Rhiza Labs FluTracker Forum

Updated Message Regarding Influenza at Shaler Area
October 8, 2009

Dear Shaler Area Parents,

This is a follow-up message to the one from a couple days ago when I reported that absentee rates at our Middle School on Mt. Royal were running higher than normal but that all other schools absentee rates were in the normal range of around 5% absent.

The 5% absentee rate continues to be the norm except at the Middle School which still has about 20% absent with students continuing to be sent home while others return. The purpose of this message is to report that even though absentee rates are normal in most schools we are starting to see signs that some of those absent students have flu symptoms. The process that seems to be unfolding is once a person goes to his/her physician and H1N1 is suspected, the doctor orders a test. In two cases that we have been made aware of, H1N1 has been confirmed but the report back to us comes after the child has already returned to school.

The point to my message is simply that the flu season is upon us and we cannot escape it. We must resign ourselves to the fact that seasonal flu and H1N1 is now in Shaler Area. We continue to urge you to pay attention to your families' symptoms and if your children are demonstrating any fever whatsoever, we are asking that you keep your child home. Again, if your child does experience a fever you are reminded that the child is to remain home until the fever has been eliminated without the assistance of medication for a period of at least 24 hours. I also ask our employees to follow the same procedure and use their allotted sick days if they experience fever as well.

It is fitting that I write this updated message today after having just returned from Jeffery Elementary where I was invited to read to the entire school about their theme of the month - "Support". The staff at Jeffery, much like in all our schools, utilize what we refer to as the 40 Developmental Assets to help teach our students about important life messages and lessons. In this case, we all need to rely on Jeffery's theme for the month and support one another by being mindful of flu symptoms that we personally experience. So often this week I heard reports from nurses that the reason a child, who had a fever, came to school was due to an important game, a big test, or because it was their birthday. I urge us all to work together and support one another by paying close attention to our own personal health.

I will not be leaving weekly messages about flu cases at Shaler Area and will only report untypical situations such as the high absentee rate this week at SAMS. Stay safe and I wish everyone good health.

Sincerely,
Donald Lee
Superintendent

http://sasd.k12.pa.us/

Update on Butler Area School District in Butler, PA. The rumor mill has stated absent students total approximately 25-30% this week. Still no notification for the parents and article in Butler Eagle stated the school district has only 1 confirmed case to date. Superintendent stated that parents would be notified if the flu seems to be a problem within the schools. What a joke!!

This letter is to inform you that novel H1N1 influenza, formerly known as swine influenza, is circulating in Allegheny County as well as in our school. We have been working in consultation with the Allegheny County Health Department to manage this flu season with the least discomfort and disruption for our district.

ACHD says testing for H1N1 is only being done for hospital admissions and is not recommending schools track or inform anyone of which illnesses are H1N1 cases.

http://www.pinerichland.org/flureports.htm

Sounds like Shaler and Monessen. So far only Shaler has come out with real numbers.