School Board Agenda Materials – May 5, 2009
Influenza A – H1N1 (Formerly “Swine Flu”)
Planning & Response
· Pandemic Flu Planning is a component of Crisis Management Planning & Procedures that have been in place for a number of years.
· BCPS Crisis Management Resources have been moved to a web-based format, though will continue to exist in printed format.
· BCPS participates in the Bath County Local Emergency Planning Committee.
· The Virginia Department of Health is the lead organization in regard to H1N1 flu planning & response, with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
· Division staff have been in close contact with local and state health officials in the last week, including multiple meetings and conference calls coordinated by the Virginia Department of Health.
· The Virginia Department of Education is providing additional support and coordination for school divisions.
· Schools are taking additional measures to prevent spread of infection, including education of staff and students (direct instruction, poster reminders, web site information, etc.), encouraging frequent hand washing and caution with sneezing, more thorough cleaning of school facilities, and communications to parents.
· Schools are recording student and staff absence information as baseline data for health officials to help determine possible future outbreak levels.
· In the event of a confirmed case in our area, schools will likely close for a couple of weeks, under the guidance of the Virginia Department of Health. If no additional cases are confirmed, the VDH may recommend that local officials consider reopening schools. Depending on the level of infection, it is possible that schools may be unable to open for a number of weeks or even a few months.
· If schools are closed, the division will activate all lines of communication possible with staff and families to help ensure continuity of instruction where possible. Telephone calls, School Messenger notifications, local radio and newspaper, email, website postings and public television will be used to keep staff and families informed.
· If schools are closed, division administration will make provisions for continuity of essential administrative services including payroll, accounts payable, communication, technology and maintenance.
· As schools are identified shelters in the county’s emergency plans, the division will cooperate with local and state authorities to help keep school division facilities available for emergency use.
· In case of pervasive staff illness, the division may implement modified employee leave procedures after consultation with the Virginia Department of Education and other organizations.