Dear Parents,

      We understand your concern for your child's wellbeing surrounding the H1N1 influenza virus currently circulating in Massachusetts.
    
     We are beginning to see more students with flu-like illnesses in all the Swansea Schools. At this point in the season, we can assume that the "flu-like activity" is H1N1 related because currently there is no seasonal flu circulating according to the Centers for Disease Control.  I have been in contact with the Swansea Board of Health and the Swansea Town Nurse. When information is made available to us regarding vaccine availability and the scheduling of clinics I will be posting it on the district website.

• Please be sure to keep your child home if they have a temperature of 100 degrees or higher with one or more flu-like symptoms (i.e. sore throat and/or cough).
• If your child becomes sick in school with a fever of 100 degrees or higher your child will be sent home.
• Students may return to school only after they have been fever free (without the use of fever reducing medicine, such as Tylenol or Motrin) for 24 hours.
• Be sure to use good hand washing and cough etiquette (coughing into your arm) at home, school and work.

I would like to clarify some concerns:

• Rhode Island has mandated that all school?aged children will be able to receive their H1N1 Vaccine in the schools if the parents choose.
• Massachusetts has not mandated any in school immunizations.
• Parents should continue to watch the news and be watching for clinics at their pediatrician?s offices and elsewhere in the community.

   
  Hello, this is a message from your child's school nurse. In an effort to improve parent and school communication, please follow these guidelines when calling the school regarding your child's absence.

Please call your childs school with the following information.

One, please state the reason for the absence. Illness with specific symptoms, dentist appointment, etcetera.
Two, does your child have a fever and how high?
Three, do you plan on contacting a doctor?

Once again, please remember to call the school if your child is going to be out for any reason. If you have any questions or concerns please be sure to contact your childs school nurse. Thank you.