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Challenges that Face MCPS in the Event of a Flu Pandemic

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Challenges that Face MCPS in the Event of a Flu Pandemic

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  1. Montgomery County Public Schools H1N1 Flu PreparationsAssociation of Independent Schools of Greater Washington (AISGW)September 29, 2009Pam Montgomery, DirectorSystemwide Safety ProgramsDepartment of Facilities Management2096 Gaither Road, Suite 200, Rockville, MD 20850(w) 240-314-1070 (fax) 240-314-1068Email: pamela_montgomery@mcpsmd.org

  2. Challenges that Face MCPS in the Event of a Flu Pandemic • To maintain the primary core mission of MCPS: • Uninterrupted education of MCPS students • To ensure the health, safety, and welfare of students, staff, and their families during an H1N1 flu pandemic • To provide security, maintenance and operations of the physical and technological infrastructure of MCPS using the Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP)

  3. MCPS Preparations in Place Prior to Spring 2009 • MCPS Pandemic Flu Response Plan (PFRP) developed in 2006-2007 • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and hygiene materials deemed necessary and available at the MCPS warehouse • Hand Sanitizers • Surgical Masks • Disposable Gloves • Hand Soap (liquid and/or foam) • Paper towels

  4. Current MCPS Preparations • June 23rd Memorandum to Principals • Provides guidance to principals for completion of H1N1 Flu preparations for the fall 2009 semester • July 21st Memorandum to Principals • Follow up to original memorandum with updates to communication with parents (sample letters and Connect-ED messages in six languages) and instructional programs in the event of school closings (continued)

  5. Current MCPS Preparations(continued) • Joint DHHS and MCPS Flu Planning Committee meets on an ongoing basis • Discussing possible scenarios for H1N1 vaccination program • August 21st E-mail to Administrators • Top priority is the health and safety of students and staff • Recommendation for all staff to consider receiving the seasonal flu vaccine and the H1N1 flu vaccine • General precautions on staying healthy and when to stay home if flu-like symptoms develop (fever of 100°F or greater with cough or sore throat) (continued)

  6. Current MCPS Preparations(continued) • August 26th Memorandum to Principals regarding Seasonal Flu Vaccines • Provides guidance for the free seasonal flu vaccination (Flu Mist) program for students at all elementary schools and special schools • 131 schools will participate beginning on September 23rd and culminating on October 22nd • Letters translated into six languages, consent form, and CDC flyer, What You Need to Know, has been distributed to parents/guardians in the first week of school (continued)

  7. Current MCPS Preparations(continued) • Currently working with Montgomery County DHHS on H1N1 vaccination (flu mist) program for students—evening clinics in selected high schools. More guidance will be available from the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. • (continued)

  8. Current MCPS Preparations Free Seasonal Flu Vaccination Program (continued) • Elementary School Principals Expectations: • assign school staff to work with DHHS • communicate vaccination information to parents/guardians on the school’s website, using Connect-Ed messages, and other means • plan for an appropriate location inside the school for the vaccination program • recruit parent volunteers to assist as “logistics assistants” • provide class lists to school health room staff • collect and forward consent forms to the health room staff • (continued)

  9. Current MCPS Preparations(continued) • Update Pandemic Flu Response Plan (PFRP) as needed • Plans in place to maintain business operations • Transportation • Food Services • Facilities Management • Maintenance and Operations • Human Resources • Payroll

  10. CDC Guidance for State and Local Public Health Officials and School Administrators for Schools (K-12) Responses to Influenza during the 2009-2010 School Year • MCPS is following the most recent CDC Guidance issued August 31, 2009: • Stay home when sick • Separate ill students and staff • Hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette • Routine cleaning • Early treatment of high risk student and staff • Consideration of selective school dismissal

  11. Health and Welfare of Students and Staff • Communication • Information on MCPS Website, the new myMCPS portal, letters sent home to parents/guardians, other resources identified (websites of CDC, MC Government, DHHS, MCCPTA) • Instruction to students and staff reminding them of the need for good personal hygiene including: • hand washing, • cough etiquette, • social distancing (continued)

  12. Health and Welfare of Students and Staff (continued) • Available Resources • Cooperation and collaboration with Montgomery County DHHS on student vaccination program for seasonal flu and H1N1 (Swine) flu • Seasonal Flu Vaccination Program started on September 23rd • Hand sanitizers, hand soap, and paper towels, PPE (disposable gloves, masks, etc.) • Pilot program currently underway at six schools and the Carver Educational Services Center (CESC-Central Office) for use of hands-free wall mounted hand sanitizers at designated locations (continued)

  13. Health and Welfare of Students and Staff (continued) • Encourage sick students and staff to stay home • Refer to CDC recommendations on recognizing symptoms that warrant sending home sick students or staff • Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) • Continuity of Human Resources goals; i.e., Payroll, benefits, essential Human Resources activities continue unabated

  14. Continuity of Education and Meals • Schools tasked with developing detailed instructional plan to continue education using alternative means • Emergency Instructional Guide for School Closures • Instruction is to continue if a school is closed • Lessons provided via Edline, websites, e-mail, or information packets • ITV Channel 34 • Plans prepared for distribution of Free and Reduced Meals (FARM) program • Plan for establishing the locations and means of providing FARM and other foods to students if schools are closed

  15. Next Steps • Monitor student and staff absenteeism • Continue daily reporting of student absences to DHHS school health room nurses • All students absentee data reported on DHHS software program and analyzed daily for spikes • Staff—self reporting—working with IT on school staff absentee computer reporting program • DHHS generates daily reports on schools and number of students with flu-like symptoms (continued)

  16. Next Steps(continued) • Continue communication messages to staff, students, and parents/guardians • Ensure schools have plans in place to communicate information to stakeholders • Continue business operations • Continue collaboration with DHHS • Continue to update the MCPS Website with current information • Continue to review and update the MCPS Pandemic Flu Response Plan (PFRP) using latest CDC Guidance

  17. Questions

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