There has been an increase in the rate of absences in the Newton Public Schools due to influenza-like illness. This is expected and consistent with what is being reported across the state.
As of Wednesday, Oct. 28, Less than 1 percent, or 85 of the approximately 11,000 students, have known influenza- like illness, which is a fever of at least 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit and a cough or sore throat. The Health & Human Services Department reviews absence data daily and will continue to keep families informed.
If your child is absent, you must call the school to report the reason for the absence. Please be specific when describing your child’s symptoms. Simply saying your child is “ill” isn’t enough. Is there a fever, sore throat, ear infection? Whatever it is PLEASE let us know.
THE WILLIAMS SCHOOL ABSENCE/SAFE ARRIVAL NUMBER is: 617-559-6499.
Because the country is experiencing an influenza outbreak, you can expect the school nurse to follow up by telephone with families who do not indicate a specific reason for a student’s absence.
Do not send sick children to school. They will be sent home. Students who are in school less than 24 hours after a fever will also be sent home. For example, if your child has a fever on Monday evening and does not have a fever on Tuesday morning, s/he cannot attend school until Wednesday when at least 24 hours have passed without fever. Please refer to the flu symptoms checklist for help in deciding if your child should attend school. This can be found at: http://www.ci.newton.ma.us/Health/documents/swine_flu_symptom_checklist.pdf
The Newton Health & Human Services Department is committed to offering the H1N1 influenza vaccine to all Newton students in grades K to 12. We expect to provide this vaccine in school to students with parental consent. The dates for these clinics will be scheduled based on vaccine availability. We anticipate the earliest time these clinics would be scheduled is December. Limited vaccine distribution has already begun at some health facilities, so we encourage families with high risk children to check with their health care provider.
For additional questions, please contact your school nurse ([email protected]) or call the health department at (617) 796-1420.
Ruth Hoshino, RN
Clinical Nurse Supervisor
Newton Health and Human Services Department
617-796-1442
617-552-7063 FAX
