H1N1 Flu Update: May 4, 2009

Starting today, Katy ISD will provide parents and community daily updates regarding the district’s response to the H1N1 virus. Our goal is to provide the Katy community with timely and accurate information as to the district’s response.

Situation

As of today, Beckendorff Junior High is the only campus that remains closed due to a “highly probable” case of H1N1. In addition to classes being canceled, all extracurricular activities and events at Beckendorff are canceled until the school reopens on May 11.

The UIL’s suspension of academic and athletic competitions, as well as the district’s ban on all student travel outside Katy ISD until May 11 remains in effect. All other events and activities will proceed as scheduled except for those that bring together students from more than one school:

• DARE , May 4, 6:00 p.m., at Beck Junior High has been canceled.
• KISD Technology Showcase, May 6, 5:30 p.m., at has been postponed until after May 11.
• Pregnancy Education Program Graduation, May 8

Commonly Asked Questions

The following are some of the most common questions the district has received over the past several days. We will continue to add to this list of questions as necessary. If you have a question, please forward it to communications@katyisd.org. We will post answers to the most commonly asked questions here. If you have a question specific to your child’s campus, please contact the school directly.

Why are the feeder schools to and from Beckendorff Junior High not being closed as well? The FBCHHS has recommended that larger districts, such as Katy ISD, only close those schools where a highly probable case of H1N1 has been found.

Should the sibling of a child exhibiting flu-like symptoms stay home as well? At this time, Health Department officials are not recommending that siblings of sick students remain at home, unless they themselves are exhibiting flu-like symptoms.

What impact will school closings have on the school calendar? Will the year be extended? The district has not made a decision regarding these days. However, the Texas Education Agency has provided a waiver process for districts that close one or more schools. This process is similar to that which the district applied for last fall after Hurricane Ike. While there is no guarantee that the TEA will grant this waiver, Commissioner of Education, Robert Scott, has sent correspondence to local districts stating that the health and safety of students is our number one priority. We will keep parents apprised as to any development in this area. 

Are proms and other school dances and parties canceled? At this time, single school events have not been limited by the Health Department except those noted above.

Will graduation go on as scheduled? At this time, there is no indication that the graduation schedule will change.

Attendance/Exemptions

We understand that there is a great deal of concern about attendance and exemptions, particularly among high school students and parents. While it is important to be in class, we encourage parents and students to put health issues before attendance and to stay home when sick.

The exemption policy has been reviewed and the district will take into account any lost days that are due to the flu.

Rumor Control

Katy ISD communicates several times per day with the local health departments.  Any recommendation for a school closure will come from lcoal health department officials. Again, as of today, the district has not received notification from either county of any new H1N1 cases in our district.

We encourage parents and community members to check the district’s website, www.katyisd.org, for the most accurate information regarding school closures.

H1N1 Flu: Information for Concerned Parents and Caregivers

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most people infected with the H1N1 virus in the have a mild disease, but some have had more severe illness. Young children, pregnant women and people with chronic disease like asthma, diabetes, or heart disease may be at higher risk for complications from this infection. For more information on steps you can take to protect your family and to know when to seek medical care, visit CDC’s article on H1N1 Flu: Information for Concerned Parents and Caregivers.