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I-SS takes proactive approach to fight flu
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Published: September 4, 2009
Iredell-Statesville Schools doesn't have any confirmed cases of the H1N1 virus, but school officials aren't taking any chances.
I-SS schools will soon send out letters to parents containing tips on how to prevent illnesses and reminders of the district's absence policy, district spokeswoman Dawn Creason said.
"We have some possible cases in Iredell County, but no confirmed cases in our schools," she said.
The district has teamed up with the Iredell County Health Department and will offer flu shots to all middle school students in October.
Health Department workers will visit the district's seven middle schools on designated days and provide students with flu vaccination shots.
Creason said they will continue to follow Health Department guidelines. Unless "it gets really bad, the guidance we've been provided is not to close school," she said.
I-SS officials are urging parents to keep sick children at home and not to worry about the absence policy.
"If your child is really sick and needs to be absent, we do have a makeup policy," she said.
In an effort to educate students and their parents about the flu and how to avoid getting sick, I-SS will partner with the American Red Cross.
Red Cross staff members will present a program in the elementary schools on proper hand-washing techniques.
The district will provide middle and high school students with information on flu prevention.
Tips to preventing flu
+ Get vaccinated;
+ Avoid close contact with people who are sick;
+ If you're sick, keep your distance from others to prevent spreading it;
+ Stay at home if you're sick;
+ Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you sneeze or cough or sneeze or cough into your elbow;
+ Wash your hands regularly;
+ Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth because they are entry ways into the body; and
+ Practice good health habits such as exercising, eating nutritious food, drinking plenty of fluids, getting the proper amount of sleep and managing stress.
"If people practice those, they can really benefit," said Katherine Land, Iredell County Health Department public information officer.
Flu Vaccination dates for I-SS middle school students:
+ Mt. Mourne IB and Brawley: Oct. 5
+ Lakeshore Middle: Oct. 6
+ East Middle and Statesville Middle: Oct. 12
+ Troutman Middle and West Middle: Oct. 13
+ North Middle and Northview IB: Oct. 14
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