Educating for Life on Earth and in Heaven
215-947-4086
bacs.email@bacs-gc.org
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The Bryn Athyn Church School seeks to provide children with an education based on the teachings of the New Church to prepare them to become confident, caring and useful citizens of this world, and of the Lord’s heavenly kingdom.
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Pertussis Information
January 7, 2011
Dear BACS Parent/Guardian,
We are happy to report that the Montgomery County Health Department (MCHD) has declared the outbreak over! No new cases of pertussis were reported from our school community to the health department over the Christmas break. (The last laboratory confirmed case was December 10th.) Few students have been absent since our return to school and those absences do not reflect pertussis symptoms. Teacher feedback has indicated very little coughing in our student body. We are lifting the coughing exclusion guidelines and returning to our normal sick day policy. The end of the outbreak is a tribute to the broad-based efforts of our community. Pertussis cases in our surrounding communities remain and it is possible new cases will emerge at BACS. As a result, we will continue to maintain a high level of surveillance by continuing to track absences and symptoms. You can help us stop the spread of the disease by providing us with symptom updates when you call in an absence.
We also wanted to alert you that flu cases are on the rise in our area. Three deaths were reported in Montgomery County over Christmas break. These deaths all involved young people (ages 2-32), two of whom did not have any underlying health conditions. The health department reports that the flu shot appears to be a good match for the three circulating strains of flu. They are urging all people over the age of 6 months to consider getting a flu shot this season. They have provided flu vaccine free of charge to Allyn Simons at the Doering Clinic (ANC campus). Flu vaccines are available at the ANC Doering Clinic for the following people: all teachers and staff at BACS, ANC, and BAC; all students high school aged and up; and all adult community members. If you or your family members are interested in getting a flu shot through the Doering Health Clinic, please arrange an appointment by calling: (267) 502-2546. Families with younger children are encouraged to contact their pediatricians to receive the flu vaccine. Free flu vaccines are available through the Montgomery County Health Department at the Willow Grove office. (Willow Grove Eastern Courthouse Annex, 102 York Road, Suite 401, Willow Grove, PA 19090) on Fridays from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm. No appointment is necessary.
We pray that you had a restful Christmas break and look forward to a healthy start to the New Year.
Please continue to take care of others by taking care of yourself.
Sincerely,
Dr. Reid Prichett, Headmaster
Mrs. Kathy McQueen, RN, School Nurse
November 18, 2010 Update
New Pertussis Protocol as of November 18th
Dear BACS Parent/Guardian,
Bryn Athyn Church School requests your assistance in stopping the spread of pertussis to other community members. We now have nine confirmed cases and a host of suspected cases. To better protect people in the community we are intensifying our vigilance and expect you to do the same to eradicate this harmful organism.
Bryn Athyn Church School is now taking the steps below to stop the spread of this highly contagious disease.
All coughing students and adults will be excluded from school until:
1) They complete 5 days of appropriate pertussis antibiotics OR
2) They test NEGATIVE for pertussis AND are cleared to return by the Montgomery County Health Department OR
3) They remain at home for 21 days from when the physician first documented coughing AND are cleared to return by the Montgomery County Health Department.
The Montgomery County Health Department recommends option #1 above.
If you have any further questions or concerns regarding these recommendations, please do not hesitate to call the Montgomery County Health Department, Division of Communicable Disease Control at (610) 278-5117. It was noted by a parent at our most recent Director’s Council Meeting that the health department has been very helpful in expediting testing and providing access to antibiotics.
Report all symptoms to Liz Childs by calling (215) 947-4086.
Please direct questions regarding the steps above to Kirsten Cronlund (215) 947-4086 x214
Please contact your physician to discuss the health of your child(ren). Should your doctor show reluctance to test for pertussis, please stress that we are experiencing an outbreak and that they should communicate with the Montgomery County Health Department.
Please do not contact Kathy McQueen about pertussis related issues, unless she contacts you.
Thank you for your cooperation in creating a healthy environment at BACS. We apologize for any personal inconvenience this has caused you and we hope that these efforts will head off future cases of pertussis. We will provide ongoing communication if our situation changes.
Sincerely,
Dr. Reid Prichett
Mrs. Kathy McQueen, RN.
Tdap Booster Clinic
Dtap (diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis) booster clinic for 6th-8th grade students. The clinic will provide free boosters and is being held at the Doering Clinic (on the ANC campus) Wednesday, November 10 from 1 PM – 5 PM. For more information see Letter to parent/gaurdian of 6th to 8th grade parents concerning Tdap booster clinic
Tdap vaccine "What you need to know" information sheet
November 7th, 2010 Update
Letter to parent/gaurdian of 6th to 8th grade parents concerning Tdap booster clinic
November 3th, 2010 Update
5 total pertussis cases letter 11-3-2010
November 2nd, 2010 Update
3rd pertussis case letter 11-2-2010
October 28th, 2010 Update
2nd Pertussis case letter 10-28-2010
October 13th, 2010 Update