Along with health and government organizations across the state, the Belton School District has been preparing for both the normal seasonal flu as well as the H1N1 flu. H1N1 flu is similar to the seasonal flu but is caused by a new influenza virus that has not previously circulated making it more easily spread. 

Every year, people get sick with the flu - especially during the fall and winter months. This year there is heightened awareness of the flu. We encourage you to read through the information below and adopt healthy habits as we enter flu season.

During the coming months, as a way to communicate what effect, if any, the flu or other illness is having in our schools and in our community; we will share the district's average weekly attendance rates. This information will be published in Quick News and will be posted on this web page.

The average attendance for Dec.10-16 was 94.69 percent.

The health and well-being of our students and staff is our top priority and we continue to take precautionary steps. Please feel free to contact your child's principal or school nurse if you have questions or concerns.

For up-to-date information about the H1N1 flu, visit the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website, http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/ . The CDC website also includes tips on how to stay healthy. It is important to remember that the H1N1 strain of influenza appears to be no more serious than the regular seasonal flu. Additional information can also be found on the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services website, http://www.dhss.mo.gov/BT_Response/_H1N1Flu.html.

As is our procedure with any potential for infectious disease, the Belton School District is working closely with the Cass County Health Department and a number of other organizations to help ensure a healthy and safe environment for students.

A few tips that will help children and adults avoid the flu and keep from spreading the disease follow.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends 4 main ways you and your family may keep from getting sick with the flu at school and at home:

• Practice good hand hygiene by washing your hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow or shoulder; not into your hands.
• Stay home if you or your child is sick for at least 24 hours after there is no longer a fever or signs of a fever (without the use of fever-reducing medicine). Keeping sick students at home means that they keep their viruses to themselves rather than sharing them with others.
• Get your family vaccinated for seasonal flu and 2009 H1N1 flu when vaccines are available.