[HenleyMatters] Henley Updates

Wed Oct 24 17:20:04 EDT 2007

October 24, 2007

	PATSO Meeting Agenda
	MRSA
	Election
	Make a Difference Day

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PATSO Meeting Agenda

Monday, October 29, 2007 at 7:00 PM in the Library

	Welcome

	Principal’s Report

	Decision on the Hive

	Make a Difference Day Follow Up

	Treasurer’s Report

	Parent Council Liaison

	Green Team Report

MRSA

October 18, 2007

Dear Community,

Recent reports about the presence of a staph infection called  
Methicillin‐Resistant
Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) in Bedford, VA has caught our  
community’s attention. The
purpose of this letter is to help you to learn more about MRSA, steps  
you can take to stay
healthy and what our schools do to prevent the spread of infection.

MRSA is a common type of bacteria often found on the skin and in the  
nose of healthy people. It
is a common cause of skin infections. It normally does not cause  
disease unless it enters an
opening in the skin. It most often is spread by close contact with  
infected people or the things
they touch. It is not spread through the air.  See below to learn  
more about MRSA.

There are simple steps people can take to prevent MRSA and other  
staph infections:
• Wash hands with soap and water thoroughly and frequently.
• Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered.
• Avoid sharing personal items such as towels or sports equipment.
• Shower immediately after physical activity.
• Properly clean and disinfect sporting equipment.
• See a doctor if a sore or cut becomes red, oozes, causes pain or  
isn’t healing.

Our School Division is taking steps to reduce the spread of germs and  
infection:
• We are increasing employee awareness by providing information  
about MSRA and
prevention.
• We have increased and enhanced custodial cleaning efforts in  
schools. Our standard
procedure is to disinfect restrooms, health clinics and locker rooms  
in schools daily.
Custodians also will now disinfect daily doorknobs and handles, sinks  
and counters in
classrooms.
• We have shared information about prevention and control of MSRA  
for athletic teams
with our athletic directors and coaches.
• We have asked school Principals to remind students about the  
importance of hand
washing and to review proper hand washing with our younger students.

While MSRA is found commonly in the environment and can’t be  
eliminated, routine cleaning
and good personal hygiene practices can greatly reduce the risk of  
infection.  I encourage you to
talk with your health care provider or a school nurse to learn what  
you can do to keep your
family healthy and of low risk for staph infections.

Sincerely,

Dr. Pamela R. Moran
Superintendent

Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus

(From the Virginia Department of Health)

What is MRSA?

Staphylococcus aureus (“staph”) is a common type of bacteria  
(germ) that is often found on the skin and in the nose of healthy  
people. It can also grow in wounds or other sites in the body,  
sometimes causing an infection.  For example, staph is one of the  
most common causes of skin infections.  Penicillin is a drug that was  
once commonly used to treat staph infections. However, over time many  
staph bacteria have become difficult to treat with penicillin and  
antibiotics related to penicillin. These new or resistant forms of  
Staphylococcus aureus are called methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus  
aureus, or MRSA. The illnesses they cause are the same as those  
caused by other staph; the difference is in how they are treated.

Who is at risk for getting these organisms?

Just like normal staph bacteria, MRSA normally does not cause disease  
unless it enters an opening in the skin. However, some people are at  
higher risk for carrying MRSA or becoming infected with this type of  
staph.  MRSA more often occurs in people in hospitals and healthcare  
facilities. It can also occur outside the hospital in people who  
receive multiple antibiotics, as well as in people who have close  
contact with a person carrying the germ or by touching objects  
contaminated with MRSA (e.g., clothes, towels, bedding, athletic  
equipment, benches in saunas or hot tubs, bandages).

How are MRSA and other staph spread?

Staph bacteria (including MRSA) are most often spread by close  
contact with infected people or the things they touch. It is not  
spread through the air.

What are the symptoms of infection?

Many people carry staph bacteria on their skin without any symptoms.  
Symptoms of a MRSA or other staph infection depend on where the  
infection is located. Infections of the skin are the most common, and  
cause symptoms such as redness, warmth, pus and a wound that does not  
heal. Your doctor may refer to these infections as boils, furuncles,  
impetigo, or abscesses. Infections can also develop in the blood,  
bone, bladder, lungs, and other sites. Symptoms there will depend on  
the site of infection, but include fever and pain at the site.

What should I do if I think I have a MRSA or other staph infection?

See your healthcare provider.

Are MRSA and other staph infections treatable?

Yes. Some staph skin infections can be treated simply by draining the  
sore and keeping the wound clean. For more serious infections,  
antibiotics can be used to treat these infections. If antibiotics are  
prescribed by your healthcare provider, it is very important to  
finish taking all the pills and to call your doctor if the infection  
does not get better.

What can I do to prevent MRSA and other staph infections?

Wash your hands often, especially when you’re exposed to someone  
with an infection or when you touch objects that may be contaminated.
Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered.
Avoid sharing personal items such as towels, sports equipment,  
razors, etc.
If a sore or cut becomes red, oozes, causes pain or isn’t healing,  
see a doctor.
Don’t insist on antibiotics for colds or other viruses.
If prescribed antibiotics, take all the pills, even if you feel  
better before they are all gone.

Election

I would like to encourage everyone to vote on Tuesday, November 6.   
You will find a sample ballot for your precinct at http:// 
www.albemarle.org/department.asp?department=registrar&relpage=2667.

County Precinct / District Map

(You will need the Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this map.

Make a Difference Day

Reminder tomorrow is the final collection day for shoes and belts for  
Haiti.

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Mark Your Calendar

	October 22, Monday - 25, Thursday - Collection of Shoes and Belts  
for the Haitian Orphanage

	October 24, Wednesday - Fall Concert 7:00 PM at Henley

	October 24, Wednesday - Safety Forum for Families 6:30 - 8:30 PM  
WAHS Cafeteria

	October 25, Thursday - Make a Difference Day/Halloween Dance 4:00 -  
6:30 PM

	October 26, Friday - NO SCHOOL

	October 29, Monday - PATSO Meeting 7:00 PM

	November 5 & 6, Monday and Tuesday - NO SCHOOL

	November 6, Tuesday - Election Day - VOTE

	November 7, Wednesday - County Honors Band and County Honors Choir  
Concert at WAHS

	November 9, Friday - Fall Dance 4:00 - 6:30 PM

	November 16, Friday - Principal's Coffee 9:30 - 10:30 AM in the Library

Links

Dr. McLaughlin's blog at: http://henleyhornets.blogspot.com/

The Henley website at: http://www.k12albemarle.org/Henley/

The School Division website at: http://www.k12albemarle.org/
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