Fort Meadow PTO Newsletter

PTO meetings are held on the third Friday of the month at noon. child care is available for children starting at age 2. If you are unable to make a meeting but would like to participate contact one of the officers for more information.

 

2008-2009 Officers

President
Laura Maloney
Secretary
Sandra Fitzgerald
Treasurer
Tammy Smith
Fundraising Chair
Maria Diaz
Newsletter Chair
Erin Carrier

 

 

 

 

 

 

An Ounce of Prevention

 

In a recent memo the Massachusetts Department of Health along with the Department of Education recommended a number of simple things which parents, child care givers and educators could do to help prevent the spread of influenza including the Swine Flu. Here is an excerpt from that memo.

It is also important to teach your children how to reduce their risk of getting the flu and how to protect others from becoming infected.

  • Teach your children to wash their hands often. Washing with soap and hot water for at least 20 seconds in ideal (that is about as long as it takes to sing the "Happy Birthday" song twice).
  • Teach your children the proper use of hand sanitizer. Gels, rubs, and hand wipes all work well, as long as they contain at least 60% alcohol. Hand wipes must be disposed of properly.
  • Teach your children to cough or sneeze into your sleeve - not their hands! Cover coughs and sneezes with tissues or by coughing into the inside of their elbows. They should wash their hands after blowing their nose or coughing into a tissue.
  • Teach your children to avoid touching their nose, mouth or eyes. They should keep their hands away from their face.

If we all practice good hygiene, health officials believe we can limit the spread of swine flu in our schools and child care centers. This is an evolving situation and recommendations may change as more information becomes available. Our agencies will continue to provide guidance as the situation changes. Thanks in advance for your patience and for your help in spreading the message about the importance of prevention.

Taken from a memo dated April 29. 2009 authored by: John Auerbach, Commissioner of Public Health; Mitchell chester, Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education; Sherri Killins, Commissioner of Early Education and Care