Parent/Guardian:

I trust you are doing well and that your child is doing well in school this year. I am writing this letter regarding the H1N1 (Swine) Flu that all of us are hearing so much about on the television, radio, and other news media. Recently your child brought home a brochure providing some helpful tips for parents to better prepare against H1N1 Virus. The following information should also be helpful as well.

Here are some ways to protect your family:

- Keep children who are sick at home. Don’t send them to school.
- Teach your children to wash hands a lot with soap and water for 20 seconds. Be sure to set a good example by doing this yourself.
- Teach your children to cover coughs and sneezes with tissues or by coughing into the inside of the elbow. Be sure to set a good example by doing this yourself.
- Teach your children to stay at least three feet away from people who are sick.
- People who are sick should stay home from work or school and avoid other people until they are better.

If you have questions, please contact one of the following:

• Clay County Schools Nurse, Connie Harper   (304) 587-4099
• Clay County High School Wellness Center   (304) 587-2867 Mon, Wed, Thur, 8-3
• Clay County Middle School Wellness Center (304) 587-4375 Tues, Fri, 8-12
• Clay Elementary School Wellness Center    (304) 587-6064 Mon, 8-2:30 Wed, & Thur, 8-12
• Big Otter Elementary School Wellness Center (304) 286-2838 Tues 8-12 & Thur
• Clay County Health Department (304)587-4269

Additional resources, including the brochure we sent home last week are available from the following:

• The federal government website: http://www.pandemicflu.gov
• American Red Cross Website http://www.redcross.org
• Center for Disease Control Website: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/

I hope to provide additional, updated information as it becomes available. Thank you very much for your time and attention.

Sincerely,

Larry Gillespie, Superintendent