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"Dear Franklin Families,Today at school we experienced a high rate of absent students due to vomiting and fever. During the course of the day, we had a number of students who vomited on campus and were sent home. The school is working directly with the Florida Department of Health, who visited the campus this afternoon. They have taken samples from the school and we are awaiting an official diagnosis, but the concern is that due to the speed in which the illness spread throughout the school population, we may have a Norovirus (Stomach Bug).We have already taken steps to sanitize the building this evening. We will have a large crew of workers systematically cleaning the building from top to bottom. A Norovirus spreads by contact with an infected person or by touching a contaminated surface or eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water. Norovirus particles can even float through the air and then settle on surfaces, spreading contamination.Due to the fact that a Norovirus can be transmitted to others for at least three days after being sick, we ask that if your child or anyone in your family experiences any diarrhea or vomiting, you should contact your healthcare provider to discuss their symptoms and whether they need to be seen in their office, or remain at home. Unless your healthcare provider suggests otherwise, we ask that you keep your child home for at least 72 hours after they or any of your family member becomes sick.The Department of Health and the CDC recommend the following steps to prevent the spread of further illness, which you may want to follow in your own homes.1) Clean up surfaces\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0 - Clean frequently touched surfaces with soapy water\u00A0 \u00A0\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0 - Rinse thoroughly with plain water\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0 - Wipe dry with paper towels\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0 - Dispose of paper towels2) Disinfect surfaces\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0 - Prepare and apply a chlorine bleach solution (1/3 cup bleach + 1 gallon of water)\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0 - Air dry surfaces unlikely to have food or mouth contact\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0 - Rinse all surfaces intended for food or mouth contact with plain water before use3) Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and waterDue to today's events, the Character Parade originally scheduled for October 31 has been postponed until Monday, November 4th.***IN AN ATTEMPT TO LIMIT THE SPREAD OF THE SUSPECTED VIRUS, THE SCHOOL WILL BE LIMITING THE GATHERING OF LARGE GROUPS OF STUDENTS AND ALL HOT BREAKFAST AND LUNCH SERVICE WILL BE SUSPENDED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. ALL STUDENTS WILL EAT THEIR MEALS IN THEIR CLASSROOMS AND SHOULD BRING FOOD FROM HOME.***Please understand that we are doing everything possible to ensure the health and safety of all of our students and staff.Thank you for your cooperation.Dr. David ThomasBoard Chair"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.wpbf.com/article/letter-from-franklin-academy-to-parents/1319408>