The Health & Human Services Department is reviewing the H1N1 vaccination experience to learn from the process. The information will be used to inform planning for possible school-based flu vaccination in the future. To help, please complete a short survey about your child’s experience. This survey is open to all Newton Public Schools parents, whether or not your children were vaccinated for H1N1 at their school. It’s particularly important to hear from both parents of children who were vaccinated at school and those who were not vaccinated at
school. Please click on the link below by Friday, April 2, to complete the survey. Thank you for your help.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/newtonparentsurvey

Remember to wash your hands, cover your cough and stay home if you are sick!

The rescheduled clinic will be:
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
American Legion Post 440, 295 California St., Nonantum

Questions? Call the Health & Human Services Department at 617-796-1434.

The Newton Health & Human Services Department is offering one more opportunity to receive this important vaccine. The vaccine is free, and anyone may attend this clinic.

H1N1 Flu Vaccination Clinic
Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2010
2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
and
5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
American Legion Post 440
295 California Street, Nonantum

Children under age 10 (those 6 months through 9 years) need two doses of the H1N1 vaccine spaced a minimum of three weeks apart. Children age 10 and older and adults need 1 dose of the H1N1 vaccine. Both first and second doses will be available at this clinic. Both H1N1 flu shots and H1N1 nasal spray flu vaccine will be available.
Download the H1N1 forms at www.newtonma.gov/flu. Fill out and bring these forms to the clinic.

A limited amount of seasonal flu vaccine will also be offered – these forms will be available at the clinic.

More than 4,000 doses of H1N1 vaccine were administered at all Newton Public Schools during the December school-based vaccination campaign. Many more people were vaccinated at community clinics. If your child was vaccinated at a school clinic, the original vaccination record will be stored in your child’s school health record.

If you would like a copy, contact your school nurse. If your child was vaccinated at a public clinic, the original vaccination record is stored at the Health Department. If you would like a copy, call the Health Department at 617-796-1420.
The school nurses are continuing to monitor absence levels daily, and request that parents let their child’s school know the reason for any absence.

Remember to wash your hands, cover your cough, and stay home when you’re sick. Have a healthy winter!

One vaccine manufacturer, Sanofi Pasteur, has issued a non-safety related recall of some of its vaccine for children 6 months to 35 months of age. The Newton Health & Human Services Department has not used the recalled vaccine at any of its vaccination clinics.

An H1N1 vaccination clinic will be held on Wednesday, January 6, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Brown Middle School Cafeteria, 125 Meadowbrook Road. This clinic is for children 6 months through age 18 accompanied by parents, their adult family members, and City of Newton employees.

Children under age 10 require two doses of vaccine. They can receive their second dose at this clinic if it has been at least 14 days since the first dose.

Please download and complete a Vaccine Administration Record at www.newtonma.gov/flu and bring it with you. One form is needed for each person being vaccinated.

It is strongly recommended that everyone receive the H1N1 vaccine even if you think you may have already had this type of flu. The vaccine is now available for people of all ages. See www.newtonma.gov/flu for a listing of all clinics.

Influenza-like illness in the Newton Public Schools is very low. As of December 14, less than 1 percent of students across the district were reported absent due to influenza-like illness. While the illness level remains low at this time, it is unknown what will happen in the months ahead.

Typically, January through April is a time when influenza is active in New England. The school nurses will continue to monitor absences after the December break so please continue to report the reason for your child’s absence to their school.

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.
Have a safe and healthy winter break.

School nurses will continue daily absence surveillance:
THE WILLIAMS SCHOOL ABSENCE/SAFE ARRIVAL NUMBER is: 617-559-6499.

The Newton Health & Human Services Department is planning for H1N1 vaccination clinics for all of the Newton schools in December. The free vaccine will be offered during school hours.

To sign your child up to receive the vaccine at school, download the documents below from the City of Newton Flu Website at: http://www.newtonma.gov/flu/

Paper copies are also available from your school nurse. Completed forms are due to your school nurse by Thursday, Dec. 3. No child will be vaccinated without these forms. Insurance information is collected on the Vaccine Administration Record because we anticipate being able to bill insurance companies for vaccine administration.

