

	H1N1 Preparedness Plan Summary H1N1 Action Chart Links and More Info

H1N1 Preparedness Plan - 2009 (Working Draft)

Preparing for Pandemic Flu
The Schools of Eastern Carver County are working with the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) to ensure proper plans are in place to deal with the possibility of a widespread H1N1 flu virus. A planning committee worked during the summer of 2009 to put into place plans that guide the District's response to the flu outbreak. The plans included in this document may change as the situation changes and on the advice of the MDH and MDE.

Our primary goal is to provide a safe, effective learning environment at every school, while taking the appropriate steps to minimize the risk of H1N1 for staff and students.

Guidance for Schools - MDH guidelines form basis of our plan
The District's response to a serious outbreak of H1N1 flu is guided by the recommendations of the Minnesota Department of Health and consultation with the Minnesota Department of Education. Both of these organizations draw heavily from the work of the Center for Disease Control.

Most recent guidelines make the decision to dismiss students or close schools due to the pandemic a local decision. The guidelines are designed to decrease exposure to regular seasonal flu and the H1N1 virus while limiting disruption of the day-to-day activities within a school district. We are using the following guidelines as the school year begins.

Under conditions with similar severity as in spring 2009

Stay home when sick - Those with flu-like illness should stay home for at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever, or signs of a fever, without the use of fever-reducing medicines. People who are ill should stay home even if they are using antiviral drugs.
Separate ill students and staff - Students and staff members who appear to have flu-like illness should be sent to a room separate from others until they can be sent home.
Hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette - The new recommendations emphasize the importance of influenza prevention including having students and staff stay home when sick; frequent hand washing with soap and water, when possible; and covering nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
Routine cleaning - School staff should routinely clean areas that students and staff touch often with the cleaners they typically use. CDC does not believe any additional disinfection of environmental surfaces beyond the recommended routine cleaning is required.
Early treatment of high-risk students and staff - People at high risk of influenza complications who become ill with influenza-like illness should speak with their health care provider as soon as possible. Early treatment with antiviral medications is very important for people at high risk because it can prevent hospitalizations and deaths. People at high risk include those who are pregnant, have asthma or diabetes, have compromised immune systems or have neuromuscular diseases.
Consideration of selective school dismissal - Although there are not many schools where all or most students are at high risk, a community might decide to dismiss such a school to better protect these high-risk students.

Under conditions of increased severity compared with spring 2009
CDC and MDH may recommend additional measures to help protect students and staff if global and national assessments indicate that influenza is causing more severe disease. In addition, local health and education officials may elect to implement some of these additional measures including the following:

Active screening - Schools should regularly monitor the health of students and staff members and send them home if they are ill.
High-risk students and staff members stay home - People at high risk of flu complications should talk to their doctor about staying home from school when a lot of flu is circulating in the community.
Extend the period ill persons should stay home - If influenza severity increases, people with flu-like illness should stay home for at least seven days, even if symptoms are no longer present.
School dismissals - School and health officials should work closely to balance the risks of flu in their community with the disruption dismissals will cause. The length of time schools should be dismissed will vary depending on the type of dismissal as well as the severity and extent of illness.

Eastern Carver County School Planning
Early School Year Responses -

Principals will alert staff to the issues surrounding the H1N1 virus, emphasizing prevention and awareness.
Students and staff will be given opportunities to wash hands frequently throughout the course of a day.
Staff will send students who may have flu symptoms to the nurse; students will be sent home if symptoms exist.
Parents will receive a letter from the Superintendent outlining the health issues and stressing the personal responsibility of individuals to stay home from school and work if sick.
District website will offer information and resources on the H1N1 virus and the District's response to the situation.

Confirmed, Isolated Cases in Schools

Superintendent, principal, health coordinator consult about the specific situation to restrict activities and/or access if appropriate.
Parents in classroom affected receive screening tool to use with children.
Continue prevention measures.
School program continues normally.
Schools take precautions to separate groups of students as much as possible.
Continued emphasis on prevention and staying home if sick.

Widespread Outbreak in One or More Schools

Superintendent, principal(s) may limit or eliminate access of those outside of school to the school building.
Activities program and community education programs may be discontinued at the impacted buildings for a period of time.
Community gatherings such as school carnivals, sports events, etc. may be discontinued at affected sites.
Superintendent may limit or discontinue field trips.
School program continues normally
Schools take precautions to separate groups of students as much as possible.

Sustained, Widespread Outbreak Leads to School Closings

School closures may be necessary due to too many students absent and/or not enough healthy adults to safely operate the building and provide a quality school experience for students.
In the event of a complete closure of a building, students and most staff will be asked to stay home. Education program stops.
All co-curricular and community education activities will cease.

Issues Surrounding School or District Closure Due to H1N1 Flu

Education Program Delivery - At the present time, closure of a school will result in the cessation of all program delivery until the building re-opens. The district does not have the capacity and will not have the resources to create a temporary delivery mechanism for the period of the closure.
Make Up Days - It is likely that students enrolled in schools that are closed will be expected to make up any lost days, either later in the year or at the end of the school year in June, similar to what would happen in the event of closure due to other emergencies.
Special Education Students - The prescribed educational needs of special education students are contained in their Individual Education Plan (IEP). If they are enrolled in a school that closes due to H1N1 flu, decisions on appropriate continuation of service will be made on a case-by-case basis relative to each student's individual needs and disability as described in the IEP.
Services to Non-Public Schools - If non-public schools remain open, District 112 will continue to provide routine services to those schools, whether or not District 112 schools are still open.