[Pleasant_view_elementary] Latest announcement about influenza

[Tracy Vermillion]

May 1, 2009


Dear ZCS Families and Staff:

ZCS health and administration officials continue daily monitoring of
news and information about influenza.  As you will see below, Dr. Tony
Bennett, Superintendent of the Indiana Department of Education,
corresponded late yesterday (4-30-09) with information from the State
Department of Health.

ZCS will remain fully compliant with county, state, and Centers for
Disease Control advice and/or mandate regarding the influenza outbreak. 
Our effectiveness in this pursuit depends upon parent, student, and
staff communication and cooperation during this critical time.  Parents,
staff, and students are asked to stay focused on personal hygiene. 
Again, communication with school health and administrative officials is
critical to avoiding unnecessary mandatory school closure and undue
fear.

I will report to you again via these channels (email listservs and
school announcement software) as information in this matter evolves.

Thank you for your cooperation, communication and common sense at this
time.

Sincerely,


Scott Robison, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools
______________________________________________________

EXCERPT FROM 4/30/09 EMAIL BY DR. TONY BENNETT, Indiana Department of
Education—

“Hoosier families need to know that 1) the health and safety of
Indiana students is always our top priority, 2) local schools are taking
proper precautions now to prevent the spread of this flu, and 3) we are
prepared to take additional action if necessary. Based on current
guidance from the Indiana State Department of Health and Department of
Homeland Security, school closures are only required in the event of a
confirmed case of the H1N1 flu virus at this time. (See attached
communication to local health departments from State Health Commissioner
Judy Monroe.)

In the event of school closures
Should the State Health Commissioner or a local county health official
issue a school closure order as a direct result of a confirmed case of
the H1N1 flu virus, the Indiana Department of Education is prepared to
consider waiving the financial penalty this year for a school that falls
short of the state’s180-day instructional time requirement. The state
would provide similar latitude should a closure order prevent a school
from completing its spring ISTEP+ test administration under these
extraordinary circumstances.”
				Email excerpt from Tony Bennett 5:30 PM,
4/30/09

EXCERPT FROM 4/30/09 LETTER BY DR. JUDITH MONROE, M.D., Commissioner of
the Indiana State Department of Health--  

“The CDC guidance on school and childcare closures states that:
Dismissal of students should be strongly considered in schools with
confirmed or a suspected case epidemiologically linked to a confirmed
case…Given the pandemic severity index of one as announced by CDC,
suggesting that this virus is causing illness no more severe than
seasonal influenza, this guidance shows good reasoning.  My
recommendation to the Governor and to the Department of Education is
that Indiana follow the current guidance from CDC.  Indiana schools are
completing ISTEP this week and students will be completing the school
year and taking final exams in the next few weeks.  Unless there is a
real risk within a school, it should not be closed which disrupts both
the student’s academic progress and creates logistical problems for
parents.  The ISDH will be available to assist you in making the
decision to dismiss a school in the event that we identify a confirmed
case or suspect case epidemiologically linked to a confirmed case.”

Excerpt from letter by State Health Commissioner, Judith Monroe, M.D.



Tracy Vermillion
Secretary
Pleasant View Upper Elementary
4800 South 975 East
Zionsville, IN 46077
(317)873-1224     Fax:  (317)873-1245
tvermillion at zcs.k12.in.us