January 24, 2020

Dear Families,

Our District health professionals work in conjunction with the Alameda County Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to be sure we are doing all we can to prevent the spread of viruses. We want to keep our students and staff healthy, even as flu season is upon us. The CDC has established guidelines to respond to influenza (flu) and flu-like illnesses at home and at school. Detailed information is available on the CDC Flu Website.  

The best way to prevent the flu is by getting a flu vaccine each year. You can still get a flu vaccine - it is not too late. The Center for Disease Control’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine each year. The seasonal flu vaccine protects against the three influenza viruses that research suggests will be most common. 

Most people with flu-like symptoms have a mild illness and do not need medical care or antiviral drugs. If you have flu symptoms, in most cases, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people except to get medical care.

If, however, you have symptoms of flu and are in a high-risk group, have severe symptoms, or are worried about your illness, please contact your healthcare provider. CDC recommends prompt treatment for people who have a flu infection or suspected flu infection and who are at high risk of serious flu complications, such as people with asthma, diabetes, heart disease or those who are pregnant.

The following are recommendations from the CDC and the Alameda County Health Department:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
• Stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. 
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue, or your elbow, when coughing or sneezing.
• Wash your hands often to help protect you from germs. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.  
• Practice other good health habits. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.
• Please refer to the LVJUSD Illness Exclusion Protocol

Our Maintenance Department routinely cleans our school sites with the appropriate and recommended cleaning products, and also do additional cleanings as needed. The Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District, working in conjunction with directives and recommendations from the CDC, Alameda County Health Department, and the California Department of Education, are committed to doing all we can to prepare and protect our school communities.

Thank you for your help in keeping our students healthy and flu free! Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Your School Nurses

Catherine Arthur MSN, RN, PHN

Croce, Marylin, Del Valle High 

carthur@lvjusd.org

Shelley Casey BSN, RN, PHN

Granada High, Joe Michell TK-8, Rancho 

scasey@lvjusd.org

Laura Curran BSN, RN, PHN

Mendenhall, Smith, Lawrence 

lcurran@lvjusd.org

Jennifer Daily MSN, RN, PHN

Sunset 

jdaily@lvjusd.org

Julie Howard BSN, RN, PHN

Christensen, Junction TK-8, Arroyo Seco 

jhoward@lvjusd.org

Carolyn Reggiardo MSN, RN, PHN

Livermore High, East Avenue, Jackson, Altamont Creek 

creggiardo@lvjusd.org