January 2013 Seasonal Flu Prevention Update: With the seriousness of the current flu season, it is important to remind staff, students and families about proper precautions to stay healthy. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that everyone aged six months and older receive an annual seasonal flu vaccination. According to the an analysis by the National Center for Health Statistics, approximately 38 million school days are lost each year due to seasonal flu. A separate study showed an association between children being sick and parents missing work to care for them. We strongly support the CDC's recommendation and urge parents to take their children to their health care providers, local health department clinic, or local pharmacy for a seasonal flu vaccination. Please remember that stopping the flu starts with you. A flu vaccination is the best and most effective way to protect students, school staff, and parents.
Heat Stress Guidelines
Whooping Cough Information
Diabetes Brochure
Diabetes Brochure - Spanish
H1N1 Flu Prevention:
Moorpark Unfied School District health policies are aligned with state, federal and Ventura County Health Department advisories. Recommended school responses:
Stay home when sick: Those with flu-like illness should stay home for at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever, or signs of a fever, without the use of fever-reducing medicines. They should stay home even if they are using antiviral drugs.
Separate ill students and staff: Students and staff who appear to have flu-like illness should be sent to a room separate from others until they can be sent home. CDC recommends that they wear a surgicial mask, if possible, and that those who care for ill students and staff wear protective gear such as a mask.
Hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette: The new recommendations emphasize the importance of the basic foundations of influenza prevention: stay home when sick, was hands frequently with soap and water when possible, and cover noses and mouths with a tissue when coughing or sneezing (or a shirt sleeve or elbow if no tissue is available).
Routine cleaning: School staff should routinely clean areas that students and staff touch often with the cleaners they typically use. Special cleaning with bleach and other non-detergent-based cleaners is not necessary.
Early treatment of high-risk students and staff: People at high risk for influenza complications who become ill with influenza-like illness should speak with their health care provider as soon as possible. Early treatment with anitviral medications is very important for people at high risk because it can prevent hospitalizations and deaths. People at high risk include those who are pregnant, have asthma or diabetes, have compromised immune systems, or have neuromuscular diseases.
Consideration of selective school dismissal: Although there are not many schools where all or most students are at high risk (for example, schools for medically fragile children or for pregnant students) a community might decide to dismiss such a school to better protect these high-risk students.
Note: All classrooms in the Moorpark Unified School District have Hand Clens foam hand sanitizer. Everyone is instructed to use it at least three times a day.
Websites for additional information or resources regarding the swine flu:
Center for Disease Control
Ventura County Public Health
"Preventing the Flu" Fact Sheet
Information about stopping the spread of germs
Let's Fight the Flu Together - PTA website
Dental Health Information: New Dental Exam Requirements and Assessment/Waiver Form
New Snack Guidelines
New MRSA Parent's Guide
FORMS:
Authorization for Any Medication Taken During School Hours
Readmission to School of Student with Temporary Disability or Injury