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As I am sure you are aware, influenza can be spread easily from person to person. ALS
is, therefore, taking steps to reduce the spread of flu at the school, especially in light of
developments regarding the HINI virus. We are doing everything we can to keep our
school functioning as usual, but we need your help to do this.
Here are the ALS guidelines to prevent the spread of flu:
*Check your child each morning prior to sending him/her to school. If your child has a
temperature 37.8°C = 100°F or higher and/or has flu symptoms, such as severe coughing
or sneezing, runny nose, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, fatigue, vomiting or
diarrhoea, please keep him/her at home.
*If your child becomes ill during school hours, you will be notified immediately and will
be asked to pick up the child from the appropriate clinic as soon as possible. If you are
not able to pick up your child yourself, please make arrangements for transportation and
care at home.
*If your child has a fever and/or flu symptoms, he/she will be given a facemask while
waiting to be picked up. It is not recommended that healthy students and staff wear masks
at school.
*Students with a flu-like illness should stay at home until at least 24 hours after they no
longer have a fever or signs of a fever. This should be determined without the use of
fever-reducing medication (any medicine that contains ibuprofen or acetaminophen). This
is to prevent them from infecting others and spreading the virus further.
* Since younger children are more vulnerable to catching flu, children in K to Grade 3
are advised to stay at home for 7 days after developing flu symptoms, and should be
fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications before
returning to school.
* At this point there is no need for siblings of students with flu symptoms to stay at home
but they should be monitored closely.
*If you have concerns about your child missing an exam or being absent, please contact
your school principal for more information.
* Inform the doctor (2070926 ext 211) if your child has been diagnosed with the HIN1
virus or if your child stays at home with a fever and/or flu symptoms. The names of
infected students will be kept confidential.
*If you are traveling out of Riyadh, please assign a guardian who can take care of your
child during your absence and inform the Girls’ principal(2070926 ext 216) or the Boys’
Principal(2070926 ext 222). You may also email the appropriate Principal. An ill student
(any grade!!) will not be sent home without permission from the parent or assigned
guardian.
Other things you can do:
Teach your children to wash their hands often with soap and water or an alcoholbased hand rub. You can set a good example by doing this yourself. Students can take a
sanitizer to school to keep on their desk if they wish to do so.
Teach your children not to share personal items like drinks, food or unwashed
utensils, and to cover their coughs and sneezes with tissues. Covering up their coughs or
sneezes using the elbow, arm or sleeve instead of the hand when a tissue is unavailable.
Remember:
*Not every flu virus is the HINI virus. Be aware that during autumn and winter, many
children and adults suffer from colds or influenza.
*Most people who are diagnosed with the (HINI) flu virus recover on their own, without
hospital admission or specific medication.
*Be vigilant, but don't panic. Rumours are spread easily. If you have any questions or
concerns, please contact the Principals – Victor Eid at veid@alsschools.com or Kathy
Khayatt at kkhayatt@alsschools.com
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