank you for helping to make your child's school and your community a healthier place.

Sincerely,

Chris McClimon, RN
Community Health
Genesis VNA and Hospice/Clinton County Public Health

September 22 , 2009

Dear Parents and Guardians of Central students:

In preparation for the upcoming flu season, we want to ensure our parents that we are continuing to focus on the well-being of our students. 

For example, we have increased custodial cleaning of desks and other surfaces in the buildings.  We are also emphasizing proper sneezing, coughing, and hand washing with each of the students.

In addition to our efforts, I have a couple of requests of our parents. 

Number one, I ask that you continue to work with your children on proper sneezing, coughing, and hand washing routines at home.  If our parents and school employees are working together on this, it is much more likely to become a routine task for our students.

My second request is that you consider sending hand sanitizer to school with your children.  We are requesting two bottles of hand sanitizer per child, but we would appreciate whatever amount you are able to contribute.

Also, if you have high school students, additional tissues sent to the high school would be greatly appreciated.

In the event of the flu spreading, the school district will be following recommendations of the local and state public health departments.

Lastly, I ask that you keep your children home if they are ill.  If a fever is present, they should not return until the fever is gone for 24 hours without using fever-reducing medications.  Along with good hand washing, this is the most important measure to take in order to prevent the spread of illness.

I appreciate your time and attention to this matter.

Dan Peterson, Superintendent

Swine Flu: Information for Concerned Parents and Caregivers
April 29, 2009

What is H1N1 (swine flu)?
H1N1 (swine flu) is a type of influenza (flu) virus that causes respiratory disease that can spread between people. Most people infected with this virus in the United States have had mild disease, but some have had more severe illness, and there has been at least one death. Young children, pregnant women, and people with chronic diseases like asthma, diabetes, or heart disease may be at higher risk for complications from this infection. More information about who may be at higher risk will be available when more is known about the disease. There are steps you can take to protect your family and to know when to seek medical care.
What are the symptoms?
In most children, the symptoms of H1N1 (swine flu) are similar to the symptoms of regular flu. They include:

What to do if your child is sick:

If your child comes in contact with someone with H1N1 (swine flu), ask your doctor if he or she should receive antiviral medicines to prevent getting sick from H1N1 (swine flu).
If your child experiences any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care:

For more information call 1-800-CDC INFO, or go to http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu

INFLUENZA

Flu season has arrived. What is influenza? How will I know if I have the flu? How does the flu spread? Who should get a flu shot? Find the answers to these and many more questions by clicking on the Influenza Fact Sheet (pdf file).

SKIN INFECTION

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT MRSA
From Sue Hasenmiller, RN, School Nurse

As most of you are aware, there has been much in the news recently about MRSA (methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus), also being called a "super bug." This is affecting children, and in particular, members of athletic teams.

Faculty (including coaches) in all buildings in the district received information on this shortly after this school year began. They are aware to be looking for and referring any inflamed looking skin lesions to me for evaluation and physician referral if needed. There have also been some changes made in cleaning of sports equipment and weight machines.

MRSA is a type of staph that is resistant to the more common antibiotics like methicillin, penicillin, and amoxicillin. It is usually treatable using other antibiotics.

MRSA is passed from person to person most often by direct skin-to-skin contact. Washing hands with soap and water several times a day is the single best way to combat staph. Cuts and abrasions should be kept covered with a clean, dry bandage. Stress to your children that it is important not to use friends' and teammates' towels, washcloths, uniforms, or razors and to avoid touching other people's wounds or bandages. Drying towels, sheets, and clothing in a hot dryer rather than air drying will help kill bacteria.

Most often, MRSA causes infections on the skin. These infections may look like any one of the following:

Most infections are mild, but MRSA bacteria can get into the bloodstream or lungs and cause severe illness.

Most MRSA infections are treatable with antibiotics. Antibiotics should be taken as directed making sure to take all of the doses, even if the infection is getting better, unless your doctor tell you to stop taking it. Do not share antibiotics with other people or save unfinished antibiotics to use at another time.

Over the past few decades, some bacteria that antibiotics control have developed resistance to these drugs. This resistance occurs when the bacteria change in some way that makes it impossible for these drugs to cure the infection. When this happens, the bacteria survive and continue to multiply causing more harm. Because of resistant bacteria, some infections that used to be easy to treat are now difficult to treat. ( this is what has happened with MRSA). Antibiotic resistance is an increasing public health problem. Be sure to take all your prescribed medication, even if your skin heals. Bacteria you leave alive today can morph into tomorrow's super bugs.

Please click here for additional information on the "Superbug" MSRA (pdf).

If you have any questions, please contact me through your student's school office, or through e-mail at sue.hasenmiller@central-clinton.k12.ia.us.

Sue Hasenmiller, RN, School Nurse