Important Letter about the Stomach Virus in the Schools from the Superintendent 12/9/12

On Friday, December 7th, there were 235 MKG students, in total, who
either called in sick before school opened or were sent home, who came
down with a fast spreading 24 hour stomach virus. A total of 25 MKG
teachers were ill with this virus as well. This stomach virus is
accompanied by vomiting and stomach cramps. It tends to last 24 hours.
There were some students from the HBB school who were sick as well. I
will follow-up on Monday morning to check in with HBB and MKG. It is
expected that most students will return to school on Monday. The
schools have been sanitized by custodians on Friday and Saturday.
We wish all students and staff who were ill the best and speediest
recovery from this 24 hour virus.
Thank you.

The following steps were taken during Friday, December 7th:

1. Superintendent was notified that students and staff were either out
ill or getting sick - morning.

2. Superintendent's office checked in with MKG Principal Jeff Cateon
and Head Nurse, Laurie Perkins, to confirm symptoms and ask general
questions and get answers.

3. Superintendent contacted Middleborough Board of Health to share the
situation. School Committee Chair, Sara Cederholm, was at Central
Office and was informed.

4. Board of Health contacted MKG and Head Nurse.

5. Board of Health and Superintendent agreed that custodians would
wipe down all surface areas throughout the day and on Saturday
(basketball that day).

6. Board of Health and Superintendent agreed that staff would use
non-alcoholic wipes in the classrooms to disinfect.

7. Superintendent asked Head Nurse, Laurie Perkins, to draft a note to
go home from each school (PreK-12) in the color blue explaining the
situation and the steps to take if a child was sick, etc.

8. School District sent an "alert now" to all homes indicating that
parents/guardians look for a blue sheet coming home in backpacks.

9. Superintendent spoke to MKG Principal on Sunday afternoon to check
in on any further news.

10. School Committee Chair, Sara Cederholm, checked in with
Superintendent on Sunday afternoon.