Adams School News

Our next baby contest begins on Monday. Try to guess the faculty, staff, coaches, and board members and be entered into a raffle for a chance to win an Adams School tee-shirt. Parents are welcome to guess too!

Parent/Teacher conferences are coming up (days/times are varied pending teacher's availability). Please contact the school to schedule an appt. Report cards will be going home on Monday.

The Adams School holiday concert is on Thursday, 12/15 @ 6:00 PM in Delano Auditorium, MMA.

We are having SMORGS on Wednesday Dec. 21 from 12:00-2:00 PM. If you would like to host a Smorg, there are sign-up sheets in the office, due by Friday Dec. 16.

Lunch Menu Week of December 12-16

Monday: Cheesy Chicken Pasta Bake, Whole Wheat Yeast Rolls, Broccoli, Fruit, and Milk.

Tuesday: Tacos, Salad, Muffin, Fruit, and Milk.

Wednesday: Fish Sticks, Noodles, Mixed Veggies, Fruit, and Milk.

Thursday: Pizza on Whole Wheat Crust, Salad, Goldfish, Jello with Fruit, and Milk.

Friday: Christmas Dinner-Roast Beef, Gravy, Mashed Potato, Carrots, Whole Wheat Rolls, Brownie Parfaits, and Milk.

Information from Nurse Nancy

Influenza

Definition Role of the School Nurse Signs and Symptoms Treatment Recommendations Transmission Exclusions/Reporting Requirements Diagnosis Resources

Definition: Influenza (the flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and can lead to death. Several strains of influenza may circulate at the same time. The most commonly seen strains of influenza are: influenza A/H1, influenza A/H3 and influenza B.

Signs and symptoms: Symptoms of Influenza include a fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, muscle or body aches, headaches and fatigue. Vomiting and diarrhea are more common in children than adults.

Transmission: Influenza is transmitted from person to person mainly by droplets when people with the flu cough, sneeze or talk. It is also possible to get the flu from touching a surface that has flu virus on it, and then touching your own mouth or nose. Most people may be able to infect others up to 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5-7 days after becoming sick. Average incubation period is 2 days.

Diagnosis: Influenza-like illness (ILI) is defined as a fever greater than 100° with a cough and/or sore throat. Influenza virus is diagnosed through a laboratory test. The most common types of tests available are:
• Rapid tests – quick turn-around (usually 20 minutes), but may have false positives and false negatives. Some rapid tests can distinguish between A and B strains, but cannot difference the sub type. • PCR (Nasal Swab Blood Test) longer turn-around time (usually around 48 hours) but has very few false positives or false negatives. PCR can distinguish between A and B strains, and some labs can sub type the influenza A sample to determine if they are H1 or H3. Sub typing takes additional time to complete.

Role of the School Nurse: Prevention • Vaccination – influenza requires an annual vaccination (nasal/injectable – recommendations). The flu vaccine always contains 3 strains including an influenza A/H1, influenza A/H3 and an influenza B strain. The strains included may change every year. Not all years will have a good match between the circulating strains and the strains included in the vaccine. School vaccine toolkit available at http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/boh/maineflu/h1n1/educators.shtml#schoolclinics. • Provide training and resources for staff and students on the following: (link for posters here) o Hand washing o Respiratory etiquette (covering cough) o Staying home when ill

Treatment Recommendations

• Antiviral treatment for influenza is available and is most effective if started within 48 hours. (http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/antivirals/index.htm). • Prophylaxis can be used for high risk contacts of cases of influenza. • Follow local policy or MECDC recommendation exclusions.

Exclusions

• Students and staff with influenza or ILI should be excluded until at least 24 hours after symptoms resolve. • It is recommended that any child with a fever of 100° or greater without antiemetic should be excluded, please follow your individual schools guidelines. * (cite US CDC guidelines in resources.)

Reporting Requirements

• Individual cases of influenza are not reportable. • Any sudden increase of ILI (within a classroom, wing etc) should be considered a potential outbreak and should be reported. • If your school has greater than 15% absenteeism this should be reported through the Maine Education Data Management System 15% absentee application. If the majority of symptoms are respiratory – this will be considered an ILI outbreak.

Resources: • Maine DOE website www.maine.gov/education/sh • Maine CDC influenza website (including fact sheet) www.maineflu.gov • Influenza Posters http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/boh/Flu%20Posters.htm • Weekly Influenza Surveillance Reports http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/boh/influenza_surveillance_weekly_updates.shtml • School-based Vaccine Clinic Information http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/boh/maineflu/h1n1/educators.shtml#schoolclinics • Federal CDC Influenza website http://www.cdc.gov/flu • MEDMS training webinar http://www.maine.gov/tools/whatsnew/index.php?topic=SLDS_sessions&id=93352&v=Article

Have a great weekend!

Katie and Elaine