ISC successfully implemented many safety and hygienic practices in order to help curb the spread of the H1N1 virus. While the threat from the flu epidemic has greatly diminished in Brazil, ISC will continue to reinforce good health practices with students, employees and their families.

Here are a few of the things we will continue to emphasize with our students to help control coming in contact with any type of virus:

·         Frequent and thorough washing of hands with soap and water is important

·         If we have to sneeze or cough due it into a tissue or into the elbow area of your arm, wash hands afterwards as necessary

·         Keep your hands away from your mouth and eyes

·         Avoid touching common surfaces

·         Don’t share school supplies, toys, etc. for the time being

·         If you feel sick or hot be sure to tell your teacher right away

·         Don’t be embarrassed if you need to go to the main office to be checked for flu symptoms (it’s for your good as well as that of others)

FAMILIES SHOULD UNDERSTAND and CAREFULLY FOLLOW THESE GUIDELINES

SYMPTOMS - If flu symptoms occur within your family please do the following:

·         GO TO DOCTOR if any of your family members complain of flu symptoms such as fever, lethargy, lack of appetite, coughing, sneezing, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.  In most cases Swine flu symptoms are the same as seasonal flu viruses.

·         DO NOT send your children to school if your child or any member of your immediate family is sick.  The health guidelines that we have received ask us to tell parents to keep their children at home.  We recommend they stay home for 3 days even after they feel fine just to be on the safe side and to help ensure they are not contagious to others.  It is important that you honor this request to ensure not inadvertently spreading any type of sickness.

TRAVEL - Important information if you or any of your family members have traveled:

• Our ISC community is highly mobile with our families traveling throughout the world for business and family reasons.  Therefore, it is important for everyone to be on the alert and to take proper precautions to reduce risk and avoid contracting the virus.  Just as important should a member of our community contract the virus it is critical that they help prevent the virus from spreading.
• If a family member has traveled to or from an infected area in the world where an outbreak of swine flu exists, then all members of the family must be especially vigilant for any signs of flu symptoms.  If no flu symptoms exist within the family, then students may come to school.  The school reserves the right to ask the family not to send members of the family to school, depending on the travel circumstances and the extent of the swine flu infection rate around the world.
• The school also reserves the right to contact parents and ask them to take their children home should we recognize any of the flu like symptoms.  Please understand and accept the importance of cooperating with this request.  It is for the benefit of all involved.

If you happen to travel, please pay close attention to your health during the 10 days after your return. If, during this time, you have a fever, cough or breathing difficulty, immediately consult your physician.

DRIVERS should be advised of the precautions listed above.  We are keeping all of our staff and contracted service people advised of the actions taken and we ask your support informing others who have access to the ISC campuses.

CONTACT THE SCHOOL if anyone in your family is suspected of having Swine Flu or any other serious illness so that we can consider other students and adults who may have been exposed to them for safety purposes.  In this way we can just keep closer observation on these individuals. 

In the event of another outbreak of the flu, ISC will assist by doing the following:

·         EXTRA DISINFECTING AND CLEANING by the custodial staff of common surfaces at school such as door knobs, handles, desks, tables, and other common areas

·         SCREENING OF VISITORS to the school

• REGULARLY MONITOR STUDENTS and ADULTS while at school for any signs of flu like symptoms that might warrant isolating or sending the person home.
• REGULARLY MONITOR WORLD and REGIONAL EVENTS by daily viewing the CDC and WHO websites.  If it appears that the swine flu outbreak will have an immediate effect on our school community, then we will inform you of a more aggressive set of steps toward addressing safety and seeking to continue teaching and learning in a safe environment.  In an exceptional case consultation with the school board will occur to consider if any changes in the school schedule or cancellation of school should be considered.
• INSTRUCTIONAL GOAL is to maintain the school’s learning program in a safe and secure environment and plan to be able to do so if we maintain strong communications and remain vigilant about ensuring family members stay at home rather than coming to school, even if the illness or discomfort is uncertain.
• COMMUNICATIONS is important in order for everyone to understand any changes in schedules or school activities.  Please refer to our link on the ISC webpage for up to date information and websites.  Following are some of the ones we have been monitoring: