AMBE DEVELOPS INFECTIOUS DISEASE PROTOCOLS SPECIFIC TO INFLUENZA (H1N1)

October 27, 2009- Akwesasne - The Ahkwesahsne Mohawk Board of Education (AMBE) has implemented several measures to decrease the spread of infectious diseases, specifically a potential outbreak of H1N1. AMBE believes that prevention of infectious disease is the responsibility of every one.

All AMBE staff will take steps necessary to ensure the safety and well being of students is protected.

Each school will monitor student attendance and report absences due to influenza-like symptoms to the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne (MCA) Department of Health. In conjunction with the MCA Department of Health, the Director of Education / Associate Director will monitor district-wide student and staff absences. A rate of absence greater than 10% will warrant discussion about next steps

As previously announced, AMBE purchased hand sanitizers, gloves and face masks for all schools as preventive measures to protect our students and staff from the HIN1 virus. As well, custodial staff will be performing daily sanitizing of all classrooms and all buses will be disinfected. Further, administrative staff will be screening student and staff attendance throughout the upcoming school year to monitor any potential outbreak from H1N1.

While regular attendance is important for student achievement, AMBE will not be focusing on individual perfect attendance this school year. When your child is sick, it is important to keep them at home. If your child comes to school sick, particularly with flu like symptoms, school personnel will call parents and/or guardians to come and pick them up. In order to prevent a widespread outbreak, it is important that other students exposed.

Each of the schools will also be reporting student absences due to influenza like symptoms to the Department of Health on a daily basis As part of this monitoring process, your child’s name, contact numbers and symptoms will be reported. A Community Health Nurse (CHN) may contact you to discuss your child’s symptoms and to offer advice and answer any questions that you may have about the flu. You may also contact the school directly to report the absence and indicate your child’s specific symptoms. It is important that during this time, that all absences are recorded at the school and reported to the CHNs

As parents, it is important to keep your child(ren) home when they arc sick, particularly if they exhibit symptoms of influenza. In the event that you have to pick up your child due to illness please pick up your child immediately to prevent potential outbreaks. When picking up your child, report directly to the school office. It is also suggested to make every effort to leave your infants and/or toddlers at home if you have to come to school.

For further information, please contact Barry M. Montour, Director of Education.