Office of the Superintendent 
FAIRFAX COUNTY 8115 Gatehouse Road 
PUBLIC SCHOOLS Falls Church, Virginia 22042 

May 7, 2009 

Dear Parents and Guardians: 

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) has been working with the Fairfax County Health 
Department (FCHD) to monitor the progression of the 2009 H1N1 influenza (swine flu). The 
FCHD follows the guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and provides guidance to 
the school system. On May 5, the CDC revised its guidelines regarding school closure based 
on a better understanding of how the virus is evolving. The new guidance from the CDC does 
not recommend closing schools. 

While the spread of the H1N1 flu from person to person continues, the severity of the virus does 
not appear to be any more severe than seasonal influenza. However, FCHD is recommending 
the following: 

• 
Keep children with influenza-like symptoms (fever plus a cough or sore throat) at home and 
out of school for at least seven days, even if symptoms go away sooner. If children are still 
sick after the seven-day period, keep them at home until at least 24 hours after the 
symptoms have ceased. If children have flu-like symptoms, they should not participate in 
any school activities, including school age child care (SACC), or be out in the community 
except to seek medical care. 
• 
If a child appears to have an influenza-like illness when he or she arrives at school, a parent 
or guardian will be notified and asked to pick up the child. Please ensure that your school 
has your contact information and that you pick up your child if you are called. 
• 
Help your child understand the importance of covering his or her nose and mouth when 
coughing or sneezing. Also, emphasize washing hands with soap and water, especially 
after a cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based sanitizers are also effective when soap and water 
are not available. Avoid contact with those who have flu symptoms. Please model these 
behaviors for your child. 
I greatly appreciate your help as we work together to reduce the spread of influenza. We 
assure you that FCPS and FCHD will continue to follow this situation. Updated information is 
available on the FCHD web page at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/hd/flu/swineflu.htm and on the 
FCPS web page at www.fcps.edu. If you have additional questions, please contact your school. 

Sincerely, 
Jack D. Dale 
Superintendent of Schools