Swine Flu Prevention

Many people are expected to get Swine Flu in the coming weeks and months. According to the Centers for Disease Control, “The symptoms of swine flu in people are expected to be similar to the symptoms of regular human seasonal influenza and include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. Some people with swine flu also have reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.” Fortunately, it is not life-threatening (for most people) as was first thought. But it’s a serious flu, and there are things we can do to limit its spread—and to protect ourselves.

The swine flu vaccine is not yet ready for mass distribution. It is likely to be out in mid-October. The recommendation is that if you are in one of the risk groups, you should get the vaccine when it becomes available. It requires two doses. You should also get the vaccine for the seasonal flu. According to the CDC, “Groups at higher risk for influenza related complications are similar to those at higher risk for seasonal influenza complications and include: children younger than 5 years old; adults 65 years of age and older, pregnant women, people of any age with certain chronic medical conditions (for example, asthma, diabetes, lung disease, people with weakened immune systems, etc.) and people younger than 19 years of age who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy. For children younger than 5 years of age, note that the risk for severe complications from seasonal influenza is highest among children younger than 2 years old.”

Swine flu precautions:

• Wash your hands with either soap and water or alcohol gel. Regular washing with soap and water is always best, but use the gel if you don’t have access to soap and water. (We have asked the District about providing alcohol gel in all classrooms. They are in the process of getting an epidemiological opinion on whether this is expected to make a difference worth the substantial cost.)

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too. Stop the practice of shaking hands as a greeting.

• Stay home when you are sick. You’ve heard of absenteeism. “Presenteeism” is the new term used to describe when workers come to work ill.

• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing or do it in the crook of your arm, then wash your hands. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.

• Practice other good health habits. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food. Get your immune system into good shape to help fight any illness. A person's overall health impacts their body's immune system and can affect their ability to fight off, or recover from, an infectious disease.

• In case of an emergency, including a flu pandemic, keep a supply of food, water and medical supplies on hand.

· Teach your students not to share drinks, food, and utensils. To sneeze and cough in the crook of their arm. And to avoid touching their faces.

· OSHA is recommending employers encourage school staffs to practice social distancing by maintaining a separation of at least six feet from other staff, students and the public. This will obviously be difficult in a classroom situation, but see what you can do.

For more information on how to maintain a healthy classroom visit the CDC’s site.

Sick Kids in your classroom? Not sure?

· Send them to your School Nurse. If they have flu symptoms, they will be sent home. They should be kept home for 24 hours after the symptoms end, without fever-reducing meds.

· Schools are trying to set up separate waiting areas, for sick kids to wait for parental pick up. Masks for them are also available.

Are YOU sick?

· Tell your School Nurse your symptoms, so she can track what is happening at your school, re flu, virus, etc this winter.

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Northshore Educational Support Professionals Association 425-486-7101 ext 103

Improved Personal Leave!

We are delighted to report on an improvement to our Personal Leave. Please read this complete email, for how to ACCESS this improved personal leave.

In late Spring, at one of our monthly “Labor- Management” problem-solving meetings with Jeff Sherwood, we (Deb Murphy and Marge Mitchell, NESPA Co-Presidents, and Judy Ellis, Bargaining Team Chairperson, and me) suggested a change to the NESPA Agreement, to make it similar to the NSEA Agreement and to new Board Policy on personal leave.

This proposal was accepted, and ratified by the NESPA Board. As a result, personal leave can now be used for ANY personal matters. No reason needs to be given. (The previous language stated that personal leave was not to be used for “recreational purposes.”)

In addition, the blanket restriction on using personal leave adjacent to a break or holiday weekend have been removed. Now, up to 15 NESPA members—the first 15 requests--may use personal leave on a day adjacent to a holiday or vacation break. (A similar limitation, though higher, is in the NSEA Agreement. We all want to ensure that there is adequate staffing in our schools, and sufficient substitutes to cover absences. The Human Resources Dept. is working on ways to implement the 15 person limit; you do NOT need to contact HR or the sub office about whether you qualify under this limit. If you are not one of the first 15 on such a day, you’ll be informed of that.)

Please note that we must continue to COMMUNICATE IN ADVANCE our intention to take a leave. Whether your school requires that you schedule leaves with your principal, vice principal, or the office manager, you do need to schedule it at least one week in advance, except in cases of unanticipated circumstances. Please continue to use this professional courtesy and required process. Personal leave continues to be recorded on your time sheet.

Here is the actual REVISED contract language:

33.10 The District shall grant each employee two (2) days of personal leave, figured at the actual hours worked per day, with pay for personal reasons.

33.20 Personal leave can be taken in half-day increments and may be used for personal matters. No more than fifteen (15) employees may use personal leave on a day adjacent to a holiday or vacation break. Only the first fifteen (15) such requests on any given day shall be granted.

33.30 Personal leave shall be cumulative to a maximum of six (6) days.

33.40 Personal leave, except in cases of unanticipated circumstances, will be scheduled at least one week in advance.

NESPA appreciates the cooperation of HR Director Jeff Sherwood, HR Executive Director Laurie Ferwerda, and Supt. Larry Francois in making this possible.