Clovis Unified acts to protect the health of students from H1N1

Say No 2 Flu brochure

Clovis Unified works closely with our local public health organizations to protect the well-being of our students and curb the spread of illness in our classrooms.  With the advent of H1N1, a new strain of influenza with a limited availability of vaccine, our efforts to protect the health of our students and staff have been re-emphasized.

Before the start of the 2009-2010 school year, Clovis Unified staff have been reminded of these simple steps that can prevent the spread of flu.  Please remember that these steps can be used by everyone in your family to help keep our students healthy and ready to learn!

•  Cover your coughs and sneezes.  Staff will educate students on the importance of covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.  When a tissue is unavailable, using an elbow instead of a hand to cover sneezes or coughs is another important prevention measure.
• Remind students to practice good hand hygiene, and provide the time and supplies for them to wash their hands as often as necessary.
• Be a good role model.  Adults should always practice good hand hygiene and cover their nose and mouth when they cough or sneeze.
• Those who are sick should stay at home until at least 24-hours after they no longer have signs of a fever. Students and staff with flu-like illness should stay home for at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever, or signs of a fever, without the use of fever-reducing medicines.
• People experiencing severe flu symptoms, especially those who are at high risk for complications if they become ill with an influenza-like illness should speak with their health care provider as soon as possible. People at high risk include those who are pregnant, have asthma or diabetes, have compromised immune systems, or have neuromuscular diseases.

 In addition:

• Staff will keep an eye out for sick students and send them to the school health office for evaluation. 
• Clovis Unified will continue daily cleaning and sanitation of rest rooms, lockers, door handles, sinks, drinking fountains and other high contact areas.  In addition, each classroom and health office is equipped with disinfectant cleaner that can be used as necessary.
• School health offices have been provided disposable masks for use by anyone exhibiting severe symptoms to prevent coughing or sneezing on others while waiting to go home.

Clovis Unified will continue to remain in close contact with the Fresno County Health Department to remain prepared to protect the health of our students and staff through effective prevention measures. In addition, the District has a plan in place to respond should a widespread outbreak occur in our community.  If you have any questions about Clovis Unified’s preparedness for seasonal flu or H1N1, please contact the Nursing Services Office at 559-327-9466. More information about H1N1 can be found at the Centers for Disease Control.

The following information from Fresno County Public Health is also helpful in understanding the similarities and differences between H1N1 and seasonal flu.

While symptoms of Seasonal Flu and Pandemic Flu H1N1 are similar, populations that experience
severe illness are different. Those at highest risk from Seasonal Flu infection are the elderly (over 65
years of age) and the very young (under 59 months.) With Pandemic Flu H1N1, the populations
currently considered at greatest risk for hospitalization and death include pregnant women and
children and young adults (6 months to 24 years of age.) Individuals with chronic medical conditions
are at higher risk from both kinds of flu.

• Steps to prevent Seasonal Flu and Pandemic Flu H1N1 are the same and include:
  

• Get a vaccination as soon as it becomes available.
  

• Cover nose and mouth with a tissue or the corner of the elbow for coughs or sneezes. Throw
  the tissue away after each use.
  

• Wash hands often with soap and water, especially after coughs or sneezes. Alcohol-based
  hand cleaners are also effective.
  

• Stay home when sick and keep sick children home from school.
  

• Avoid close contact with others who are sick.
  

• Avoid social gatherings when ill or if existing medical conditions increase the risk for flu
  complications.
  

Seasonal Flu vaccine shipments are expected to arrive earlier than usual this year with initial
shipments of vaccine expected in September. Consumers should contact their health care provider
now to arrange for a Seasonal Flu vaccination. Additional information and Seasonal Flu vaccination
clinic schedule will be posted on the Fresno County Department of Public Health website at
www.fcdph.org/flu. Consumers can also call the Department’s toll-free hot line at 1-888-993-3003.

