School-Related Influenza Information

Influenza and Schools

The Colorado Department of Education is partnering with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, U.S. Department of Education and the Centers for Disease Control to bring you school-related influenza information. We encourage our school constituents and the general public to monitor this site for ongoing updated information as the flu season progresses.

Guidance Regarding School Dismissals

The Centers for Disease Control no longer recommends closing schools upon one confirmed case of novel H1N1 influenza.  Decisions to dismiss school because of influenza-related concerns are best made by local school officials in consultation with local public health officials.  This is because factors such as school absenteeism and overall confirmed cases in a community will vary by school district.

Local public health officials will report flu-related school dismissals to the Centers for Disease Control, in accordance with the national monitoring system established by the CDC.

• School Dismissal Monitoring System, Questions and Answers

 Specific guidance and support to aid local decisions include:

• U.S. Department of Education Recommendations to Ensure the Continuity of Learning for Schools (K-12) During Extended Student Absence or School Dismissal

• Letter to state education agencies regarding continued meal service to eligible students

  The memos below should accompany the above letter to state education agencies.

  • Responding to School Closings for H1N1 an Outbreak -- CDE memo

  • School Closing for H1N1 Outbreaks:  Questions and Answers -- USDA Memo

• Forthcoming:  Guidance from the Colorado Department of Education to school districts regarding the required number of pupil-teacher contact hours.

Resources and Guidance from State and Federal Agencies

• Federal Educational and Privacy Act (FERPA) and H1N1 (Guidance issued in October from the US Department of Education under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) to answer questions that school officials may have concerning the disclosure of personally identifiable information from students’ education records to outside entities when addressing an H1N1 flu outbreak.)

• School officials may e-mail the Family Policy Compliance Office (FPCO) at FERPA@ed.gov. You may also call us at (202) 260-3887. Additional information and guidance on FERPA is available on FPCO’s Web site at: http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/index.html.  For additional questions about pandemic planning, please e-mail the Department’s dedicated mailbox at flu@ed.gov.

• CDPHE Guidance for use of Hand Sanitizer in Child Care and Schools (September 29, 2009).

• Letter to Schools from the United States Department of Education

• CDC Guidance for the (K-12) 2009-2010 School Year

• School-Located Planning Materials and Templates

• Updated Guidance for the Schools for the Fall Flu Season

Preparedness Packet Distributed to School Districts by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, August 2009

• Joint Letter from the Departments of Public Health and Environment and the Colorado Department of Education

• Pan Flu Explanation of Action Plan

• Pan Flu Action Plan

Other Web sites for Influenza Information

• Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment -- H1N1 Influenza Information and News

• United States Department of Education -- H1N1 School Information

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention -- H1N1 Flu Resources for Child Care Programs, Schools, Colleges, and Universities

• National Association of School Nurses

• National School Boards Association

Additional Resources

• Preventing the Flu: Good Health Habits Can Help Stop Germs -- one-page action steps

• Home Care Guide...Providing Care At Home During Pandemic Flu -- A publication of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

For additional information, E-Mail: washington_j@cde.state.co.us