Release: #03-90
December 30, 2003

Contact: Hilary McLean
E-mail: communications@cde.ca.gov
Phone: 916-319-0818

Encourages Schools to Work with County Health Officials if Flu is Affecting ADA

LOS ANGELES/SACRAMENTO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today announced distribution of a new health information tool kit designed to give schools a booster shot in dealing with flu prevention. He also outlined the procedure schools should follow if their student population has been hard hit by flu to avoid losing funds allocated for average daily attendance (ADA).

"When students and teachers are sick, student learning is affected," O'Connell said. "When students return from winter break, we want to redouble our efforts at keeping schools healthy. These materials are designed to teach students that simple things like washing your hands more often and covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze can prevent the spread of flu and other illnesses."

O'Connell highlighted the new "Keep Our Schools Healthy" and "Germ Free Zone" materials with school health officials at schools in Los Angeles and Sacramento. The California Department of Education (CDE) is distributing the materials to superintendents and principals statewide. The health tips for teachers, parents, and students, developed by the California Department of Health Services, are designed to be displayed in school classrooms and bathrooms.

Tips for students include:

• Avoid coughing or sneezing on others;
• Wash hands often with soap; and
• Stay home if sick.

The new "Keep Our Schools Healthy" and "Germ free Zone" materials are available in English, Spanish and several Southeast Asian languages at:

1. Germ Free Zone Poster - Spanish: (PDF; 423KB, 1p.; 30-Dec-2003)

2. Germ Free Zone Poster - English: (PDF; 776KB, 1p.; 30-Dec-2003)

3. Parents Keep Our School Healthy Poster - English and Spanish: (PDF; 411KB; 2pp.; Modified 26-Oct-2007)

4. Keep Our School Healthy Poster 1 - English: (PDF; 414KB, 1p.; Modified 26-Oct-2007)

5. Keep Our School Healthy Poster 2 - English: (PDF; 422KB, 1p.; Modified 26-Oct-2007)

6. Germ Free Zone Poster - Multiple Languages: (PDF; 609KB, 1p.; Modified 26-Oct-2007)

O'Connell also urged school districts that have experienced a significant decrease in student attendance due to flu to work with their county health officials to determine if the region has experienced an epidemic. Education Code section 46392 (a) provides a process by which schools may apply for financial relief if their ADA has been affected by epidemic. Schools are encouraged to follow this procedure for consideration of financial relief.

"Schools are facing many challenges this winter season," O'Connell said. "While we hope that every student stays healthy, I would like to remind schools that we are here to help if an outbreak of flu does severely affect their school attendance."