March 25th - April 5th

Our school district is responding to the current flu season that is affecting our community. Some schools in our district are now experiencing an increase in reported cases of influenza like illnesses. The Los Angeles County Health Department tells us that healthy children can continue to attend school.

To keep the flu from spreading at school, we ask you to keep sick children home. Any children who are sick at school will be sent home.

We want you to protect yourself and your family against the flu. Here are some ways to prevent the spread of illness and take care of your family.

• 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.

• Keep sick children 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. Keeping children with a fever at home will reduce the number of people who may get infected.

• Do not send children to school if they are sick. Any children who are determined to be sick while at school will be sent home.

• Teach your children to wash their hands often with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub. You can set a good example by doing this yourself.

• Teach your children not to share personal items like drinks, food or unwashed utensils, and to cover their coughs and sneezes with tissues. Instruct your children to cover up their coughs or sneezes using the elbow, arm or sleeve instead of the hand when a tissue is unavailable.

• Vaccine is available to private physicians and pharmacies. We encourage you to contact your personal health care provider for advice regarding a vaccination for your child.

For more information, you may visit www.flu.gov, www.publichealth.lacounty.gov