How DCPS is Handling H1N1 Flu 

Steps to Reduce the Spread of Flu in DC Public Schools

We are taking steps to reduce the spread of flu in DC Public Schools by following the guidance provided by the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the DC Department of Health, and our citywide plan. We want to keep the schools open, and students learning during this flu season. We are working closely with the Mayor’s Office and the DC Department of Health to monitor flu conditions and make decisions about the best steps to take concerning our schools.

We will continue to update you with new information through this page and through your child’s school. If you are a parent it is important to make sure you provide up to date contact information to your child’s school in case you need to be contacted.

H1N1 Clinics Now Available

The Department of Health is offering free H1N1 vaccines to children, pregnant women and other priority groups through citywide immunization clinics in all wards. More information, including a list of clinic locations and hours, is available at the DOH's special flu website.

What We Are Doing Now

- Sending sick students, teachers, and staff home and advising them to stay at home until at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever or signs of a fever.

- Ensuring all schools have enough soap, paper towels and other cleaning materials

- Ensuring all schools continue to clean surfaces like door knobs, keyboards and desks that are more likely to have frequent hand contact more frequently

- Making sure, through training and guidance, that every principal has a plan and support in place in case of an emergency

- Making sure principals, nurses and other key staff understand the citywide plan developed in coordination with the DC Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency and the DC Department of Health

How Parents and Others Can Prevent the Spread of Flu

Flu can easily spread from person to person. Here are several ways in which you can help to prevent the spread of flu:

• Know the signs and symptoms of the flu
  Symptoms of the flu include fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit/37.8 degrees Celsius or greater), cough, sore throat, a runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, and feeling very tired. Some people may also vomit or have diarrhea.
  
• Stay home if you are sick
  DCPS and DOH recommend that students or staff with flu-like symptoms stay at home for at least 24 hours after they no longer have fever or do not have signs of fever, without using fever-reducing drugs. Staying at home with a fever will reduce the number of people who may get infected. Students who are sick should not participate in any school activity, in school after care, or in the community except to seek medical care. Any children who show symptoms of flu while at school will be sent home.
  
• Cover your cough and wash your hands
  In order to protect yourself and others it is important to practice healthy hygiene habits. Some of these include covering your coughs and sneezes with tissues (and disposing of them properly) or with elbows when tissue is unavailable and avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth to prevent spreading germs. You should wash your hands often with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub. You should never share personal items like drinks, food or unwashed utensils.

More Information on Preventing the Spread of Flu

Links

• Action Steps for Parents to Protect Your Child and Family from the Flu this School Year
• What To Do If You Get Flu-Like Symptoms
• Letter to Parents about H1N1
• Letter to Teachers about H1N1
• Letter to Principals about H1N1

Additional Resources

• Hand washing lesson plan for grades PreK through 2
• Hand washing lesson plan for grades 3 through 5
• Hand washing lesson plan for secondary grades
  
• Sesame Street Videos Teaching Children to Practice Good Habits
  
• District of Columbia Department of Health (DOH) H1N1 Information
• U.S. Government H1N1 Information
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) H1N1 Information

Healthy Habits

• Healthy Habits: English
• Healthy Habits: Spanish
• Healthy Habits: French
• Healthy Habits: Chinese
• Healthy Habits: Vietnamese

Cover Your Cough

• Cover your Cough: English
• Cover Your Cough: Spanish
• Cover your Cough: French
• Cover Your Cough: Chinese
• Cover Your Cough: Vietnamese
• Cover Your Cough: Amharic

For More Information

For more information, visit the DC Emergency and Safety Alliance website. Also, visit DOH for the most current news about influenza in the District and www.flu.gov for national information.