San Fernando ASJA Primary PTA

Dec 3rd, 2018

Salaams and Good Night All,
Kindly note the Ministry of Health conducted their relevant inspections and indicated that the school is conducive for the resumption of classes. However, if parents decide to send their ill children back to school this can once again compromise the classroom environment with the virus which can lead to more kids becoming ill.
Parents, we are once again urging you to keep your child at home if they are ill and continue to show signs and symptoms, or even if they recently stopped exhibiting symptoms since they may still be carrying the virus.
The school administration has indicated that children found to be ill will be sent home.
We thank you for your careful consideration in this sensative issue and trust that you will make the right decision for your child's well being and the well being of those around them.

With best regards
PTA Executive.
San Fernando ASJA Primary

Salaam and good day parents
Further to our previous notifications we have been advised that in spite of no assistance from the Ministry of Health or Ministry of Education, the school has properly sanitized the school over the past few days. Notwithstanding this, reports continue to come in of new cases of gastro and hfm disease. We understand there has been no school wide decision on the postponement of end of term exams, however, some individual classes have chosen to delay for fear of returning to school and risking infection.
We, as the representative body of the parents therefore advise of the following :
1) Children who have been ill or recovering SHOULD NOT be sent to school until a doctor has given them clearance to do so. Such certification should be brought to the Principal.
CONFIRMED cases SHOULD also be reported to your class teacher and Principal.
2) All other children should be kept away from school for the next 2 days. This will allow for the proper ventilation of the classes and identification of other infected children who may be incubating the viruses.
While we are unable to formally close the institution or defer the examinations, we can seek our children's welfare and keep them at home.
We have listened to your concerns and have taken the above action. A further update shall be provided on Tuesday after reassessing the situation.

Kind Regards,
PTA Executive.

Salaam and good day all,
Contrary to the recent article in the newspaper regarding the recent outbreak, we the PTA executive believe that it is imperative for you, the parents and teachers to be made aware of the facts.
This will better equip you in making an informed decision regarding the health and safety of all our children.
We have multiple confirmed cases of BOTH gasteroenteritis and HFM virus. These cases have been confirmed by doctors and the Regional Health Authority.
We are urging parents who have children with or suspect their children of having symptoms, to please keep their children at home. We would also like to take the opportunity to say that we hope and pray for a speedy recovery.
Parents of children who are not showing symptoms will have to make a personal decision on whether or not their child should resume school this coming week.
Again, the statements made by the Hon. Minister are inaccurate and issue must not be taken lightly. During the course of today we will provide a further update on this situation and proposed actions.

With kind regards
PTA Executive

Reports of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease Infections at San Fernando ASJA Primary School

San Fernando, November 29th, 2018 - Over the past two days there have been reports of children of the San Fernando ASJA Primary School showing symptoms of the Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD). To date there have been 3 confirmed cases along with several additional suspected cases according to the Ministry of Health. There have also cases of other students showing signs of vomiting and diahorrea which appears to be contagious.
While these illnesses are not fatal and pose no long-term threat to otherwise healthy individuals, this issue has been met with great concern and attention by the school’s administration and the Parents and Teachers Association (PTA). Our main priority is and will continue to be the Health, Safety and wellbeing of the student and teaching population of our institution.
The Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education have been contacted and have been conducting meetings and investigations with parents and teachers. Meetings have been held today between Parents, Teachers and Ministry of Health along with Department of Public Health representatives took place today to sensitize all parties to the nature of HFM and how at risk parties should respond.
Updates on the situation are also being provided to the Ministry of Education.
In accordance with instructions from the relevant authorities school sanitization efforts have commenced as early as yesterday and additional cleaning and sanitization supplies have been purchased. Sanitization continues today and will be repeated over the weekend.
As representatives of the parent body we share the concern expressed by parents and teachers and wish to reassure all stakeholders that all efforts are being made to manage this situation. We take this opportunity to remind parents to keep children at home who show symptoms or are suspected of having contracted HFM or any other illness and seek medical attention immediately. We also ask that a certificate of clearance be given by a medical practitioner prior to returning to school. While we as the PTA do not have the authority to instruct parents as to their actions regarding school attendance, those who are concerned about the risk of their child/children potentially being infected should take action which is in the best interest of their child as there is no school activity which should take priority over this.

The school’s administration will be in consultation with the authorities to determine the appropriate actions to be taken by parents next week. To ensure that there is no miscommunication on this issue, we kindly ask that parents and other stakeholders contact the school administration or PTA directly for updates in the coming days.

On behalf of San Fernando PTA Executive

To all parents:
As of today, November 28th, 2018 there have been a number of confirmed cases of Hand Foot and Mouth disease in our school. There have also been a number of cases of gastroenteritis which appear to be viral and spreading across students.
Please be assured that we are working with the school's administration and providing all support possible.
The school administration is in contact with the relevant authorities and there is a meeting with the Ministry of Health carded for tomorrow at 9am to sensitize parents. In the interim, we sincerely ask that parents keep children at home who have been confirmed as carrying the illness or are showing symptoms which include fever, vomiting and rashes. In such cases we ask that you promptly consult a doctor.
For parents who are concerned about their child contracting the illness, we hear your concerns and recommend that you do what you think is best in terms of sending your child to school.
We empathize with each of you and ask for your support to navigate this issue successfully.
Please feel free to contact the PTA for further information.

From the San Fernando ASJA Primary PTA executive.

Congrats to our young aspiring boys! Don’t stop there!

Just in time for the new term with proceeds from our walkathon!

Dear Parent, Guardian, Teachers

You are cordially invited to attend a general PTA meeting on Tuesday 27th March 2018 @4:30pm.
Agenda: 1) Review of Walkathon
2) Plans for projects & expenditure

Please make every effort to attend.

Asalaamu Alaikum and good night all,
our humblest apologies for the t-shirt distribution. The printers had some delays which affected us. We'll be there early tomorrow to sought out the process in the fastest possible time god willing.