SAMPLE LETTER to PARENTS Students Allowed to Return to School #4

SAMPLE LETTER TO PARENTS Students allowed to return to school #4:

Use this letter to inform parents students are allowed to return to school.

Dear Parents,

Contra Costa County health officials have agreed with our school that students can return to class. Students are allowed to return to school on ______.

Even though students may return to class, there are still some people who are sick from the flu virus. And health officials say that pandemic flu outbreaks sometimes happen in waves. This means more people could soon become sick again. If more people get sick, students may need to be dismissed again. We will continue to give you any important information.

If your child becomes ill with flu-like symptoms, including fever, runny nose, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, diarrhea and vomiting, you should contact your child’s health care provider, especially if your child has chronic medical conditions. If your child does not have a health care provider, you can call the Contra Costa Health Services Advice Nurse Line at 1-877-661-6230. Please do not go to the Emergency Room unless your child has a medical emergency.

Because the flu can still be spread from person to person, please keep children who are sick at home. Don’t send them to school.

Continue to follow these prevention tips to stop the spread of germs that cause the flu:

§  Cough or sneeze into your sleeve

§  Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, then throw the tissue in the trash

§  Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze

§  Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective. Flu viruses can live for several days on surfaces such as doorknobs

§  Avoid close contact with sick people. Try to stay at least 6 feet away from those who may be sick

§  If you get sick with the flu, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them

§  Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way

For more information call the school hotline (INSERT NUMBER) or visit Contra Costa Health Services online at www.cchealth.org or call the CCHS Health Emergency Information Line: 1-888-959-9911. You may also follow CCHS on Twitter: http://twitter.com/cocohealth/ or on Facebook: Contra Costa Health Services.

We are looking forward to seeing your children again.

09/09