St. Joseph’s Primary School
Prevention of the Spread of Influenza in Schools
Arrangements for School Resumption after Easter Holidays

Dear Parents,

Please pay attention to the following arrangements for school resumption:
1. According to the announcement of the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH), Hong Kong has entered its peak season for influenza since mid-February. The circulating viruses are all seasonal influenza viruses that are commonly found in other parts of the world over the past few months and it is expected that the influenza situation will persist for a period of time this year. Having assessed the situation and examined the latest development, the Education Bureau (EDB) and DH are of the view that the influenza infection situation has become stable, and have thus decided that schools should resume classes on or after 31 March 2008.

Our school will resume school on 31 March 2008 (Monday)

2. We have cleansed and disinfected our school premises during the Easter holidays, and will urge staff and students to pay attention to personal and environmental hygiene.

3. It is incumbent upon all of us to prevent the spread of influenza. To safeguard students’ health, parents are urged to maintain a hygienic household, and co-operate with us by reminding students to observe personal hygiene and keep schools hygienic. In this connection, you are kindly requested to take the following measures:

• Do not send children to school if they have fever.
• Inform school immediately if children are sick or have been admitted to hospital for surveillance.
• Keep sick children at home until symptoms have improved and fever has subsided. Then, take rest for at least 2 more days before returning to school.
• To minimize the risks of students and staff being infected, parents are advised not to hand in and collect homework for their sons during their resting period at home.
• Co-operate with schools by picking up children not feeling well from school and consulting the doctor immediately.
• Provide children with handkerchiefs or tissue papers and remind them not to share towels or tissue papers with others.
• Before sending children to school, measure their body temperature, record the reading and sign the temperature record sheet, which should be handed to the school every day.

4. We have also urgedthe drivers of school buses and escorts not to drive/board these vehicles if they run a fever or have any flu symptoms.

5. We would like to appeal to parents for collaboration in order to maintain a clean and healthy living environment. Please also remind your children to pay attention to personal hygiene and to take influenza-preventive measures.

Principal & Headmistress of SJPS
27th March 2008