Dear Parent or Guardian,
Jesup Schools is working with public health officials to decrease the spread of
flu at our school. We are taking these measures to help our students stay healthy. We need your help.
Influenza spreads most easily in the early stages of the illness. To protect your child, as well as any
other child, we will be more sensitive to the symptoms of influenza and will send your child home if ill.
Following these recommendations will help to prevent illness in your child and his/her classmates.
Know the signs and symptoms of the flu. Symptoms of the flu can include fever (oral
temperature of 100 F or greater), cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches,
headache, and feeling very tired. Some people may also vomit or have diarrhea.
Do not send children to school if they are sick. Any children who are determined to be sick
while at school will be sent home. You should begin to plan how you will provide care for your
sick child if you are not able to stay home with them.
Keep sick children at home for at least 24 hours after the fever is gone. If you give your child
fever reducing drugs, like ibuprofen, ensure your child has not had a fever for 24 hours after the
drugs have worn off.
Teach your children the flu is spread from person-to-person. Teach them to cough or
sneeze into a tissue and then throw the tissue in trash. If a tissue is not available, teach them to
cover their cough or sneeze using their elbow or sleeve instead of their hands.
Teach your children to wash their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
(the time it takes to sing happy birthday twice), especially after they cough or sneeze. If soap
and water is not available, an alcohol-based hand gel can be used. You can set a good example
by doing this yourself.
Teach your children not to share personal items like beverages, cups, food, unwashed
utensils, or toothbrushes.
Get your family vaccinated for seasonal influenza soon, and novel influenza A (H1N1) when it
becomes available.
We appreciate your help in keeping our students healthy.
Sincerely,
Jesup Schools
