When Students and Staff Should Stay Home

When Students and Staff Should Stay Home:
At this time, DHSS and local health departments have advised us that students can continue to
attend school and staff members can continue to report to work as long as they are not sick and
do not have flu-like symptoms. However, if students or staff members are experiencing any flulike
symptoms, it is important that they remain home and stay away from other people for seven
days after the onset of the symptoms or longer if they still have symptoms. Flu-like symptoms
include fever (over 100 degrees Fahrenheit), cough, sore throat and a runny or stuffy nose.
Additional symptoms can include muscle pain, fatigue, and sometimes vomiting or diarrhea.
Information for Parents and Guardians:
I have attached a letter from DOE and DHSS for you to provide to parents and guardians. A
Spanish-language version of the letter is also attached. Please disseminate these letters as
broadly as possible by posting it on your district and community websites and sending it to the
local media.
Communication with Local

H1N1 Influenza A (swine flu) Advisory

The purpose of this memo is to update you on the current situation in New Jersey regarding
H1N1 Influenza A (also known as swine flu). I also want to provide you with additional
information from DOE and the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) that will be
helpful in answering questions from parents and others in your community.
Matters covered in this memo include:
• Statewide Update.
• New CDC Guidance on School Closures.
• When Children and Staff Should Stay Home.
• Information for Parents and Guardians.
• Communication with County Offices and Local Health Officials.
• Reducing the Risk of H1N1.
Statewide Update:
First, please be assured that while there is cause for concern about H1N1, there is no cause for
alarm at this point. To