About 2 percent of Newton Public Schools students are absent due to known influenza-like illness. Individual classes and schools may have higher illness rates with clusters of students who are ill. The overall ILI rate is gradually increasing.
To control the spread of this contagious illness, it is everybody’s individual responsibility to keep sick children out of school. If you’re unsure if your child meets the stringent criteria (fever and cough or sore throat), err on the side of caution and do the right thing by keeping your child at home.
Notify the school of the reason for all absences to assist school nurses in tracking the size of the outbreak.
THE WILLIAMS SCHOOL ABSENCE/SAFE ARRIVAL NUMBER is: 617-559-6499.
H1N1 vaccine availability continues to be limited. Vaccine has been distributed to health care providers who serve high-risk people targeted for early vaccination (obstetricians, pediatricians and local boards of health).
The Newton Health & Human Services Department plans to make H1N1 vaccine available to Newton school-age children. The exact form of these clinics is still being decided. To help us better prepare, all parents should complete a survey about H1N1 vaccine. This survey is for all families, even if your children have already been vaccinated.
Please click on the link below by Monday, November 23 to participate in this brief survey: Flu Survey
The Health & Human Services Department in partnership with Newton-Wellesley Hospital is currently using the small supply of vaccine for pregnant women and families with an infant under 6 months old.
If anyone in your family fits one of these two target groups, please call 617-796-1434 for an appointment. Target groups will be expanded as more vaccine becomes available, so please do not call now unless you are pregnant or you have an infant under 6 months old.
For any questions or specific data about your school, please contact your school nurse (Dolly_Staulo@newton.k12.ma.us) or the health department at 617-796-1420.
