Newcomerstown Schools will be closed beginning Monday, December 21, 2009 through Friday, January 1, 2010.  Classes will resume on Monday, January 4, 2010.  Have a safe holiday break and Merry Christmas.

Due to the heightened awareness about H1N1 we have been taking extra precautions to help fight the spread of germs in the school system. At this time we have no confirmed cases of H1N1. We have stepped up disinfections of the buildings. If your child has a fever please keep them home at least 24 hrs. after they have been fever free without medication. If they have siblings that also go to school and they do not have a fever then they should attend school. We have been in contact with the Tuscarawas County Health Dept. and are reporting our numbers daily. The CDC, Ohio Dept. of Health, and Tuscarawas County Dept. of Health have encouraged school districts not to close school. Please encourage your child to wash their hands frequently. We are monitoring the situation closely and will strive to do what is best for your children. If you have additional questions please contact the school nurse.

The following information is what PARENTS AND SCHOOLS can do to work together to  recognize and balance the risks of illness among students and staff with the benefits of keeping students in school.

BASIC RULE #1

Based on current flu conditions, students and staff with flu-like illness should stay home until at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever or signs of a fever.  This should be determined WITHOUT the use of fever-reducing medications (any medicine that contains ibuprofen or acetaminophen).  EXAMPLE:  Your child is sick in the night with a fever over 100 F.  Your give them a fever reducer.  The fever comes down by 7:00 am. to 99.

DO NOT SEND THEM TO SCHOOL IF IT TOOK A FEVER REDUCER TO BRING THE FEVER DOWN.  THEY ARE STILL CONTAGEOUS AND SHOULD STAY HOME UNTIL THE FEVER IS BELOW 100 F  FOR 24 HOURS WITH OUT FEVER REDUCERS!

BASIC RULE  #2

Practice good hand hygiene.  Students and staff members should wash their hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing.  Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective if they contain 60% alcohol, but use soap and water if available. Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds is the best way to keep your hands from spreading the virus. Our school is conducting training sessions with the students to encourage good hand hygiene.

BASIC RULE  #3

Practice respiratory etiquette.  The main way that the flu spreads is from person to person in the droplets produced by coughs and sneezes, so it's important to cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.  If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow or shoulder, not into your hands.  Then WASH YOUR HANDS.

The CDC high encourages parents to consider the vaccination of all children from 5 yrs to 24  years.  Each parent needs to weigh the advantages of prevention against the risks of complications.

FOR ADDITIONAL AND DETAILED INFORMATION ON THE H1N1  FLU, VISIT www.flu.gov.