Friendswood ISD has a wellness campaign underway to help  prevent illnesses due to flu, including the H1N1 flu strain.  The district is promoting hand washing, the use of sanitizers and proper respiratory etiquette for students and staff in an attempt to keep them from getting the flu.

            While FISD did not have a reported case of H1N1 (formerly referred to as the Swine Flu), the district cannot predict that the pandemic flu will not attack staff or students during the upcoming flu season. Helping district members stay well is being proactive for keeping members free of possible cases that would be in the area.
            Bales Intermediate School Nurse and District Lead Nurse Barb Steinhauser along with three fifth grade students at Bales worked with District Videographer Joe Perez in preparing a district video on proper hand washing techniques as well as how to apply sanitizer and use napkins/paper towels to turn off water and turn door knobs.
            Windsong Intermediate School Nurse Kimberly Sheets and students representing their campus are part of a video on proper respiratory etiquette. This involves how to sneeze and cough in ways that will not put germs into the air for those close by to catch.
            When completed, the two videos will be part of Comcast’s Channel 16 (FISD TV), the website and the Health Watch page.  Viewers will be able to access the two from the district website also.
            “We are not sure if this strain of flu will return or if we should consider it a threat at this time but being prepared in a way that teaches students and staff wellness techniques is a great way to prepare for its return as well as promote good hygiene practices,”  FISD Superintendent Trish Hanks said. “We also want to encourage parents to please keep their children home when they have fever and are sick and to isolate them from other family members and friends.”
            Galveston County has had 57 Human Cases of H1N1 Flu Infection as of August 7, 2009. 
            For more information, check out  Health Watch at http://www.fisdk12.net/parents/healthwatch.html. Viewers can check county, state and national links for additional flu information on this page.