The Italy Independent School District is working with local, county, state and federal authorities to ensure that we are prepared for flu season this fall and winter. Be assured that Italy ISD is taking extra sanitation measures every day at every building on campus. Hand sanitizers and soap dispensers have been provided in restrooms. Disinfectants are applied frequently to desks, door handles, hallways and buses.

We have had a few students exhibit influenza-like illnesses (ILI) over the past two weeks, but no identified case(s) of Type A (presumed H1N1) flu at our campuses. Fortunately, our attendance rate is steady and there has not been an excessive amount of absences as of the above date.

As we take precautions each day on campus and within each classroom, here are some things you can discuss with your children about proper personal care and prevention, as well as what you should do if your child is sick:

• Keep your child home if they are sick, if they are throwing up, have diarrhea or have a fever greater than 100. Students may return to school when they have been fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medications.
• Teach your children to wash their hands with soap and water. Hand washing needs to last 20 seconds (equivalent to your child singing Happy Birthday two times).
• Teach your children not to share personal items like food or drinks.
• Teach your children to cover coughs and sneezes using the elbow, arm, or sleeve instead of the hand.
• Know the signs and symptoms of the flu:
  • Fever greater than 100.5
  • Cough
  • Sore throat
  • Body aches
  • Runny/Stuffy nose
  • Headache

Our school website will carry information and links during the flu season and you may call the school if you need further assistance. If you take your child to the doctor, please call the school and let us know if Type A (presumed H1N1) is diagnosed so that we can track instances of flu. Please make sure that your child’s contact information is updated. We will send students home if they exhibit symptoms at school.

For more information visit www.flu.gov.