A Message from the Superintendent

April 28, 2009

Dear Parents,

Due to recent concerns about the spread of swine flu, we would like to remind you of some ways to protect your family from getting sick. Currently, as this letter is being written, there are no known cases of swine flu in Blount County or Alabama; however, we want to take precautions and be prepared in the event that this illness spreads to our communities.

-        Keep children who are sick at home.  Do not send them to school.

-        Teach your children to wash their hands a lot with soap and water for 20 seconds. Be sure to set a good example by doing this yourself.

-        Teach your children to cover coughs and sneezes with tissues or by coughing into the inside of the elbow. Be sure to set a good example by doing this yourself.

-        Teach your children to stay at least three feet away from people who are sick.  

-        People who are sick should stay home from work or school and avoid other people until they are better.

Please see the back of this letter for information regarding illnesses, such as influenza, and school attendance. 

Following are websites that will provide you will additional information regarding concerns of flu and pandemic preparation:  Alabama Public Health: http://www.adph.org/;  Federal Government: http://www.pandemicflu.gov/; and the American Red Cross: http://www.redcross.org/ .

Please be assured that this information is not intended to cause panic, but to help each of us to be better prepared in the event of a pandemic. If you have questions, please contact your school nurse or healthcare provider.

Sincerely,

James E. Carr, Superintendent