Download January 17, 2017 Dear Allegheny Valley Parents/Guardians: The

January 17, 2017
Dear Allegheny Valley Parents/Guardians:
The District has been made aware of a confirmed case of MRSA (a type of staph infection) at Springdale
High School. Due to HIPAA regulations, we cannot provide additional information about the individual, but
would like to reassure you that we are working closely with our nursing staff on the treatment and
prevention of MRSA.
Mrs. Conner, the school district nurse, has met with the high school administration to review all of the
preventative measures taken at the Allegheny Valley School District to try to eliminate the spread of
bacteria to provide a safe and healthy school environment for our students and staff.
I was informed of the case and we have met to review all of the preventative measures taken here at the
Allegheny Valley School District to try and eliminate the spread of the bacteria. I want to assure you that
we are doing all that we can to provide a safe and healthy school environment for our students and staff.
The following highlights some of the actions taken to date:
• The school nurse continues to follow up with the individual involved who has tested positive.
• We have and will continue to encourage good hygiene practices with our general student
population.
• Hand sanitizing dispensers are available in all district buildings; common areas such as the
restrooms are disinfected daily.
For more information, especially regarding symptoms, tests and diagnosis, and prevention, please visit
the Mayo Clinic’s website at www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mrsa/in-depth/mrsa/art-20047876 or
www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/understanding-mrsa. Additional measures are listed on
the reverse side to help prevent the spread of this and other infections diseases. The School District’s
website also contains valuable information regarding MRSA. If there are any questions, please do not
hesitate to contact the school nurse.
Sincerely,
Patrick Graczyk,
Superintendent of Schools
Allegheny Valley School District
HOW CAN YOU PREVENT THE SPREAD OF MRSA?
1. Wash your hands!
Hand washing is the most important thing to do to prevent the spread of MRSA.
Wash your hands:
• Before and after touching or dressing an infected area;
• After going to the toilet;
• After blowing your nose;
• Before handling or eating food;
• Before handling newborn babies;
• After touching or handling unwashed clothing or linen.
2. Athletes should clean practice/competition clothes and themselves daily.
3. Cover boils or other skin infections with a watertight dressing during the daytime.
4. Don’t share:
• Soiled towels, clothes or bed sheets.
• Grooming items such as nail scissors, tweezers, razors and toothbrushes.
5. Wash towels, clothes, bed sheets and other items that might have pus or MRSA on them
in a washing machine. No special washing temperature is recommended. Dry clothing
and linen in direct sunlight, if possible, as sunlight kills bacteria. All eating utensils and
dishes can be washed as normal.