Mathis ISD Takes Steps to Limit Flu Impact on Students and Staff

9/14/2009

MHSIS sophomore Jeanette Rodas uses the sanitizer dispenser located next to the door in all Mathis ISD classrooms. Students are advised to use the sanitizer when entering, and when exiting classrooms.

When students returned to school last Tuesday sanitizer dispensers had been installed at the entry of all buildings and at the door of every classroom. The Southern Paper Company installed all the dispensers over the Labor Day weekend, in time for school to open on Tuesday. The CDC, the San Patricio County Health Department, the School-Based Health Center staff, and the Mathis ISD school nurses all agree that washing hands frequently, or using hand sanitizer, will help limit the spread of flu among students and staff.

The Mathis ISD school nurses reminded parents not to return their children to school until they have been without fever for 24 hours, nor have they taken fever-reducing medications during that time.

Notices were sent on September 14 and 15 to parents and guardians of Mathis ISD students that the San Patricio County Health Department and Mathis ISD would be offering free seasonal flu shots to all Mathis ISD students. Parents and guardians must give their permission for a student to receive a shot. The shot clinic will be scheduled in approximately three weeks. The H1N1 (swine) flu shot will also be offered free to students when the vaccine becomes available.

At Mathis High School for International Studies, a group of students worked with Associate Principal Shemon Bailey to come up with four rules to help limit the spread of flu among students, and among community members: 1) disinfect surfaces such as tables, door knobs, and desks; 2) sanitize hands; 3) keep hands away from the face and mouth; and 4) and cover the nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.