H1N1 flu (swine flu)

Definition

Novel H1N1 flu, popularly known as swine flu, is a respiratory infection caused by an influenza virus first recognized in spring 2009. The new virus, which is officially called swine influenza A (H1N1), contains genetic material from human, swine and avian flu viruses.

Technically, the term "swine flu" refers to influenza in pigs. Occasionally, pigs transmit influenza viruses to people, mainly hog farm workers and veterinarians. Less often, someone infected occupationally passes the infection to others. You can't catch swine flu from eating pork.

Unlike typical swine flu, H1N1 flu spreads quickly and easily. In June 2009, when the infection's spread had been verified worldwide, the World Health Organization declared H1N1 flu a global pandemic.

An H1N1 vaccine has been developed for the 2009-10 flu season.

More info at:

Important dates:

September 04 2010 Saturday	TEDxKrungthep at CIS Please find all details and how to register here.
September 09 2010 Thursday	CIS-PTA Get together Party
September 10 2010 Friday	PD Day - No school for students
October 04 2010 Monday	End of First Quarter

You don't have to be a computer expert to keep your child safe online.

As parents, we want our children to be safe and responsible while using technology.   We will have succeeded when each child can recognize and minimize the three main risks associated with all connected technology (i.e., iPods, instant messaging, chat, computer games, game consoles, cell phones, text messaging, webcams)

The three main risks associated with all connected technology are:

• Inappropriate Contact –Teach kids how to recognize and protect themselves against contact with cyber-bullies, hackers, phishers, and predators. People aren't always who they say they are. Teach kids to keep away from Internet strangers:  the Internet is a place to enhance existing relationships, not a place to meet new people.
• Inappropriate Content- This includes both content that is viewed and content that is uploaded by kids. Help kids understand that the Internet is forever: everything they post online is tracked and stored and will follow them to future job interviews and college entrance interviews.
• Inappropriate Conduct – Because the web environment can feel anonymous, some youth become dis-inhibited. Teach kids that the Internet is a public forum: anonymity is a myth. Help them be the good person online that they are when they’re off line.

Once children understand these core risks, three simple guidelines will help parents provide a safe and healthy experience online. Read More

Keep Current • Keep Communicating • Keep Checking

• Keep Current with technology. You don't have to be an expert, but a little understanding goes a long way towards keeping your child safe online. Get basic technical training and learn about new products as they're released.
• Keep Communicating with your children about everything they experience on the Internet. Know their lingo, and ask when you don't understand something. Work to keep communication lines open.
• Keep Checking your children's Internet activity. Know where they go online. Let them know that you'll keep checking because you want them to understand that the Internet is a public forum and never truly private.

You don’t have to be a computer expert to keep your child safe online. iKeepSafe has created resources for each age group to help your family have a safe, healthy and enjoyable experience using connected technologies.

For more information: http://www.ikeepsafe.org/PRC/

and: http://www.oprah.com/relationships/Online-Safety-Tips-for-Parents
(On this site you also find tools to help you safe guard you children whilest on line)

About HFMD, Hand Foot and Mouth Disease:

เรื่อง โรคมือเท้าปาก

 
The CIS board asked our PTA to sent a warning to parents to avoid taking kids to risky places; e.g. Department Store esp. the toilets in there, Public Playground, etc.  And please do to tell the kids to wash their hands often (because hand washing is very effective in preventing the disease and very easy to do).

คณะ กรรมการของโรงเรียนขอให้ทางสมาคมผู้ปกครองและครูเตือนผู้ปกครองทุกท่านให้ หลีกเลี่ยงการพาบุตรหลานของท่านไปในสถานที่ซึ่งมีความเสี่ยงต่อการติดต่อของ โรคสูง เช่นห้างสรรพสินค้า, ห้องน้ำสาธารณะ, สนามเด็กเล่นสาธารณะ ฯลฯ และขอให้เตือนบุตรหลานของท่านให้ล้างมือบ่อยๆเพราะการล้างมือเป็นวิธีที่ได้ ผลในการป้องกันโรคและทำได้ง่ายมาก

 
The school has been very serious about the cleanses in and around the school, however the school's big concern is when kids get the disease from outside and spread it out to friends in school. (If your children are sick, please do not send them to school until they are completely healed. Also, please inform school of their illness so that the school can take appropriate measures.)

