Springwoods Elementary School

Dear Parent/Guardian:
I am writing to inform you that we are experiencing a significant number of students/staff with symptoms of Influenza Like Illness (ILI) at Springwoods Elementary School and of the steps taken to address this issue. The Prince William Health District (PWHD) has informed us that not all students/staff having ILI symptoms will be tested for the H1N1 Virus, otherwise known as “Swine Flu,” so it is impossible to know if these cases are, indeed, the H1N1 Virus. However, due to the number of students/staff who are ill, we are informing you as part of our ongoing efforts to keep you fully informed of important school-related news.

Our School Division has been in frequent contact with local and state health officials in accordance with established PWCS guidelines. We are closely monitoring the situation and are following the guidance of the PWHD, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH), and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). All appropriate measures are being taken to ensure the health of all of our students and staff. As we receive important information from the PWHD regarding our schools, we will post the information to our School Division Web site (www.pwcs.edu).

While the spread of the virus from person-to-person continues throughout the United States, the severity of the virus does not appear to be any more severe than seasonal flu. Please continue to send your well child to school. The latest guidance from the CDC does not recommend closing a school unless there are extenuating circumstances. School Division officials will work closely with local and state health officials to monitor the situation and determine if our response needs to change.

However, please continue to monitor your children for any of the symptoms of influenza, which include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue, and occasionally vomiting and diarrhea. If your child is experiencing any symptoms which you are concerned about, please keep your child at home and contact your child’s healthcare provider.

This is a good opportunity to remind everyone of a few simple steps that you can take to keep your family healthy. These include:

Wash your hands frequently with soap and water. Clean hands with an alcohol-based hand cleaner if soap and water are not available.
Cover your nose and mouth with your sleeve or a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
Stay home when you are sick, until you are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth to prevent the spread of germs.
Avoid close contact with those who have symptoms of flu.
Seek care for you or your child; please call ahead to your health care provider's office and tell them what symptoms you have, so they can see you quickly and prevent exposing other people in the waiting room.

The health and safety of our students and staff is always of the utmost importance. Please refer to the PWCS Web site at pwcs.edu or the VDH Web site at www.vdh.virginia.gov for more information and for helpful resources regarding the H1N1 Virus.

Sincerely,

Ginnie Ripperger

Principal

Inclement Weather Notices

With the cold weather upon us, we want to remind your of our delayed opening and school closing procedures. For English click here. For Spanish click here.

School Fusion and Edulink InTouch Online

If you did not have a chance to stop by and get your Fusion letter, they will be available in the office during office hours. Just remember our proof of i.d. (driver's license, military i.d., or any state issued i.d.) and you will receive your letter with directions and student's pass code so that you can register on School Fusion (our web site). By registering, you will be able to access information on your classroom teacher's home page and also be able to go to our Edulink InTouch Online link to access information about your child.

Pilot Program for Emergency Cards Online

Springwoods Elementary is participating in a pilot project which allows Parents/Guardians to update Emergency and Parent/Guardian contact information via EduLink’s Intouch Online.

To edit data, click on either the Emergency or Parent/Guardian Icons on the main login page. The data that is currently in the Student Information System will be displayed. To edit the data, click on the "Make changes/Update" button or the "View pending/submit additional changes" button at the bottom of the screen. Once you have completed editing the information, click the "Submit Changes" button at the bottom of the screen.

Please note that Springwoods will be processing the changes weekly. Changes will not be reflected in Intouch Online until 24 hours after changes have been processed. If you do not see your updates reflected after 48 hours, please email Joanne Ferrone at ferronjm@pwcs.edu.

We are excited about this new editing capability and hope that you will help us keep our Student Information System updated with your most current contact information.

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