Recommendations for Preventing the Spread
of Pandemic Influenza in the Schools

The guidelines below are general infection control measures aimed toward preventing the spread of infection in the workplace.  Additional guidance from management may be necessary based on the situation. 

Infection control in these settings should focus on keeping workers away while they are infectious and promoting respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette and
hand hygiene, as with any respiratory infection. 

The world is at heightened risk of experiencing a flu pandemic (worldwide outbreak) because of the potential that the H5N1 bird flu virus, currently widespread and deadly among poultry in Southeast Asia, Europe and Africa, could change into a form that would spread easily from human to human.  If a pandemic were to occur, it would spread around the world very quickly and, because humans would have virtually no immunity to this strain of flu, it would cause many people to become quite sick and potentially die.
 

• True to its values, Pittsylvania County Schools is taking steps to protect its employees and students and to help prevent any disruptions to operations in the event of a flu pandemic.

  • By all accounts, no amount of planning will prevent the severe human health problems associated with pandemic flu.

  • Pittsylvania County Schools’ preparedness plans aim to minimize the distress a pandemic could cause for its employees and students and for its operations.

The Superintendent and Assistant Superintendents are building plans in response to the risk of pandemic flu.  These plans include:

Superintendent

• Assure that the Pandemic Flu Plan includes timelines, deliverables and performance measures

• Plan and coordinate activities and draft a Pandemic Flu Plan

• Determine the criteria that will be used to close schools and the methods used to communicate school closing

• Educate parents about the Pandemic Flu Plan

• Determine how to manage and respond to the media

• Determine how the school district will handle transfers and enrollment issues

• Apprise the School Board of the Pandemic Flu Plan 

Administration

• Assure that the Pandemic Flu Plan includes timelines, deliverables and performance measures

• Develop a component to address pandemic flu in the Crisis Management Plan

• Determine absentee policies for students and staff affected by pandemic flu

• Determine who will transport sick children

• Develop a framework and suggested practice drills for schools to utilize in the case of a pandemic flu emergency

Business

• Assure that the Pandemic Flu Plan includes timelines, deliverables and performance measures

• Determine if Pittsylvania County Schools will pay full salaries for staff should school be closed for flu pandemic

• Determine how schools will be utilized during a flu pandemic

• Determine how schools will store food and water if a school is quarantined and students/staff are required to remain at school

• Ensure that the schools are stocked with proper supplies that promote good hygiene (soap, sanitizer, paper towels, etc.)

• Ensure that custodial staff understands the importance of proper cleaning and sanitation practices

• Determine what schools can do to provide low income children with meals

• Develop a plan to disseminate payroll to staff during a flu pandemic

• Determine how the AlertNow system might be used to provide regular updates to parents and staff regarding a flu pandemic

Human Resources

• Assure that the Pandemic Flu Plan includes timelines, deliverables and performance measures

• Develop a plan for staff reduction due to illness that will allow for continuous quality operations

• Determine how to deal with grief issues and loss of life

• Determine how the school division will be sensitive to diverse populations in crisis planning

Technology

• Assure that the Pandemic Flu Plan includes timelines, deliverables and performance measures

• Determine how the website can be used to support and communicate emergency procedures and up-to-date and reliable pandemic flu information from federal, State and local health services

• Develop a data base for tracking student and staff absences

• Develop a plan to utilize technology to continue educating students when schools are closed

• Test the linkages between the district’s incident command system and the local/State health departments and State education department incident command system

Instruction

• Assure that the Pandemic Flu Plan includes timelines, deliverables and performance measures

• Determine how schools will deal with lost instructional time and maintain continuity

• Determine a protocol that will address “Perfect Attendance” when students are out of school during a flu pandemic

• Determine a response for the interruption of SOL testing during a flu pandemic

• Determine how the school division will meet the needs of seniors (SATs, graduation)

• Determine how the school calendar will be impacted during a flu pandemic

• Incorporate into the Pandemic Flu Plan how the school division will meet the requirements of students who do not speak English as their first language

• Determine the effects of pandemic flu on the scheduling of extra-curricular activities in schools

Support Services

• Assure that the Pandemic Flu Plan includes timelines, deliverables and performance measures

• Educate school/division staff about pandemic flu

• Ensure that Purel^® gel will be made available in all classrooms

• Determine how the school nurse will deal with children sent to school with the flu

• Determine guidelines that provide support for schools in terms of school attendance for the sick

• Determine what medical supplies will be made available in case children are not allowed to go home

• Provide parents with prevention information and educate parents on when not to send students to school

• Maintain ongoing communication with the health department by providing daily reports on attendance and reasons for absences

• Incorporate into the Pandemic Flu Plan how the school division will meet the requirements of special needs students

• Determine how the school division might provide psychological support for staff, students and their families during and after a pandemic flu attack

• Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly (15 seconds or more)

• Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze, preferably with a tissue, and wash hands immediately afterward

• Do not share cups, silverware, towels or bedding with anyone in your home until washed with soap and hot water

• Try to avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth, especially if cold symptoms seem to be going around

• Stay home from school if you are ill

• Use the information and services available through Pittsylvania County Schools to understand and protect yourself in the event of a flu pandemic or any other disease outbreak or emergency situation