ทาง โรงเรียนพยายามอย่างดีที่สุดในการรักษาความสะอาดทั้งภายในและภายนอก แต่โรงเรียนไม่สามารถป้องกันไม่ให้เด็กนักเรียนที่เป็นพาหะนำพาเชื้อโรคจาก ภายนอกและแพร่กระจายไปยังเพื่อนนักเรียนในโรงเรียนได้ หากบุตรหลานของท่านป่วย กรุณาอย่าส่งมาโรงเรียนจนกว่าจะหายขาด และกรุณาแจ้งให้โรงเรียนทราบถึงการเจ็บป่วยของนักเรียนเพื่อทางโรงเรียนจะ สามารถดำเนินการต่างๆตามสมควรได้อย่างเหมาะสม

Please help by telling this to your fellow Parents.

ดัง นั้น จึงขอความร่วมมือจากผู้ปกครองทุกท่านและกรุณาช่วยแจ้งข่าวนี้แก่เพื่อนผู้ ปกครองทุกท่านด้วยครับ

Warm Regards, PTA PR

ฝ่าย ประชาสัมพันธ์

สมาคม ผู้ปกครองและครู

โรงเรียน นานาชาติ คอนคอร์เดียน

CIS UPDATE (18 August 2010)

Dear Parents,

While H1N1 seems to be taking a back seat in the media, it is a virus that is very much alive and thriving. General patterns have demonstrated that it is more of a nuisance than a viable threat, but fear and lack of understanding have increased its ability to disrupt the normal operations of a school.

Yesterday, four students of Grade 5A class were diagnosed with Type A Influenza, likely to be H1N1 even though no cases were confirmed. Parents acted responsibly, phoned the school immediately and informed us that they suspected the virus.

The school has therefore decided to close down Grade 5A until next Monday following school policy and procedures in the matter. Homework and classwork will be available through Weebly website at the end of the day or can be picked up after school at the Principal's office.

The school has informed all parents through SMS asking them to monitor their children’s temperature, as fever is commonly related to H1N1. We are following our H1N1 protocol developed at the beginning of the school year and have begun “Level One” preparedness which includes the following:

• Thoroughly disinfect the classrooms
• Begin three day temperature screening
• Check all students in affected classrooms
• Inform parents
• Update parents
• Monitor Attendance (all absent students will be called)

Concordian will do all that we can to assure the overall safety of children and to reduce any disruption to the education of all of its students. No matter what safety precautions the school takes, however, we will not be immune to the potential spread of H1N1. Regardless of this fact, the school continues to exceed all recommendations for schools made by the CDC and the Thai Ministry of Health. Hopefully with our precautions and the vigilance of our parents we will be able to minimize the threat to our school and community.

WHEN FLU SYMPTOMS EXIST WITHIN YOUR FAMILY:

• Any family member who complains of flu symptoms (swine flu symptoms are the same as seasonal flu virus) must stay away from school. The CDC recommends that staying six feet away from a possibly infected person almost reduces the risk of contamination entirely.  Consult a doctor. The CDC is also recommending that infected individuals stay out of the public and schools for at least seven days.
• Symptoms include: fever, lethargy, lack of appetite, coughing, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea (fever being the most accurate predictor of illness). The school’s policy has always maintained that students with a fever should be out of school at least 24 hours after the fever as subsided.
• If a member of the family has flu symptoms, it must be reported to the school.
• Regardless of whether a person has traveled to infected areas as announced by the WHO, if flu symptoms exist within the family, then all members of the family must refrain from coming to school until after the 24 hour incubation period. For sick children, return to campus is only allowed with a doctor’s permission note in hand.

The following links are outstanding in providing truthful information regarding the N1H1 Swine Flu Virus. There are lots of rumors going around and much fear surrounding the Swine Flu Virus. By being informed, we can all do our part to help provide a safe learning environment for our children.  It has been long established that the fear is the number one hindrance to learning. As a community, we all need to be informed.

http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/pdf/keyfacts.pdf

http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/

http://eng.moph.go.th/

We will monitor the CDC, WHO and MOPH websites. If it appears that the swine flu outbreak will have an immediate effect on our school community, then we will inform you of a more aggressive set of steps toward addressing safety and seeking to continue teaching and learning. We have a very specific protocol in the event of a declared pandemic and will be quick to ensure you are fully aware of our next steps.

 Everyone must help to keep each other safe.
 
The Administration
Concordian International School