Montgomery Public Schools

Montgomery Public Schools is working with the county Health Department and the state Department of Education to monitor flu cases in our area and to ensure schools are taking every possible precaution to help students stay healthy.

You and your children could be exposed to both seasonal influenza (flu) and H1N1 influenza (known as swine flu). In a school environment, children are likely to come in contact with others who have been exposed to a virus that could result in the cold or the flu. There are four very important steps you and your children can take to minimize your risks of becoming ill with the flu.

1. Wash hands frequently and thoroughly, especially after you cough or sneeze. Washing your hands is considered the best way to kill the virus on your hands. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol based hand sanitizer. Montgomery Public School teachers are working with your children to help them keep their hands clean.

2. When coughing or sneezing, please cover your mouth with a tissue or sleeve. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. Tissue should be sent to school with your child if needed.

3. Stay home from work, and keep your children home from school when you or they are sick. Children with flu symptoms (especially accompanied by a fever of 100 degrees or higher) need to remain home until they are free from fever for 24 hours without the use of medication.

4. Schedule an appointment or attend a clinic where you and your children can receive your flu shots. When the H1N1 vaccine is available, students will have the opportunity to receive it at school at no cost. Permission slips will be sent home a few days before the clinics begin.   

It is important to keep sick children isolated from others. You should have a plan for how your child will be cared for at home if they are ill with flu for a week or more.  Students who stay home due to flu-like symptoms do not require a doctor’s note upon returning to school. The student should return to school with a note from their parent/guardian indicating they were home ill in order for the absences to be excused. However, students may not return to school until they have been free of fever for at least 24 hours without using fever-reducing medication such as acetaminophen (Tylenol).

Influenza can be a serious illness and cases of more severe illness in the future may occur. If you or your child have a chronic medical condition, such as lung disease (including asthma), heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, a compromised immune system or cancer, or are pregnant, please call your medical provider if you’ve been exposed to the flu so that they can advise you about any additional preventive steps to take. 

MPS is taking extra precautions when cleaning and sanitizing restrooms, drinking fountains, locker rooms, classrooms and other common areas. Teachers are also reminding students to wash their hands often and use the hand sanitizers that are available in every school. With your help, we may be able to reduce the impact of the flu in our area.

For more information about seasonal flu and H1N1, you can visit one of the websites below, or call the flu hotline at 1-877-377-7285 Monday – Friday from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Centers for Disease Control  http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/

Alabama Department of Health  http://www.adph.org/h1n1flu/