November 5, 2009

Dear Parents/Guardians:

I want to take this opportunity to bring you up to date on the extent of H1N1 flu in the Rockland Public Schools.

As you are probably aware, all school districts in the state have cases of the flu, some more severely than others.

At the moment, we have had 10 cases in the district out of our 2,300 students.

No children have been hospitalized and three of the children have already returned to school.

The head nurse and I are being vigilant, checking attendance patterns on a daily basis and communicating with the Department of Public Health.

Teachers are encouraging hand-washing and safe coughing methods and the district is providing Purell in common areas such as outside the cafeteria and the gymnasium.

Thank you for your cooperation in keeping your child home if they have a temperature or flu-like symptoms.

Children may return to school if they have no temperature for twenty-four hours without using Tylenol or other temperature reducing drugs.

We will make every effort to keep you informed as the school year proceeds.

Sincerely,

John Retchless Superintendent of Schools