Health Dept msg

[Anonymous]

Not in FCPS, but in Stafford County, one HS had 1,000 students out recently with flu. Diagnosed influenza, and some cases of a gastro illness that might be related or not.

That's not a typo, by the way. One thousand students. From a single school. It was about half the student body, I recall from some coverage.

https://wtop.com/stafford-county/2022/10/flu-suspected-in-hundreds-of-illnesses-at-va-high-school/

Parents need to read up on what's happing and what's still to come. Plenty of coverage by reputable news outlets about how this winter's flu season will be the worst in a while. Flu was down the past two winters --all the masking and distancing kept it from circulating nearly as much as it had previously --and the expectation by medical professionals is that flu will come back with a vengance this winter and be widespread. As schools are already finding.

Since the usual peak of flu in the United States is around February most years (per CDC's reporting over the past few decades), the fact that we're seeing fast-spreading outbreaks in schools in October---early for flu--means it's going to be an especially rough school year and winter.

Sadly I expect many parents will insist on sending kids to school sick out of concern about kids missing any more class time, but the result will be more and more sick kids as it spreads.

And sick teachers -- just as we have a teacher shortage as it is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No masks! Schools open always! Flu is just a cold! My child needs to smile!!

I LOL'd

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is RCMS? Why can't you just put down the name of the school? There are hundreds of schools in FCPS.

Whoa there, tiger. Quick Google of RCMS FCPS and Rachel Carson Middle School pops up.

[Anonymous]

We didn’t but I thought my kid had the flu since he came off the bus, went right to sleep and later I discovered he had a fever. I found a old covid rapid and sure enough, I stand positive. Nits interesting because he was basically asymptotic the first time. This time it’s more like a flu.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is a form letter of sorts sent out when there’s been a cluster of absences that investigation/follow up phone calls confirm. So, no this letter is school specific based upon absences reported.

This is why you are to disclose symptoms any time you call on to the attendance line. The reasons are entered into a database/SIS and each school monitored daily by the health department.

The nurse left a voice-mail asking why DD was out . I refused to call back and disclose details.

Not sharing an ounce of health info with the fcps.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is a form letter of sorts sent out when there’s been a cluster of absences that investigation/follow up phone calls confirm. So, no this letter is school specific based upon absences reported.

This is why you are to disclose symptoms any time you call on to the attendance line. The reasons are entered into a database/SIS and each school monitored daily by the health department.

The nurse left a voice-mail asking why DD was out . I refused to call back and disclose details.

Not sharing an ounce of health info with the fcps.

And this is why GMU is establishing a new college for Public Health. To hopefully train people to work with the community so that they understand we are in it together.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is a form letter of sorts sent out when there’s been a cluster of absences that investigation/follow up phone calls confirm. So, no this letter is school specific based upon absences reported.

This is why you are to disclose symptoms any time you call on to the attendance line. The reasons are entered into a database/SIS and each school monitored daily by the health department.

The nurse left a voice-mail asking why DD was out . I refused to call back and disclose details.

Not sharing an ounce of health info with the fcps.

Why? I’d your child young? If so, I can understand. I’m the poster above you with the kid with covid. Generally we are private people but I let them and the teachers know immediately. He’s in high school and the hope is that they will be a little more understanding with due dates and late assignments. Yes, they can hand in most things late now but in this case he has a legitimate reason for missing consecutive days.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is a form letter of sorts sent out when there’s been a cluster of absences that investigation/follow up phone calls confirm. So, no this letter is school specific based upon absences reported.

This is why you are to disclose symptoms any time you call on to the attendance line. The reasons are entered into a database/SIS and each school monitored daily by the health department.

The nurse left a voice-mail asking why DD was out . I refused to call back and disclose details.

Not sharing an ounce of health info with the fcps.

This how public health officials gather data and track trends. Take the tin foil hat off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is a form letter of sorts sent out when there’s been a cluster of absences that investigation/follow up phone calls confirm. So, no this letter is school specific based upon absences reported.

This is why you are to disclose symptoms any time you call on to the attendance line. The reasons are entered into a database/SIS and each school monitored daily by the health department.

The nurse left a voice-mail asking why DD was out . I refused to call back and disclose details.

Not sharing an ounce of health info with the fcps.

This how public health officials gather data and track trends. Take the tin foil hat off.

+1. And the school health aide is actually an employee of Fairfax County, not FCPS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is a form letter of sorts sent out when there’s been a cluster of absences that investigation/follow up phone calls confirm. So, no this letter is school specific based upon absences reported.

This is why you are to disclose symptoms any time you call on to the attendance line. The reasons are entered into a database/SIS and each school monitored daily by the health department.

The nurse left a voice-mail asking why DD was out . I refused to call back and disclose details.

Not sharing an ounce of health info with the fcps.

This how public health officials gather data and track trends. Take the tin foil hat off.

+1. And the school health aide is actually an employee of Fairfax County, not FCPS.

And Fairfax County Health Department.

Thanks for your cooperation, Mom.

By the way, guess who staffed the Fairfax County Covid Call Centers in the early days of Covid?
A legion of school health aides!

12-14 hour shifts, worked every holiday, then some transitioned to the mass vax centers at the government center.

[Anonymous]

It seems so early for flu. We have not received this message from the HS.

[Anonymous]

Both my kids got hit with the flu shortly after our notice was sent!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It seems so early for flu. We have not received this message from the HS.

It’s because so many people kept their kids home for so long and masked. Regular illnesses were not able to spread. So immune systems are not working so well anymore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Both my kids got hit with the flu shortly after our notice was sent!

Same.

[Anonymous]

My child has Flu B. I have Covid. Good times!