H1N1 Information

Dear  New  Trier  Community,       

With  incidences  of  the  H1N1  flu  increasing  in  the  Chicago  area  and  throughout  the  country,  we  want  to  keep  you  informed  of  steps  that  New  Trier  High  School  is  taking  to  address  this  health  issue.   We  continue to monitor  information  from  the Cook  County  Department  of  Public  Health,  the  Centers  for  Disease  Control  and  daily  media  coverage  regarding  the  H1N1  virus,  vaccine,  prevention,  and  recovery  guidelines.   We  have  not  seen  an  increase  in  the  absence  rate  at  New  Trier  this  week,  but  we  continue  to  monitor  attendance  rates  daily.   As the flu outbreak  evolves,  it  is  important  that  we  review  its  impact  on  our  school. 

Here  is  some  current  information  that  you  should  know  about  H1N1  and  the  availability  of  the  vaccine. 

  1. New  Trier  High  School  receives  guidance  from  the  Cook  County  Department  of  Public  Health.  At  this  time,  CCDPH  has  decided  to  hold  voluntary  vaccination  clinics  in  suburban  grammar  and  middle  schools.   One  or  two  high  schools  (not  including  New  Trier)  were  also  selected  to  pilot  the  clinics.  The  health  department  has  ranked  schools  by  zip  codes  using  factors  including  population,  poverty  level,  and  access  to  health  care  to  determine  the  order  in  which  clinics  will  be  held.   The  clinics  likely  will  not  be  completed  until  January  2010. 
  2. The  Cook  County  Department  of  Public  Health  has  made  it  clear  that  high  school  students  in  suburban  Cook  County  should  go  to  prvate  providers  and  public  and  private  clinics  if  interested  in  getting  the  vaccine;  the  CCDPH  does  not  plan  to  conduct  clinics  in  most  high  schools  at  this  time. 
  3. Students  and  staff  are  strongly  encouraged  to  stay  home  if  sick,  especially  with  a  fever  of  100  degrees  or  greater,  and  stay  home  for  24  hours  after  being  fever  free  without  the  aid  of  fever  reducing  medications  such  as  Tylenol  or  Advil.   Prevention  is  the  most  effective  way  of  slowing  the  spread  of  this  disease.   We  encourage  you  to  practice  the  three  C’s:
    a. Clean‐Frequently  wash  hands  with  soap  and  water  and  use  hand  sanitizer  when  soap  and  water  are  not  readily  available. 
    b. Cover‐Cough  or  sneeze  with  a  tissue  or  sleeve,  avoid  touching  one’s  eyes,  nose  or  mouth,  and  wash  hands  especially  after  coughing  or  sneezing. 
    c. Contain‐If  sick,  distance  yourself  from  others.  Stay  home  and  get  well.  
  4. Information  about  flu,  vaccines,  and  good  health  practices  is  readily  available  to  the  public.   Please  refer  to  the  following  websites  for  helpful  information   and  additional  resources:

Cook  County  Department  of  Public  Health:   www.cookcountypublichealth.org/flu  
Illinois  Department  of  Public  Health:   www.idph.state.il.us
Centers  for  Disease  Control:   www.cdc.gov or  www.flu.gov
North  Shore  University  Health  System:   www.northshore.org

If  you  have  any  questions,  please  contact  Health  Services  (847‐784‐2108  at  the  Winnetka  Campus  and  847‐784‐7513  at  the  Northfield  Campus)  with  your  questions  or concerns. 

Dr. Linda Yonke
Superintendent
New Trier Township High School District 203

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Dear New Trier Families,

We have good news about H1N1 vaccination clinics for our community. The Skokie Health Department is sponsoring four community H1N1 vaccination clinics on December 3,6, 9, and 12.  All Illinois residents who qualify as a member of one of the priority groups have been invited to participate. The clinics will be held at the Oakton Park Community Center located at 4701 Oakton Street in Skokie. The clinics will be by appointment only and can be scheduled online at www.skokie.org.

The current national priority groups which will be served by these clinics are:

  • Pregnant women  
  • Parents and caregivers of infants less than 6 months of age
  • Persons age 6 months-24 years
  • Persons age 25-64 years with underlying health conditions
  • Healthcare workers

Please see the attached flyers for further information. Though we remain in contact with the Cook County Department of Public Health, we do not know if New Trier High School will be allowed to sponsor a clinic.  Please take advantage of this opportunity if you are interested in receiving the vaccine.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Health Services at either campus (Winnetka Campus 847-784-2211/Northfield Campus 847-784-7513).

Timothy Hayes
Assistant Superintendent for Student Services
New Trier High School