|
Below is a listing of the tasks SD81 has taken, and will continue to take, in response to a potentially escalating H1N1 pandemic situation. The links on the left provide further information and useful sites on the H1N1 Flu virus.
Pre-pandemic Phase
Task list
- Provide H1N1 information to schools for parent newsletters on first week of school.
- Update District website with link to H1N1 government website and information for Parents, Students and Schools.
- Put H1N1Facts in local newspaper.
- Discuss value of Alcohol-gel handwash with Public Health.
- Provide Alcohol-gel handwash (60% alcohol) for school entrances, computer labs, offices.
- Promote proper handwashing with soap and water for staff and students; coughing and sneezing into tissue or crook of arm. Websites sent to schools:
- Ensure that all elementary and Strong Start classrooms are modeling proper hand washing with students. Principals report to Superintendent.
- send letter home with elementary students and put on website – if child is sick, please keep them home; ensure emergency numbers are updated.
- Ensure schools and district emergency communication trees are accurate; copies to district office.
- Provide Lysol wipes for all schools: Kleenex for high school.
- Contact Public Health for participation in planning.
- Establish Pandemic Planning Meeting/Emergency Response Team to identify what has been done; who else needs to be involved; other information needed.
- model correct desk/table top/ edge cleaning/light switches/ doorknobs/bannisters and cleaning expectations to janitorial staff
- Model proper computer/keyboard cleaning for janitorial and maintenance staff.
- discuss bus cleaning with bus contractor
- develop medical room cleaning protocol and review with principals, secretaries and maintenance staff
- Provide disposable masks and gloves to schools for medical room protocol
- letter to staff on staying home if sick and on protecting staff and student confidentiality.
- Plan for continuation of educational services in case of school closures; training provided to high school staff for lessons to be available on webpage.
- Plan for continuation of Payroll services.
Pandemic Phase
Task List
- Advise the Public Health nurse when 10% of school population is away ill.
As in the past 10 years the regular Public Health Flu Protocol will be followed by schools. The school secretaries contact Public Health if 10% or more students are absent from school with flu-like symptoms. This information often comes from the school’s Safe Arrival program. Public Health contacts parents, takes a swab from the child and test results are then sent for examination and determination of H1N1.
- If school trips are planned, determine how children will be isolated and sent home should they become ill with flu like symptoms.
- School trips and school evening user groups may be cancelled.
- Depending on staffing or student shortages, classes may need to be combined and/or non enrolling staff/ administration may be assigned to classrooms; non-emergency leaves may be cancelled.
- Bus routes may need to be combined due to driver and /or student shortages.
- Evaluate student learning continuity; adjust as needed.
- Continue cleaning and hygiene practices and procedures.
- Ensure schools have adequate supply of hand soap, alcohol-based gel, Kleenex, paper towels.
- Advise staff and students that are sick with flu like symptoms to remain at home.
- Monitor classes with fragile special needs students. They may need to be advised to stay home due to health/safety concerns related to student/staff shortages.
- Separate ill students in sick room until they can be sent home.
- Follow sick room protocol.
- If school is open, provide information in school newsletters/district website.
- If decision to close school occurs after school hours use critical response communication tree to inform staff.
- Schools may be closed. Communication Plan (Pandemic Protocol item 4 ) followed to inform public.
|
