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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.
Download a pdf of this press information.
Windsor Middle School Recognized as a 2009 California Distinguished School
Last week, Windsor Middle School Principal Lisa Saxon received a phone call with great news directly from State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell: Windsor Middle School has been selected as a 2009 California Distinguished School.
This prestigious award identifies and honors schools that are leaders in academic achievement. However, this year, additional selection criteria required schools to provide in-depth descriptions of two "signature" practices that are replicable, that impact student success, and clearly demonstrate progress toward closing the achievement gap among all student learners. The two practices that Windsor Middle School was singled out for are the English Language Development Program, and their Vertical and Horizontal Math Articulation and Math Interventions.
Principal Lisa Saxon summarized the excitement and reaction of her team in receiving this recognition as "…especially affirming for us to serve as a positive beacon of light for the district, and to show our community that even in these difficult financial times, good things are happening in schools, teachers are focused on continuous improvement, and students are achieving at high levels."
For more information about the programs offered to Windsor Middle School students, and students throughout the Windsor Unified School District, visit us at www.wusd.org.
Download a pdf of this press release.
Windsor Unified to Offer Modified Summer School Program
Due to state budgetary reductions the Windsor Unified School District will be offering a modified summer school program for current students in grades 7 - 12. This smaller program will concentrate on those students needing full-credit makeup in English, math, history, science and physical education.
The program will be hosted at Windsor High School. Middle school students will attend from 8:00-11:45 a.m. starting June 8th ending July 3rd (four weeks). High school students will attend from 8:00 a.m.-1:15 p.m. starting June 8th ending July 10th (five weeks). The school lunch program will be available to summer school students. However, there will be no transportation services provided for any general education students.
Students and parents will be notified through their counseling department about their student's eligibility. This year's summer school offering is for full-time attendance only with no partial course make-up allowed. Students meeting partial course make up will need to attend night school in the fall, which will begin the first of September.
This program change is significant and should generate a $30,000.00 savings in program cost.
Download a pdf of this press release.
New Windsor Unified School District Web Site Design
Windsor Unified School District announces the release of its new school district web site design.
In addition to the clean, friendly new design, the school district's objective was to provide easier navigation. The site was designed from the point of view of web users, so that information is easy to find. Separate tabs put "like" information together for students, parents, and staff. This new design is also friendly to users of different computer platforms.
A notable addition to the site is the Pay Fees tab, which allows parents to pay school and transportation fees on-line. Each school page provides a home page link, with a Map Quest link, school facts, principal information, and a parent contact email link. Coming soon will be the "My Student" tab that will allow parent access to individual student records.
The clean, modern, professional look of the website reflects the advanced educational opportunities available through the Windsor Schools. Visit us at www.wusd.org and learn about the award-winning Kindergarten SKOR reading program through to the many offerings at Windsor High School - Among the high school's many learning "Pathways" are Culinary Arts, Digital Media, Pre Med, Advanced Placement, Honor, Fine Arts, and Environmental Studies.
Download a pdf of this press release.
windsor unified school district news
Summary of 2007-2008 Audit
2/8/09 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.
WUSD Board of Trustees Authorizes Refinancing of Bonds for Taxpayer Savings
The School District issued bonds in 1994 and 1996 to construct needed facilities. The current environment in the interest rate market is favorable for the District to refund outstanding bonds in order to generate savings and reduce property taxes.
At the October 19, 2004, Board meeting, the Windsor Trustees adopted a resolution authorizing the refinancing of the bonds. The resolution authorized District Superintendent Steve Herrington to develop the necessary paperwork to complete the refinancing.
The District's 1994 general obligation bonds are callable any time after August 1, 2004, and have been an average coupon interest rate of 6.08% - well above the current Bond Buyer Index Rate of 4.54%. The difference suggests that the District could realize savings through refunding. The conservative estimate of a refinance saving to the taxpayers is $750,000 over the next 15 years.
The transaction will occur as soon as the District's financial advisor determines that the market is favorable to generate the desired savings. It is estimated that refinancing of bonds will be completed by between mid-November and mid-December, at the most optimum time.
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