NOTE: There are no suspected cases of swine flu at the high school.
The district has been working closely with the Amherst Health Department throughout the H1N1 outbreak, especially in regard to the cases confirmed on the Amherst College Campus. In light of new information showing that the disease severity has been less than anticipated, the Center for Disease Control, the Massachusetts Department of Health and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education have all issued revised protocols over the past two days. Today, we received confirmation from Amherst Health Director Epi Bohdi that, from a public health perspective, there is no longer any reason to restrict our students’ access to events on the Amherst College campus.
May 1, 2009
Dear Parent/Guardian:
We are writing to update you on information regarding the H1N1 Virus (Swine Flu). The Amherst School District and the Amherst Health Department are working collaboratively to keep the community informed about the virus. The Amherst Health Department has direct access to representatives from the local, state and federal agencies in the ongoing the monitoring of the H1N1 virus and its impact.
We learned this morning that there are two Amherst College students identified with "probable" cases of H1N1 virus . As a precaution, the Amherst, Pelham and Amherst-Pelham Regional Schools have temporarily suspended activities between our students and Amherst College, including tutoring services and the Pipeline Program. We have been assured; however, that there is currently no need to cancel or postpone any of the districts’ sporting or social events scheduled for this weekend.
We have attached the most recent memorandum from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health for your review. It includes important information regarding their recommendations for schools and emphasizes common sense health hygiene practices and websites to access additional information.
We will continue to update you as we receive new information regarding the H1N1 virus.
If you have other questions, please feel free to contact the nurse at your child’s schools or the Office of Student Services at 362-1834.
Sincerely
Maria Geryk
Interim Superintendent of Schools
Epi Bodhi
Director of Amherst Health Department