Watertown Public Schools
30 Common Street, Watertown MA 02472
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Watertown Public Schools is working very closely with the Watertown Health Department and the Massachusetts Department of Health (MDPH) to make sure we are following the most up to date guidance from the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). All recommended precautionary procedures are being followed.
This letter is to clear up any confusion related to students who exhibit 'flu-like' symptoms,beginning at school or at home. The department of health has advised the following: "Adults and children with fever and one of the following: cough, sore throat or runny nose, should stay home from work or school for at least 7 days from the onset of illness (or 24 hours after the end of illness if symptoms persist longer). They should not return to work or school before the end of the exclusion period even if asymptomatic because viral shedding can continue for 7 days."
A health care provider's note recommending a child return to school before the end of the full exclusion period does not supercede the public health guidance during this outbreak. However, individuals who have recovered from influenza-like illness do not need to be "cleared" by a health care provider before returning to work or school after the end of their 7 day exclusion period.
We completely understand any concerns related to work and school attendance during this time. Please know that our intent is to follow the guidelines issued by the state's public health department. Although the virus itself is mild, its contagiousness poses a problem to school operation. Should a number of students and staff become ill at one time, it impairs the ability of the school to continue business as usual for all. Should a physician determine, and be able to report to the school, that a fever and related symptoms are from something other than flu, i.e. strep, etc. then our usual protocol of "fever free for 24 hours" will apply.
It is important to stress that like all communities the virus is likely circulating in the greater Watertown community. It is also important to recognize that families and students have rights to privacy that do not allow us to share specifics. Further, if we experience additional cases we will follow the latest protocols from the Department of Health and the CDC. Further updates will follow only if there is a significant change that affects the day to day operation of school. Below is the latest information which has not changed from the previous massage.
Information from Massachusetts Department of Public Health
Watertown Public Schools are working very closely with the Watertown Health Department and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) to make sure we are following the most up to date guidance from the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). MDPH, in accordance with CDC, does not recommend parents keeping their children home from school - even if that school has a confirmed case of H1N1 Flu.
The reasons for not closing schools are:
- Whether or not there is a confirmed case in our community or our school, the virus is likely circulating in the community.
- CDC and DPH do not feel it's necessary to close schools, even with a confirmed case of H1N1, because observations suggest that H1N1 isn't any more severe than a regular seasonal flu
- Because there is currently no vaccine to protect against this virus, it is especially important to follow prevention measures indicated below.
It is important to take common sense precautions to protect you and your family.
- Wash hands frequently
- Practice cough etiquette.
- Use a tissue, or cough into your sleeve if you don't have a tissue.
- Reinforce this message with your children.
Watertown Public Schools have implemented the following steps in our schools:
- School nurses, in conjunction with the Watertown Health Department, are monitoring absenteeism in children and staff to determine if absence is due to influenza-like illness.
- If a child or staff member presents with upper respiratory symptoms and fever he/she would be dismissed from school and advised to contact their medical provider.
- Teachers remind students to wash hands throughout the day and to use cough etiquette.
- Parents can assist by reinforcing handwashing and cough etiquette at home.
- Parents are advised to keep a child who has a flu-like illness home from school for at least 7 days from the onset of illness (or 24 hours after the end of illness if symptoms persist longer). They should not return to school before the end of the exclusion period even if asymptomatic.
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