• Read the Vaccine Information Statement for the type of vaccine you want your child to receive: shot or nasal spray
• Sign and return the Consent Form to the School Nurse for the type of vaccine you want your child to receive: shot or nasal spray
• Sign and return the Vaccine Administration Record to the School Nurse (leave insurance information blank if you do not have insurance)

We expect most children will be able to receive the vaccine on their own at school with minimal distress. However, if a parent would like to be present when their child is vaccinated, arrangements can be made for the parent to attend the clinic with the child. Contact your school nurse (Dolly_Staulo@newton.k12.ma.us) to make arrangements. If you feel your child may not be able to handle receiving the vaccine at school, contact your child’s pediatrician.

We expect the vaccination clinics to start in December. We will begin vaccinating elementary school students first. Dates will be announced soon and will depend on vaccine availability. The clinic date at your child’s school will be announced at school, on the website, and via Connect-Ed before the clinic.

We understand some children may receive the vaccine elsewhere after forms are returned, but before the school clinic date. If this happens, contact your school nurse to remove your child from the clinic list.

Frequently asked questions about the vaccine are posted online with the forms.

Additional questions should be directed to your School Nurse or to the health department at 617-796-1420.

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.

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 (dolly_staulo@newton.k12.ma.us) 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

New guidelines are in place to help prevent and control the spread of H1N1 influenza. We ask for your support by following these guidelines which will help to keep our students and staff healthy and learning this school year.

If your child is sick
Do not send a sick child to school. S/he will be sent home. Please call your child’s school to report absence for any reason, especially for influenza-like illness. During this H1N1 influenza pandemic, school nurses will track illness in the schools, so it is important to know if your child’s absence is due to influenza-like illness.

New 24-hour post-fever exclusion
Students, faculty and staff with influenza-like illness (ILI) may not return to school until they are fever free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medicine. Influenza-like illness means fever greater than 100.4 degrees F plus cough or sore throat. Other symptoms may include runny nose, body aches, headache, chills, feeling tired, and in some people, diarrhea and vomiting.

The 24-hour exclusion policy is a change from the seven-day exclusion period in effect during the spring. This guideline is similar to the policy for returning to school after other illnesses such as strep throat or seasonal influenza. The Newton Public Schools illness policy is found in the Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook available online at www.newton.k12.ma.us.

Mask use & picking up sick children
Students and staff with influenza-like illness will be dismissed from school. In accordance with state and federal guidelines, face masks may be used in the school health rooms for people with influenza-like illness. Sick students may wear a mask until a parent/guardian arrives for pickup. This measure will protect other people who are around the sick student. Sick students will be isolated as much as is possible while waiting for pickup, so it is essential that parents provide current contact information and arrive promptly if called by the school nurse.

Please make arrangements now should your child become ill during the school day for any reason. He or she will need to be picked up promptly and cared for at home for the duration of the illness. Consider stocking up on supplies such as a digital thermometer, fluids and fever-reducing medicine. You can find important information in Flu: What You Can Do, Caring For People at Home, a booklet that can be obtained in your school nurse’s office or from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) website at www.mass.gov/dph/flu

Surveillance and school closure
School nurses will closely monitor absences every day. We will consider closing a school if the operation of the school is impacted because of significant absence among staff and students. This policy is based on federal and state guidelines intended to keep school buildings open and to continue the educational process as long as it is safe and reasonable to do so.

H1N1 vaccine
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is expected to make recommendations this month about administering the H1N1 vaccine. The Newton Health & Human Services Department anticipates offering this vaccine to students and staff in accordance with the target groups established by CDC and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. More information about these target groups is available at www.cdc.gov/flu.

The H1N1 vaccine is expected to begin arriving in October and will continue coming until demand is met. It is likely two doses of H1N1 vaccine, given separately, will be required for full protection. This voluntary immunization will be free of charge and is expected to be offered at clinics after school and in the evening. Middle and High School students may be able to receive the vaccine during school hours. A signed parent/guardian consent form is required to immunize children, unless a parent or guardian is present.