Five schools recognized for work with economically challenged students

On Feb. 11 California State Superintendent Jack O'Connell announced this year's Title I Academic Achievement Award winners, with five CUSD schools included in the prestigious list. Fancher Creek, Clovis, Sierra Vista, Jefferson and Miramonte elementary schools were singled out from among the state’s 6,000 Title I schools for consistently enabling students from economically challenged homes to increase their academic performance, and for narrowing the achievement gap.

Since 2005 California has awarded the Title I Academic Achievement title to those schools effectively using their Title I funds to help all students make significant progress toward proficiency on California’s academic content standards. In addition, the school’s socioeconomically disadvantaged students must have doubled the achievement targets set for them for at least two consecutive years. Title I funds assist schools in meeting the educational needs of students living near or at the poverty level.

This is the third academic achievement award for Miramonte and Sierra Vista elementary schools, and the second for Clovis, Fancher Creek and Jefferson elementary schools. Clovis Unified Title I schools have been named to the award program 16 times since 2005.

19 names to California Business for Excellence in Education 2009 Honor Roll

Nineteen Clovis Unified schools have been singled out by California’s business community for breaking down barriers to student learning.  The schools are 19 of the 1,304 California public schools announced today as 2009 Honor Roll Schools by California Business for Education Excellence (CBEE) Foundation.  The CBEE Honor Roll is made up of two different awards, the Star Schools Award (395 schools) and Scholar Schools Award (909 schools).

“It is clear that dedication, hard work and high standards continue to pay off for students in our district,” said Superintendent Dave Cash, Ed.D.  “Having this prestigious business organization recognize so many of our schools means that we are on the right track in improving the lives of all students in our community,” Cash said.

Clovis, Jefferson, Mickey Cox, Miramonte, Mtn. View and Nelson elementary schools were named to CBEE’s STAR Honor Roll.  This award recognizes schools with high socio-economically disadvantaged populations that have demonstrated consistently high student achievement and significant progress toward closing the achievement gaps among all students over a four year period. 

Cedarwood, Century, Copper Hills, Dry Creek, Freedom, Garfield, James S. Fugman, Liberty, Maple Creek, Red Bank, Riverview and Valley Oak elementary schools and Clovis West High School received the Scholar Honor Roll award for achieving significantly high levels of student achievement by every student subgroup.

“Schools on the Honor Roll dispel the myth that certain students can’t reach grade-level proficiency and that schools with a challenging student population won’t be able to succeed,” said Greg Jones, CBEE Chair. “These schools are overcoming challenges every day.”  For more information about the award program and the CBEE Foundation visit www.cbee.org.

Reyburn named one of three California Schools to Watch

Clovis Unified’s Reyburn Intermediate is drawing the notice of educators around the country for meeting the needs of students and building a strong record of achievement.  On Jan. 12, the school was named one of only three California schools awarded the highly competitive title of 2010 Schools to Watch – Taking Center Stage.  

“Reyburn's recognition as a 2010 Schools to Watch model school is a testament to how far the school has come in its journey toward the creation of a high quality educational program for students,” said Assistant Superintendent Rosalie Baker. “Our teachers, support staff and administrators are working hard to create an environment in which students have the resources and the desire to be successful, and they all deserve a big 'Congratulations!'."

The school received recognition as a School to Watch for implementing replicable practices focused on academic excellence, responsiveness to the developmental needs of young adolescents; fair and equitable education for all students; and organizational processes and procedures that foster and sustain academic growth. The Schools to Watch program works across the nation with state departments of education to identify model schools that can become learning resources for other educators across the United States.

Though it is extremely rare for any district in the nation to have multiple schools recognized, Reyburn is the fourth Clovis Unified school named a Schools to Watch.  Reyburn now joins Alta Sierra, Kastner and Clark intermediate schools on the list of exceptional schools in the nation.

“Even as the Governor continues to gut funding for schools, Reyburn and Clovis Unified are getting the job done for students, and continuing to stand for excellence in education for California's next generation.  Reyburn's staff, students and parents deserve to be recognized for putting a priority on learning."