| Print this page | |
TAISM NEWS
Eagle Volume 12, Issue 05, February 16, 2010
............................
Click here to download a PDF document with the Frequently Asked Questions about H1N1.
The 2009-10 school year began on August 24 for 635 students in Early Childhood through Grade 12. This number is the highest enrollment in the history of the school, with families from 56 nations enrolled. A few spaces still remain for admissions in specific grade levels. Interested families may contact the Admissions Office for more information.
Although the Omani government and private schools are closed until after Eid (September 26), international schools are able to operate as planned. TAISM has taken precautions with regards to the H1N1 flu virus, and these details are available in the Latest News portion of this website.
The school continues to monitor the advisories from the Oman Ministry of Health as well as recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO) and Center for Disease Control (CDC) in the USA. TAISM's response to a possible H1N1 flu virus sickness will be to follow school's normal sickness policy at the school: Parents are responsible to self-report any illness to the school nurse, who in turn will make recommendations regarding the enrollment of the child and how many days the student should be absent. It should be noted that the school year began as scheduled on August 24. Below is a list of recommendations published by the CDC for schools, which is being followed by TAISM.
Those with flu-like illness should stay home for at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever, or signs of a fever, without the use of fever-reducing medicines. They should stay home even if they are using antiviral drugs. (For more information, see CDC recommendations regarding time-away from school)
Students and staff who appear to have flu-like illness should be sent the nurse's office, separate from others until they can be sent home. CDC recommends that they wear a surgical mask, if possible, and that those who care for ill students and staff wear protective gear such as a mask.
The new recommendations emphasize the importance of the basic foundations of influenza prevention: stay home when sick, wash hands frequently with soap and water when possible, and cover noses and mouths with a tissue when coughing or sneezing (or a shirt sleeve or elbow if no tissue is available). The school has added sanitary hand cleaner dispensers in all classrooms, labs, library, and the cafeteria, with an emphasis on cleaning hands regularly. Classrooms also have sinks with soap and water.
School staff routinely clean areas that students and staff touch often with the cleaners they typically use. Also, special attention is given to areas like stair rails, bus seats, door handles, etc.
People at high risk for influenza complications who become ill with influenza-like illness should speak with the school nurse as soon as possible when returning for the school year. Early treatment with antiviral medications is very important for people at high risk because it can prevent hospitalizations and deaths. People at high risk include those who are pregnant, have asthma or diabetes, have compromised immune systems, or have neuromuscular diseases.
Students who have an ill household member should stay home for five days from the day
the first household member got sick. This is the time period they are most likely to
get sick themselves.
Questions regarding the H1N1 virus and the response by the school can be directed to Breege Conneely,
School Nurse. Her email address is conneelyb@taism.edu.om.
Updated: December 14, 2009