Swine Flu Protocol
Buxton School
Swine Flu Protocol
We’re all concerned about the threat of the new H1N1 virus and are determined to try to prevent its spread and to deal with it effectively should it hit our school. To that end, we have consulted with our school nurse, our consulting pediatrician, other health professionals, and other schools to come up with a swine-flu plan that will be reasonable and effective.
Most important is prevention. Here’s what we’ll be doing to help keep our students healthy throughout the year:
* Our nurse, Sandra DeRosia will meet with the entire student body and outline the important preventive measure students can take to stay well, including:
— frequent handwashing
— coughing into one’s elbow, not one’s hands
— observing common-sense hygiene guidelines when handling food and dishes
— disposing of tissues and paper towels after use in appropriate places
* We will have large bottles of hand sanitizer at the entrance of every dorm, in the classrooms, outside and inside the kitchen, and in all other public spaces.
* We are laying in extra supplies of hand soap, paper towels, and Kleenex.
* We will have large containers of antibacterial wipes in all of the bathrooms so that sinks and surfaces can be wiped down easily and frequently.
* In October, we will be offering the normal flu shot (as we do every year) as well as the H1N1 vaccine to students, faculty, and staff
* We will be on the lookout for flu symptoms (fever, sore throat, etc.); if a child appears to be coming down with the flu, we will take him or her to a doctor.
If a child does come down with the flu, in spite of these precautions:
* We will be in touch with the child’s parents immediately.
* We will ask parents who are in driving distance to come and get their child; we will ask that the child stay home until he or she has been fever-free for at least 24 hours. (We will make every effort to make sure the student gets assignments from us so that he/she does not get behind in his/her classes.)
* We will tend to international and other long-distance students here, continuing to observe hygiene guidelines to protect the safety of other students.