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Pertussis (Whooping Cough) Declared Epidemic by California State Health Officer (English) (Español)

Dr. Mary Maddux-González, Sonoma County Health Officer, urged local residents to get vaccinated to protect themselves and their families against pertussis. Pertussis, a serious vaccine preventable disease, has risen to epidemic levels in California and Sonoma County. The disease causes prolonged coughing attacks that can be fatal in to infants and young children. “Parents, family members and caregivers of infants are urged to get vaccinated for pertussis as soon as possible. In nearly 50 percent of cases among infants, parents are the source of the disease. Therefore, it is critical at this time for parents, caregivers and those living with infants to get the pertussis vaccine.”
For more information visit the Sonoma County Public Health website.

Guidance to Parents About School Attendance If Flu-Like Symptoms Occur In a Child: Download
Swine Flu: A Guide for Parents Information for Families Living in Sonoma County

What is swine flu?
Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a type of flu usually seen in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can happen. Most human cases of swine flu happen in people who are around pigs but it is possible for swine flu to spread from person to person.

Are people infected with swine flu in Sonoma County?
No. There have been no cases of swine flu reported in Sonoma County. There have been cases reported in California and other parts of the United States. Health officials are watching for any local cases.

Is swine flu contagious?
Yes. Swine flu is contagious and can spread from human to human.

What are the signs and symptoms of swine flu in people?
The symptoms of swine flu are like those of regular seasonal flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and tiredness. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting with swine flu. Like seasonal flu, swine flu may make other chronic health problems worse.

How do you catch swine flu?
Spread of swine flu can occur in two ways:

• Through contact with infected pigs or environments contaminated with swine flu.
• Through contact with a person with swine flu. Human-to-human spread of swine flu can occur in the same way as seasonal flu. Influenza is spread mainly through coughing or sneezing of infected people.

How long can an infected person spread swine flu to others?
People with swine flu are likely to be contagious as long as they have flu symptoms and possibly for up to 7 days from when they first become ill. Children, especially younger children, may be contagious longer.

What can I do to protect myself and my family from getting sick?
Everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of flu. Take these steps to protect yourself and your family.

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• If you get sick with flu, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.

What should I do if someone in my family gets sick?

If you become ill with flu-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, contact your doctor health care provider, particularly if you are worried about your symptoms or if they are severe. Your doctor will determine whether testing or treatment is needed. If you are sick, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness to others. Do not send your child to school if he or she is sick.

Can I get swine flu from eating or preparing pork?

No. Swine flu is not spread by food. You cannot get swine flu from eating pork or pork products. More information on swine flu can be found at www.cdc.gov/flu/swine, or call 1-800-CDC-INFO.

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Windsor is very fortunate to have had four of its schools win the California Distinguished School Award. Award-winning schools are great neighbors to a community! When bond rating institutions such as Moody's and Standard and Poors score a school district's credit worthiness, award-winning schools and sound fiscal practices provide "factors" in the ultimate bond rating. Award-winning schools also relect positively on individual property values. With increased property values come greater local tax revenue through property taxes. These increased values provide for greater revenue and services to the entire community.

"The Windsor community has many dedicated and caring individuals working to serve students." This quote was part of the state's validation team review in recognizing Brooks Elementary and Windsor Creek Elementary Schools as 2010 California Distinguished Schools.

Both schools were commended for their instructional programs and services to their respective subgroup populations (English Learners, Special Education, and economically disadvantaged).

The exemplary practices cited for Windsor Creek mentioned that "every student is a reader through Reading Counts and every student is a writer through Writing By Design." The school's third curricular area was the implementation of its new math program enVision, aligned to the California Standards. The exemplary practices cited for Brooks Elementary focused on its Writing By Design approach, and increasing student proficiency and its articulated math program enVision, and how it increased its California State test performance scores. Their facilities and environment were also areas of commendation and recognition.

The District is very proud of the employees from both schools. The community joins together in extending our congratulations for the successful educational partnerships of Windsor Creek Elementary and Brooks Elementary School students, families, faculty, and staff!

windsor unified school district news

Summary of 2007-2008 Audit

 Mattie Washburn Kinder Registration Form English Spanish

Please print form, fill it out and bring to Mattie for registration. More information here.

WUSD Weather-Related School Closing Procedures

Winter sometimes brings with it weather severe enough to affect the operation of schools. A decision whether to open or close schools during inclement weather is a difficult one. If school is canceled at 6:30 AM and by 8:00 AM the skies are clear and the roads dry, it was the wrong decision. Conversely, an open school beset by a day of power outages, cold food, and flooded streets is also a wrong decision.

Sometimes closing school is an easy call, such as the floods of ‘95. Other times the decision is more difficult. In borderline situations, the District will consult with the County Office of Education, District maintenance and transportation staff, weather services, and any other agency with information helpful in making the decision. Determination for school closings will be made by 6:30 AM or so, before the buses begin their runs.

When the issue of closing schools is unclear by 6:30 AM, we apply the following criteria:

• What is the weather forecast for the day?
• Can the buses transport students to and from school safely?
• Are the schools capable of taking the students for the day?
• Is there sufficient staff who can get to work to provide for the students?
• Will food service be available for students?

The current District practice is all Windsor schools will be open or all will be closed.

As a general rule, the District will try to keep the schools open. The District and schools are well aware that schools provide stability for many working families, and a change to the routine can seriously disrupt schedules and plans. The District will close schools only when it is determined that there is no other alternative.

If the District determines that school will be open, the schools will be open all day. No child will ever be sent home without parent notification and consent. In cases of extreme emergencies, proper arrangements for students’ safe transportation home will be arranged only following parental notification.

Even though the schools may be open, of course the ultimate choice of whether or not to send a child to school rests with the parents. If parents have personal concerns because of location or situation, they have every right to keep their child(ren) home from school.

Though school is open due to extreme weather, sometimes changes must be made. If bus routes must be changed or normal pick-up times delayed, those circumstances will be announced over the radio, or individual families will be notified by phone. In conditions of severe weather or late morning buses, the District routinely conducts follow-up bus run sweeps to ensure all students arrive safely at school.

To account for all contingencies in the event of bad weather, children are best served when prepared to deal with the elements - weather-proof clothes are very helpful in these situations. With careful preparation, sound judgment, accurate weather forecasting, and clear communication, we anticipate a safe winter season.

Any questions about the school closure procedures or suggestions for system improvement are welcome, and may be made to the Superintendent’s office at 837-7701. Thank you for your cooperation and support.