Marfa Independent School District -

The links listed below provide valuable information regarding pandemic flu, bloodborne pathogens, meningitis and HPV.

http://flu.gov

http://www.texasflu.org

http://www.cdc.gov

Texas Department of State Health Services – What You Need to Know About Pandemic Flu Key Points

Bloodborne Pathogens fact sheet

Meningococcal Vaccine Information Sheet

HPV information sheet

HPV info sheet – Spanish

The State of Texas has announced the following changes regarding immunization requirements for students in grades K-12. Please review the following letter provided by the Department of State Health Services and make sure that your child is vaccinated prior to the beginning of the next school year. The vaccines can be obtained at the local Department of State Health Services. Please call their local number.

Below you will find the Texas State Requirements for immunizations. Please review to ensure that your child is up to date with his or her vaccines. You can obtain immunizations at the Department of State Health Services. Please call the local office to schedule your child’s vaccine(s).

• Texas Minimum State Vaccine Requirements

Please read the following regarding medications given at school and when to keep a sick child home. If you need to send medications to school, please complete the attached permission slip. Thank you.

• Should I Keep My Child Home From School

• Administration of Prescription Medication

• Administration of Non-Prescription Medication

• Allergy Letter to Parents

• Allergy Form

• MISD is practicing infection control. Staff will be encouraged to teach and use proper hand washing techniques and cough etiquette. We will continue to ensure that our schools and buildings are clean and commonly touched surfaces such as door knobs, desks, restrooms, computer keyboards, are cleaned often with an approved disinfectant.

• Posters regarding proper hand-washing are posted in all bathrooms.

• Staff and students who are ill will be sent home. Staff and students are to stay home until they are fever-free for at last 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication (for example: Tylenol, Motrin).

• Seasonal and H1N1 flu vaccines will be encouraged for students and staff. The seasonal flu vaccination is now available and should be obtained as soon as possible from your healthcare provider or health department, if recommended by your physician.

Parents, you can help us by:

• Teach your children to wash their hands often with soap and water.

• Teach your children not to share personal items like drinks, food, or unwashed utensils.

• Teach your children to cover their coughs and sneezes with a tissue or to cough or sneeze into the inside of their elbow.

• Know the signs and symptoms of the flu: fever (100.4 degrees Fahrenheit and higher), cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headaches, and feeling very tired.

• Keep sick children at home for at least 24 hours after they no longer have fever.

• Do not send children to school if they are sick.

Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our children and our school healthy.