H1N1, a new flu virus that emerged during the 08 - 09 school year, became pandemic within a matter of weeks. The severity of the H1N1 flu during the initial outbreak remained the same as for seasonal flu.
Dexter Community School staff have been working for a number of years on refining a Pandemic Flu Plan for the District.
The district plan is based on the recommendations of the Center for Disease Control (CDC), and of local agencies such as the Washtenaw County Public Health Department (WCPHD), The Michigan Department of Education (MDE), and the Washtenaw Intermediate School District (WISD).
The DCS plan has been activated with the emergence of the new H1N1 flu strain. Teachers have been inserviced in health precautions, plans are in place to educate our students on how to protect and maintain their health, extra supplies have been purchased, and extra cleaning is being implemented for heavily used surfaces such as doorknobs and handrails.
The severity of the coming flu season is unknown and plans are fluid, ready to be adapted as needed. The plan has guidance in place for actions if the severity of the flu remains the same as seasonal flu, or if it becomes more severe. For example the CDC is not recommending school closure if the flu continues to cause mild disease, but school closures may still be warranted in the event of overwhelming absenteeism or an increase in severity of the flu.
One thing that is known is the importance of basic health precautions in preventing the spread of flu. As parents one of the most important things you can do is to model, teach, and reinforce these practices with your children.
Dexter Community Schools goal for the coming flu season is to have our students be healthy, stay heathy and keep learning. As parents you can help us with this goal by following the guidance of the CDC and teaching basic health practices to your children.