District monitoring flu, sickness reports
There are no confirmed cases of the H1N1'swine flu' virus among Ball-Chatham School District
students or staff, at least not yet, Supt. Bob Gillum told the Clarion Tuesday.
Rumors have been swirling, and some parents have even chosen to keep their kids home from
school to avoid possible exposure, Gillum said.
Gillum sent out a memo to all parents in the district on Monday, assuring them that he is in daily
contact with the Sangamon County Health Department. A portion of the memo he sent out reads as
follows:
"Earlier today (Monday), I was able to confirm with the County Health Department that Sangamon
County has not experienced heightened reporting of influenza-like illnesses. We find it important to
share this information as rumors have been spread that have provoked a number of households to
keep children home as a precautionary measure.
"If your child is ill, we do not want them in attendance and encourage medical care and treatment.
In fact, to enhance our method of accuracy, in cooperation with the County, we are asking that you list
the symptoms of the illness when reporting your child out sick. Secondly, please know that we are
monitoring health reports with regularity, and at this time, illnesses, including cases of influenza 'A',
have been reported.
"Our website has been updated with our most current procedural information. You are encouraged
to check the website regularly for changes. We are in contact with the County health officials and are
following all prescribed guidelines."
Additional information is available on the district website, http://chathamschools.org.
There are no confirmed cases of the H1N1'swine flu' virus among Ball-Chatham School District
students or staff, at least not yet, Supt. Bob Gillum told the Clarion Tuesday.
Rumors have been swirling, and some parents have even chosen to keep their kids home from
school to avoid possible exposure, Gillum said.
Gillum sent out a memo to all parents in the district on Monday, assuring them that he is in daily
contact with the Sangamon County Health Department. A portion of the memo he sent out reads as
follows:
"Earlier today (Monday), I was able to confirm with the County Health Department that Sangamon
County has not experienced heightened reporting of influenza-like illnesses. We find it important to
share this information as rumors have been spread that have provoked a number of households to
keep children home as a precautionary measure.
"If your child is ill, we do not want them in attendance and encourage medical care and treatment.
In fact, to enhance our method of accuracy, in cooperation with the County, we are asking that you list
the symptoms of the illness when reporting your child out sick. Secondly, please know that we are
monitoring health reports with regularity, and at this time, illnesses, including cases of influenza 'A',
have been reported.
"Our website has been updated with our most current procedural information. You are encouraged
to check the website regularly for changes. We are in contact with the County health officials and are
following all prescribed guidelines."
Additional information is available on the district website, http://chathamschools.org.
Chatham Clarion
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Issue Date: Sept. 3, 2009