[Apswel] A Letter from the Superintendent of Schools

[West Elementary School Mailing List]

ANDOVER PUBLIC SCHOOLS

              36 Bartlet Street

           Andover, MA 01810

              (978) 623-8501

          FAX (978) 623-8505

 

 

 	 
SCHOOL COMMITTEE:   

Arthur H. Barber, Ed.D. Chair

Debra Rahmin Silberstein, Esq., Secretary

Richard J. Collins

Anthony H. James, Ph.D

David S. Samuels, DMD

 

Claudia L. Bach, Ed.D

Superintendent of Schools

cbach at aps1.net

 

November 16, 2007

 

Dear Andover Public Schools Families and Staff,

 

I am writing to inform you that since my last letter to you in which I
discussed precautionary measures we were taking to prevent infections,
we learned that one of our students has been diagnosed with MRSA
(methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus).  The Principal where that
student attends school has informed the parents and staff, and has
outlined steps taken there to disinfect the building.  I have asked all
our principals to continue to redouble efforts to clean high risk areas
in all schools, and to remind staff to reiterate to our students
instructions about hand washing and general hygiene.  Please note that
the child is fine now and back in school.  

 

According to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health,
Staphylococcus Aureus, (sometimes referred to as "staph" or "staph A")
is a common bacterium found on the skin of healthy people. One
antibiotic commonly used to treat staph infections is methicillin. While
methicillin is very effective in treating most staph infections, some
staph bacteria have developed a resistance to methicillin and can no
longer be treated by this particular antibiotic. That is why these
resistant bacteria are called Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus
Aureus or MRSA.

 

We know that staph infections are common, and that most of them,
including MRSA, do not typically pose a serious risk to the patient.
Even so, we are eager to do all we can to ensure our students and staff
are in safe and clean schools.  I have included again the fact sheet
from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health that provides
valuable information about protecting against skin infections, and I
urge all parents to review that information with your children.  You
also can find additional information specifically for schools at the
following websites.

 

Centers for Disease Control:      
http://www.cdc.gov/Features/MRSAinSchools/

Massachusetts Department of Public Health:  
http://www.mass.gov/dph/cdc/antibiotic/mrsa_school_health.htm

 

In addition, on November 9 there was an informative article in the Eagle
Tribune that I am including:  

http://www.eagletribune.com/pulife/local_story_313115609?keyword=topstor
y/

 

As I stated in my last message, the health and safety of our students
and staff are my first priorities.  If you have any questions, please
contract your family doctor, your school nurse, or the Andover Public
Health Department.

 

Sincerely,

 

Claudia L. Bach 

 

 

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