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Home Principals Handbook H1N1 (Swine) Flu

H1N1 (Swine) Flu: What Principals Can (and Should) Do

With the recent flood of information regarding the H1N1 virus, you've probably seen plenty of materials designed for school districts and students. But what are the responsibilities of the principal in preparing his or her school for the swine flu?

On Sept. 8, 2009, AWSP Executive Director Gary Kipp attended the Washington State Pandemic Influenza Summit, where he listened to the experts with a principal's ear. What he heard, from the principal's perspective: Think differently, and consider your school's vulnerabilities.

Communication to your school community should be based on a simple, four-point message, as noted below. For each point, consider the bulleted notes and "think differently" about your existing policies or practices.

1. Wash hands. Wash you hands often with soap and hot water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.

• Do the bathrooms in your school have soap in the soap dispensers at all times? Is the hot water working? Are the paper towel dispensers kept stocked?
• Do your classrooms have alcohol-based hand cleaner, such as Purell, on site?
• Are your students required to take showers with soap and hot water after PE class?

2. Cover coughs and sneezes. The 2009 H1N1 flu is a respiratory virus, communicable through particles released from sneezing and coughing. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, or cough or sneeze into your elbow. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.

• Have you had conversations with your staff and students reinforcing this message?

3. Stay home when ill. If you are sick with flu-like symptoms, remain at home.

• Have you clearly communicated this message to students and staff?
• What kind of messages, intentional or unintentional, are you sending with current absence policies? Rethink practices that incentivize students coming to school when sick. For example, do you have a 10-day attendance rule or a perfect-attendance award? If so, consider suspending those policies.
• Your teachers may experience something new: More students out for longer periods of time. Have you discussed this scenario with staff? Does your staff have a plan to deal with these absences?
• With more people staying home, your school may require more substitutes than usual. Do you have a plan in place for more subs? Are there existing policies for teachers covering other teachers?
• Does your school have a room where sick students and staff members can remain, separated from others, until they are able to go home?
  

4. Get vaccinated. "Vaccines are the most powerful public health tool for control of influenza," according to the CDC. The H1N1 vaccine will be available soon. Be sure to get yours. 
 

Resources

Check these sites for additional information: 

• Preparing for the Flu: A Communication Toolkit for Schools (Grades K–12): Issued by the federal government, this toolkit features Q+As, fact sheets and template letters to facilitate communication with employees, students and families.
• Lead and Manage My School: H1N1 Flu Information: The U.S. Department of Education's primary resource for educators outlines new recommendations for continuity of learning during school dismissals.
• Flu.gov: The U.S. government's "all-things-flu" Web site is a clearinghouse for H1N1 and pandemic flu information.
• Preparing Schools for H1N1: OSPI's comprehensive guide helps school administrators, school nurses and parents prepare for and respond to a possible flu outbreak.
• Washington State Department of Health: DOH's "Schools" Web page features FAQs and resources, including translated material.
• School Dismissal Monitoring System: Report on H1N1-related dismissals in your school or school district by filling out this online form from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
• This School Year and H1N1: ASCD's H1N1 Web page includes news about the latest flu developments and resources to help educators minimize the virus's effect on students' learning.

Last updated Sept. 22, 2009