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New Immunization Law will go into effect with the beginning of the 2011-2012 school year.
I am mailing letters home with these updated changes. Please contact your child's family physician to see
if your child has received these updated vaccines. If they do not have these shots please make arrangements with your family
physician or contact the Pennsylvania Department of Health at 724-627-3168 to schedule an appointment. Records should be
sent to me as soon as possible in order for me to update your child's health file.
Please do not wait until school starts in the fall of 2011 as this may result in refusal of your child's admission
to school.

With the start of school, head lice seems to be a health concern. Please refer to the attention page for information on proper ways to remove head lice from your child's head and your home.

Flu is also a concern with the starting of school. See information below for universal precautions used in the prevention of any contagious disease and review them with your child.

The following information has been distributed to all employees and students have been instructed as to proper procedures.

The PA Pandemic Planning Toolkit for Schools provides a variety of educational materials for schools to use related to handwashing and cough/sneeze hygiene. http://www.pandemicflu.state.pa.us/pandemicflu/lib/pandemicflu/ToolkitTemplateandResourcesApril2008.pdf

These basic principles include:

Coughing or sneezing into the bend of your elbow or a tissue;

Proper disposal of used tissues;

Washing your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and warm water;

Using an alcohol-based (at least 60 %) hand sanitizer;

Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth,

If you are sick with flu-like symptoms, stay home and call your family doctor /PCP

This information and any updates will be posted on the Division of School Health website, under �What�s New with School Health.� www.health.state.pa.us/schoolhealth