Click here for dates of H1N1 Vaccination Clinics - New dates added, Vaccine now available to healthy adults

As reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization, we have been experiencing a pandemic of the H1N1 Flu Virus, also known as swine flu.  It is has always been, and will always be, our top priority to protect the safety and health of our students, staff and community.  To that end, we have taken the following steps to help prevent the spread of germs in our schools during this H1N1 flu pandemic:

• Hand sanitizers, antibacterial wipes, and tissues are available in each classroom

• Staff has been asked to remind students on the importance of washing hands with soap and water, and covering coughs.

• Posters have been hung in bathrooms and around the high schools emphasizing the importance of hand washing and the covering of coughs.

• Our custodial staff is also paying special attention to disinfecting commonly used areas such as drinking fountains, toilet handles, door handles, cafeteria tables, etc.

H1N1 Flu Symptoms and Reporting Absences

Symptoms of the H1N1 flu virus are similar to those of the regular seasonal flu.  To protect the health of fellow students, please keep your child home if he/she is experiencing any of the following flu symptoms:

• Fever over 100 degrees, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue.  Some people may also have vomiting and diarrhea.

When you report your child absent to the attendance office, it will be helpful if you will state whether your child is out sick due to flu-like symptoms.  This practice will help our school health office monitor any potential H1N1 flu cases. 

The North Hunterdon-Voorhees Regional High School District will be following the CDC guideline which states that students who experience flu-like symptoms should not return to school unless they have been free of fever for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication, such as Tylenol.

Policy on Absences

In light of the current H1N1 flu pandemic, schools have been asked by the Hunterdon County Executive Superintendent of Schools and the Hunterdon County Health Department to temporarily amend their attendance/absence policy regarding the need for a doctor's note to allow the absence to be considered excused. In our current policy (#5200 Attendance), we require a note from a doctor, lawyer, dentist, etc. when the child returns to school if you would like your child's absence to be counted as an excused absence. 

We will accept the following Return to School Note (click here to print out the note and please use only this note) signed by a parent in lieu of a doctor's note ONLY during this H1N1 flu pandemic and ONLY if your child is out of school due to flu-like symptoms (fever over 100 degrees, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, fatigue, and possibly vomiting and diarrhea). 

RETURN TO SCHOOL NOTE FOR FLU-LIKE ILLNESS

Please note: this Return to School Note is not mandatory.  This note only needs to be completed if you would like your child's absence to be considered excused if the child had flu-like symptoms. While we will accept this new form in lieu of a doctor's note, we highly recommend that if you suspect your child may have the H1N1 flu to please contact your family physician.

Once the child returns to school after being out with flu-like symptoms, he/she is to report to the attendance office with the note and will then be directed to the nurse's office.  The nurse will take the child's temperature and if it is under 100 degrees, the child will be allowed to return to school.  If it is over 100 degrees, the child will need to be sent home.

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News on H1N1 Flu

As new information is reported on the H1N1 flu virus, we will provide important links and information below.  Additional material is available through the links on the right.

Websites:

Center for Disease Control (CDC) - http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/

State of New Jersey H1N1 Website - http://www.nj.gov/health/flu/h1n1

Hunterdon County Health Department - http://www.co.hunterdon.nj.us/health.htm

Hotlines:

The State of New Jersey is operating a toll-free public information hotline on weekdays from 9AM to 5PM.  The hotline number is 866-321-9571.

Hunterdon County Health Department has a call center open for questions - 908-237-7150.

Letters/Media Releases:

Drop in H1N1 vaccine demand concerns Hunterdon Health Officials - dated 12-3-09

Letter to parents from Superintendent regarding attendance policy - dated 10-2-09

Letter to parents from Superintendent - dated 8-26-09

Letter from Director of Hunterdon County Health Department regarding swine flu vaccine - dated 8-24-09

News:

Technical Report for State and Local Public Health Officials and School Administrators on CDC Guidance for School (K-12) Responses to Influenza during the 2009-2010 School Year (8-7-09)

CDC recommendations for the amount of time persons with influenza-like illness should be away from others (8-5-09)

Q&A for Novel H1N1 Influenza Vaccine

Materials on H1N1 Flu:

From Hunterdon County Health Department:

• School-Flu Brochure

• H1N1 Flu Advisory to Parents - dated 9-10-09

• When To Consult Your Doctor For Flu-Like Illness

From Centers for Disease Control & Prevention:

• 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?