School & Childcare Dismissals
CDC Guidance for State and Local Public Health Officials and School Administrators for School (K-12) Responses to Influenza During the 2009-2010 School Year (Outside Source)
Latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends keeping well children in school and not dismissing students from K-12 schools and children from childcare facilities due to confirmed or suspected H1N1 virus.
Proper Procedures in Response to Flu Outbreak
Information on dealing with other school gatherings and reopening of schools.
Average Daily Attendance (a.d.a.) Credit for Material Decrease in Attendance Due to H1N1
Local educational agencies (LEA) which dismiss all students or that have a material decrease in attendance due to the H1N1 influenza virus, should seek emergency a.d.a. credit through the California Department of Education's "Form J-13A" process; the form and instructions are found through the link below.
During a school year in which the Governor has issued an emergency proclamation, as well as the following school year, the SSPI has the authority to approve emergency a.d.a. to compensate for a material decrease in a.d.a. State Superintendent O’Connell has indicated that any decrease in a.d.a. resulting from the H1N1 influenza pandemic will be deemed material and approved for such school years. LEAs should submit claims only in the amount of decrease attributed to the H1N1 influenza virus. Those school years were 2008-09 and 2009-10.
For material decrease during school years not covered by a Governor’s emergency proclamation, approval of material decrease, per Education Code (EC) Section 46392 and Title 5, California Code of Regulations, Section 428, will be for the loss in attendance due to H1N1 which exceeds ten percent of the normal attendance and is accompanied by a letter from the local halth official indicating that there is an epidemic.
If you have any questions regarding this subject, please contact Scott Hannan, Director, School Fiscal Services Division at 916-322-3024 or by e-mail at shannan@cde.ca.gov.
- Form J-13A Request for Allowance of Attendance for Emergency Conditions (DOC; 66KB; 6pp.)
- Management Advisory 90-01
Reporting School Dismissals
School Dismissal Monitoring System (Outside Source)
The CDC the U.S. Department of Education have established a system for schools to self-report closures related to a potential H1N1 virus outbreak in the United States.
Resources for Schools, Preschools, & Childcare Centers
Providing Meals During H1N1 Influenza Outbreaks
- New Federal Policy on Providing Meals during School Closures Related to H1N1 (Outside Source)
Due to a recent change in federal policy, schools that are closed following the declaration of a public health emergency due to H1N1 influenza virus may serve reimbursable free meals to enrolled children during the closure. This option is available through the Summer Food Service Program or Seamless Summer Feeding Option along with an H1N1 Waiver. - Providing Meals During an H1N1 School Closure (New 23-Dec-2009)
Sponsors approved for meal programs may continue to provide reimbursable meals to low-income children during school closures and/or student dismissals caused by the H1N1 influenza virus.
Updated Guidance for Schools for the Fall Flu Season (Outside Source)
Updated federal guidelines offer state and local public health and school officials a range of options for responding to 2009 H1N1 influenza in schools
Sample Flu Notifications
Sample letters and information for parents including how to protect their family and what to do in the case of school closure.
These sample letters may be modified and used for any type of influenza, including H1N1 (swine flu).
Immunization Promotional Materials (Outside Source)
The California Department of Public Health's Immunization Branch provides posters in multiple languages on how to avoid the spread of germs and viruses.
Talking to Children about Swine Flu (PDF; Outside Source)
Guidance from the National Association of School Nurses, National Association of School Psychologists, and the Parent Teacher Association.
Pandemic Influenza Planning Checklists
Assistance for local educational agencies, childcare agencies, and preschools in preparing for pandemic influenza.
- Checklist for Child Care Agencies and Preschools in California (DOC; 140KB; 8pp.)
- Checklist for Local Educational Agencies in California (DOC; 150KB; 7pp.)
Other Sources of Information
California Department of Public Health
- H1N1 Vaccine Information and New Video (Outside Source)
Current H1N1 information available in English and Spanish on the need for and availability of H1N1 vaccine. - Guidance for School (K-12) Responses to Influenza During the 2009-2010 School Year (PDF; Outside Source)
- Customizable Flu Prevention Materials (Outside Source)
- H1N1 Influenza (Outside Source)
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC)
- Put Your Hands Together Video (Outside Source)
- What to Do If You Get Flu-Like Symptoms (Outside Source)
- Updates on Swine Flu Investigation (Outside Source)
- H1N1 (Swine Flu) and You - Questions and Answers (Outside Source)
- Interim Guidance for Swine influenza A (H1N1): Taking Care of a Sick Person in Your Home (Outside Source)
- Swine Influenza Key Facts (Outside Source)
- Swine Flu Video Podcast (Outside Source)
- Swine Influenza in Pigs and People Brochure (PDF; Outside Source)
CDC, U.S. Department of Agriculture) - Travel Notices and Warnings (Outside Source)
- Datos Importantes Sobre la Influenza Porcina (Gripe Porcina) - Español (Outside Source)
- 2009 Flu Prevention PSA Video Contest (Outside Source)
U.S. Department of Education
- Flu Season School Guidance: H1N1 Information (Outside Source)
