Welcome Back 2009-2010

Welcome Back & H1N1

Sept 9, 2009

Dear Parents:

Welcome to the new 2009-2010 school year – the summer went by quickly and now families are moving back into the fall routines. Over the summer there was extensive media coverage on the H1N1 virus and we were asked many times about steps we are taking to protect students and staff. I want to share with you the steps we are taking and ask you to support the work we are doing.

1. We have continued to distribute to all schools colored posters with pictures on proper hand washing. All washrooms have liquid soap and paper towels and it is important to emphasize to students, regardless of age, the importance of thorough hand washing.

2. Each homeroom teacher at K-12 will review with students the following tips for protecting themselves and others from influenza. It would be helpful if you could reinforce these at home as well.

a. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you sneeze or cough, and throw tissues away. You may want to have your child carry tissues with them. Small plastic packages could be kept inside a pencil case.

b. If you have no tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not the hands.

d. Avoid touching surfaces like door knobs, railings, light switches, or keyboards and then touching the eyes, nose or mouth.

3. It is important to keep students home if they have flu like symptoms such as fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat, body aches, fatigue and lack of appetite. We know there are students who want to attend school even when they are not well, however this can cause the flu to spread to others.

4. We have asked school custodians to give priority to cleaning surfaces such as door knobs, railings, desk tops, computer keyboards, telephones etc. We know that this will mean that other things cannot be done as often, however this is the priority as we begin the school year.

5. Hand sanitizer stations (non-alcohol) will be installed in school entrances and in computer labs. Sanitizers will also be available in the main office for visitors. We know that using a sanitizer does not replace thorough hand washing.

6. We recommend the following website www.gnb.ca/cnb/Promos/Flu as it includes a video on hand washing and several small sized posters than can be downloaded and used with your children at home. It contains fact sheets, links and has regular updates. There is also a toll free number 1-800-580-0038 for more information.

The School District works closely with Public Health and will continue to do so. During the year when there is a flu outbreak we monitor student attendance and communicate with Public Health if absentee rates increase.

I hope your family has a great school year. Our schools will be organizing Open House events during the month of September and I encourage you to attend and meet your Principal and teachers. We will also be looking for volunteers to be part of the Parent School Support Committee and information will be made available to you on this opportunity. In looking ahead, please note that October 8-9 are student free days as all teachers will be participating in Professional Development on topics such as: reading standards, guided reading, the new math curriculum at grades 2, 5, and 8, science, a new chemistry curriculum at grades 11-12. If you require a copy of the school calendar please visit our website at www.district6.nbed.nb.ca.

Thank you for your on-going support of our schools – it is important for us to work together to ensure the success of each student.

Yours truly,

Zoë Watson, Superintendent

School District 6

Tel: (506) 847-6262 70B Hampton Road

Fax: (506) 847-6211 Rothesay, NB