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Dear Parents/Guardians:

A strong partnership between school and home is essential for our students’ well-being. This is especially true as we face the possibility that cases of H1N1 influenza, commonly referred to as swine flu, may increase significantly this flu season.

State and local health officials tell us that H1N1 is generally mild, with most people recovering in 3-5 days. Severe or serious side effects are possible for both children and adults who have preexisting health issues, and concerns should be shared with you physician.

To help reduce the spread of H1N1, it is important that everyone know its symptoms and stay home when they occur. If ill, both children and adults should stay home from school, daycare, work, etc, for at least 24 hours after the fever is gone (without the use of a fever-reducing medicine).

The key H1N1 symptoms to watch for are:

• Fever: 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher
• Cough
• Runny nose
• Sore throat
• Muscle pain
• Fatigue
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea

The best ways to prevent the spread of flu are frequent hand washing and covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze with a tissue of in the crook of your elbow. These practices are being shared by our school nurses and stressed in the classrooms, and should be shared at home as well.

Please note that the district, along with others in the county and state, will not automatically close school in the instance of a few cases of students and staff members with flu-like symptoms. However, if there is not enough staff available for our schools to run efficiently, then we may need to close. The district will work closely with state and local health agencies to ensure that decisions are made in the best interest of our students and staff.

In addition, the district will not be in a position to notify parents every time a student shows symptoms of a flu-like illness. The district will closely monitor incidences of flu-related absences and will work closely with state and local health agencies. Of course, we will make parents aware of information and updates as necessary.

Be sure to continue to check the Goshen Central School District website, where you will find updated information from the district, as well as links to sites such as the CDC and other health departments. You can also sign up for Goshen’s School News Notifier (SNN) service by clicking the SNN logo on the district homepage. Information and updates will be sent to subscribers via SNN emails.

The Goshen Central School District will continue to work with the state and county Health Departments on all issues related to the flu. Thank you for your cooperation in helping keep our students and schools healthy.

Sincerely,
Daniel T. Connor
Superintendent

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