District 57 offers online payment through the Illinois Treasurer’s Office using popular credit and debit cards.

 
The District has expanded its program of accepting online payments to include Student Fees, Transportation,
Lincoln Lunch Program and Kids’ Corner so consider using this convenient payment method.
 
Please follow this link to access our secure online payment system.

H1N1 Virus Information

This letter is written as a follow-up to our prior messages regarding the H1N1 (swine flu) virus outbreak. The parochial and public schools of Mount Prospect are now experiencing their first confirmed cases of the outbreak. District 57 health professionals have been apprised through our parents, and their physicians, that cases have been identified affecting students in the Westbrook Early Childhood program and in the primary grades at Fairview School. We assure you that this is an anticipated progression of the H1N1 outbreak, and is not a cause for undue concern. While initial advice in April was to close school programs, this is no longer the case, as a better understanding of the outbreak has been realized.

At this time, the Center for Disease control (CDC) recommends the primary means to reduce spread of influenza in schools and child care programs focus on early identification of ill students and staff, staying home when ill, and good cough and hygiene etiquette. Again, school closings are not recommended at this time, unless the magnitude of absenteeism interferes with the functioning of the school. Again, we have only isolated cases, and do not anticipate this changing before our schools close next week. We will continue to be vigilant and wish to stay in contact with you regarding the situation. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is continuing to work with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to monitor the outbreak.

We will do our best to keep you informed of the recommendations regarding safe practices in our schools.

At this time the health agencies are recommending the following for K-12 schools:

   1. Students and staff with influenza-like symptoms should not attend school for 7 days, even if symptoms resolve earlier. Students or staff who are still sick 7 days after becoming ill should continue to stay home from school until at least 24 hours after symptoms have been resolved.
   2. To prevent spread of respiratory viral infections in general:
         1. Ill persons should stay home from work or school to avoid spreading illness
         2. All persons should always cough or sneeze into their elbow or into a tissue and properly dispose of used tissues; and
         3. All persons should wash their hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and warm water, and avoid touching their eyes, nose and mouth.


Effective immediately, we ask that all families take the following additional steps:

   1. When you call in to report your child’s absence from school, please be specific about the nature of your child’s illness by reporting symptoms as described above.
   2. Be prepared to react promptly to a call from school if your child becomes ill with a fever above 100 degrees and must be sent home.

In summary, the outbreak of swine flu will be with us for some time and, to this point, has not been as severe as once feared. All of us working together will allow us to make our homes and schools as safe as possible.

For further information you can access the agencies mentioned in this letter at: www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/K12_dismissal.htm and www.cookcountypublichealth.org/swine_flu. Please feel free to contact your principal or school nurse should other questions arise.

Sincerely,
 

Bruce R. Brown, Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools

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