Seasonal influenza vaccine
There is a different vaccine that is required to protect against the seasonal flu. It does not provide protection against H1N1 influenza. The CDC recommends that children 6 months through 18 years old receive seasonal influenza vaccine every year. Newton Public Middle and High School students will be offered the seasonal flu vaccine for a fee during the school day in October. More information about the seasonal influenza vaccine program and how to sign your child up will be provided by your school nurse, through email and posted on the city’s website this month. There are many places to receive a seasonal flu vaccine in and around Newton. Visit www.newtonma.gov/flu to find nearby clinic locations.

Additional prevention measures
Influenza is spread primarily when an infected person coughs and sneezes. Frequent hand washing and avoiding touching the eyes, nose and mouth, helps to prevent catching the flu. School nurses teach children proper hand washing and cough/sneeze etiquette (into arm instead of hands). Parents can reinforce these good habits at home. Waterless hand sanitizer is available at schools. School staff will encourage frequent hand washing and use of hand sanitizers.

Where to find updates
Your child’s school nurse is available to answer questions and clarify health information. Health department staff members are available to answer additional questions at (617) 796-1420. Local updates and links to detailed information can be found on the city’s website at www.newtonma.gov/flu. Urgent information would be disseminated through Connect-Ed messages.

Commitment and collaboration
The Newton Public Schools and the Health & Human Services Department are working together to ensure the health and safety of our students and staff. This collaboration extends to the families of our students as we all strive to ensure that our schools provide a healthy learning environment for our children.

Sincerely,
J. David Naparstek, Commissioner Health & Human Services Department
V. James Marini, Superintendent Newton Public Schools

(9/2 Letter to Newton Public Schools Families)

1. The flu: If you have any questions or concerns regarding the latest information regarding the flu and Newton Public Schools…go to the website www.newton.k12.ma.us. What is posted there quite regularly is all of the information that is provided to me. Please keep in mind that these are not my rules. They are coming from the state. We have seen our fair share of students with fevers here at Williams over the past 2 weeks. For the most part everyone has been respectful and responsible by keeping their children home for the required time. Our biggest concern is that as the ” flu hype” wears off, so will that level of respect and responsibility. Please continue to to be aware of what is happening around you. This is such a busy and fun time for all of us and I would hate to have the children and staff exposed to illness unnecessarily.

2. Health Screenings: All grade-specific health screenings (vision, hearing, scoliosis, height, weight) have been done for quite a while. But there are still a few referrals that are incomplete. If you received a notice from me regarding your child’s results and have not returned it and/or contacted me please do so.

3. Color Day: Remember to apply sunscreen at home before your child comes to school (I am not allowed to apply it.) Also make sure they wear a hat and have a water bottle.

4. Medications: If your child has any medication here in the health office, please don’t forget to pick it up on/before the last day of school. I CANNOT SEND MEDICATION HOME IN YOUR CHILDS BACKPACK! Inhalers are the only thing that can be transported by students. If the medication is not picked up by an adult, I have to throw it out. No medication can stay in the Health Room over the summer.

5. Current 3rd & 4th grade parents: Last week I sent home an Interval Health History form for you to fill out and return with your child’s most recent physical exam. Please do so.

6.Parents of entering 5th graders: Your child’s health chart will be transferred to their middle school this Thursday, June 4. It would be beneficial to you and your new school nurse to send in your child’s most recent physical exam report so I can include it. Send them in by Wednesday so I can update your child’s chart. Please know that I review with the middle school nurses each and every students health chart and share with them any pertinent information. Most of our current 5th graders haven’t provided a physical exam to me since kindergarten, and many students have received a second chicken pox vaccine, or influenza vaccine since then. It is very important to have these things documented on their health charts.

7. Puberty Education: The puberty unit will be presented to the 5th grade on Friday afternoon, June 5. If you DO NOT want your child to participate you must send in the “opt out” portion of the notice that went home to you, with your signature.

Thanks for reading and, as always, please don’t hesitate to call or stop by if you have any questions or concerns!