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H1N1 (Swine) Flu Resources and Information

The health and safety of students is paramount during times of potential crises. Students and their families are best served when school districts have both an action plan and a communication plan for such times.

Please use this toolkit to learn more about H1N1 epidemic, how to plan for crises and how to communicate to staff and community. Keeping everyone informed helps the community feel better about student safety.

Stay tuned to this Web page for information about the H1N1 flu and potential impacts on schools.

Pandemic Planning Materials for School Districts

During times of crises, whether real or perceived, it is important for school districts to continually communicate with their staff and community, using various media. Your district should:

  • Provide Web site updates on the status of the flu in your district with links to accurate information about the virus.
  • Send e-mails and hard-copy letters to staff informing them of district protocol and procedures around pandemic preparedness.
  • Send e-mails and hard-copy letters to parents informing them of steps your school is taking to ensure the safety of their children.
  • Provide up-to-date messages from the superintendent on your auto-dialer informing callers steps the district is taking to ensure student safety.

Colorado School Districts Sample Communications Resources

Below are some sample letters and messages from Colorado districts that you may use.

Letters

General Information

Policy

Guidelines for Education: National resources

School Planning Checklist (Hosted by the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services)
A K-12 school district pandemic influenza planning checklist including information on continuity of student learning and core operations, infection control and policies and procedures, and communications planning.
  http://www.flu.gov/professional/school/schoolchecklist.html

Guidelines for Education: Planning for Pandemic Readiness [Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE)]
General information for Colorado’s education communities and others who have responsibility for pandemic readiness planning in their organizations. Looks at all potential impacts on school districts and references policies you may want to refer to when addressing pandemic readiness.
  http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/epr/Public/educationpanready.pdf

Emergency Planning for Education (U. S. Dept. of Education)
Provides education-related information on planning for a pandemic
  www.ed.gov/admins/lead/safety/emergencyplan/pandemic/index.html

CDC Resources for K-12 Schools (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
General information on the H1N1 virus and recommendations for K-12 school districts.
  http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/schools/

Frequently Asked Questions (U.S. Dept. of Education)
  www.ed.gov/admins/lead/safety/emergencyplan/pandemic/guidance/flu-faqs.pdf

H1N1 (Swine) Flu Facts and General Information

Colorado School Safety Resource Center
Provides consultation, resources, training, and technical assistance to
foster safe and secure learning environments, positive school climates,
and early intervention to prevent crisis situations.

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

Information on how to prevent spread of the flu (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
  http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/habits.htm?s_cid=swineFlu_outbreak_internal_003

General Information (American Public Health Association)
Provides information, resources and tools for preparedness for potential influenza pandemics, outbreak of an emerging infectious disease, or other hazard or disaster.
  http://www.getreadyforflu.org/pg_facts.htm