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11/11/2014

Posted by Marketing & Messaging at 11/11/2014 3:30:00 PM

Dallas ISD has been recognized on the national level for its proactive efforts in addressing the Ebola challenge. National Association School Nurse President Carolyn Duff noted the following:

"National Association of School Nurses (NASN) applauds the Dallas Independent School District (DISD) response to the recent Ebola occurrence in Dallas, Texas. DISD Health Services worked in concert with Dallas County Health and Human Services, as well as the Dallas County Emergency Operations Center following guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to plan for the protection of the health and wellbeing of the DISD school community. The school district provided body temperature scanners to district school nurses to facilitate assessments of students feeling ill with flu-like symptoms, and widely disseminated education and communication tools to students, families and staff. The Texas School Nurse Organization kept school nurses updated and linked to the most current news and processes related to Ebola virus. The response was efficient and timely."

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11/10/2014

Posted by News & Information at 11/10/2014 3:25:00 PM

As we look back on how our community worked through the Ebola challenge, many lessons have been learned. Dallas ISD will continue clear and transparent communications through our Health Updates page. We will also continue to monitor staff and students who may have been in contact or have traveled from areas affected by Ebola.

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10/20/2014 - 11:45 a.m.

Posted by News and Information at 10/20/2014 11:45:00 AM

Four Students Return to School One Day Earlier Than Expected

Four of five Dallas ISD students who have been cleared by health authorities to resume regular activities following an exposure to the Ebola virus returned to school this morning, one day earlier than expected.

The students were cleared at midnight to resume normal activities. They had been advised to come back to school tomorrow, October 21. The district learned this morning of the students’ intentions after they arrived at school.

“While we had planned on them coming back to school on Tuesday, they were obviously eager to return back to the school environment and decided on their own to attend,” said Superintendent Mike Miles. “Because they have been cleared by medical authorities and pose no health risk to any students or staff, we have no intent on sending them home. Their interest in getting back into school is encouraging.”

School counselors and staff, who had already been preparing for their return, welcomed the students upon arrival. Staff has been advised to watch for any signs of bullying.

In addition, 3 other students exposed to the virus who had previously attended schools in Richardson ISD will now be attending Jill Stone Elementary School at Vickery Meadow. Similar to the other five students, the 21-day waiting period for these students is over and the students pose no health risk to others. The students are scheduled to attend school at Stone tomorrow.

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10/16/2014 - 12 noon

Posted by News and Information at 10/16/2014 12:00:00 PM

Erasing the myths behind Ebola

There are a number of myths surrounding the Ebola virus, including the idea that it is an airborne virus.

Dr. Angela Moemeka, vice president and medical director of Community Health at Children’s Health System, helps dispel common myths and provides the facts surrounding the virus.

“It is not airborne,” said Moemeka. “It is a virus that is transmitted by direct contact with someone who has Ebola virus disease or direct contact with that person’s bodily secretions.”

Five Dallas ISD students who came in contact with the now deceased Ebola virus patient were placed in the district’s Homebound Program earlier this month to be monitored for a 21-day period. Well into the monitoring period, each of the students continue to be symptom-free and are expected to return to school at the conclusion of the 21 days.

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10/15/2014 - 1:30 p.m.

Posted by Marketing and Messaging at 10/15/2014 1:30:00 PM

Dallas County Health and Human Services clears Dallas ISD Teacher of any Risk for Ebola Exposure

This morning, shortly after 9 a.m., a teacher at Saldivar Elementary reported to the school’s clinic with a low-grade fever. The teacher lives in the same apartment complex as a second healthcare provider who has been preliminarily diagnosed with Ebola overnight.

Out of an abundance of caution, the school nurse properly notified the district’s Health Services department and the Dallas County Health and Human Services department. DCHHS was provided details about the teacher and her condition, as well as her possible contact with the healthcare provider.

After reviewing the circumstances, the Dallas County Health and Human Services Department provided assurance that the teacher has absolutely no risk of having been exposed to the Ebola virus. The teacher has been referred to her doctor to address her symptoms.

Classes at Saldivar will continue as normal. A letter is being sent home to parents about the situation and a meeting for parents to hear from health officials has been scheduled.

Dallas ISD continues to be in close coordination with officials from the City of Dallas, Dallas County, and the Centers for Disease Control. The district will continue to provide updates as information becomes available.

Dallas ISD has provided a number of resources on its Health Updates page (www.dallasisd.org/healthupdates) and strongly encourages all parents, staff, and community members to educate themselves on Ebola.

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10/15/2014 - 8:10 a.m.

Posted by Marketing and Messaging at 10/15/2014 8:10:00 AM

Overnight it was announced that a second healthcare provider who treated Thomas Eric Duncan, the Dallas patient who died of the Ebola virus last week, has tested positive for the virus. The individual is in the hospital and isolated.

Dallas ISD has been able to confirm that the healthcare provider does not have any children in the district and has not been notified of any staff members or students having had contact with the second healthcare provider. It is important to note that the Ebola virus can only be transmitted when an infected individual is exhibiting symptoms.

The five Dallas ISD students who were possibly exposed to Mr. Duncan continue to exhibit no signs or symptoms of the virus and continue to be monitored twice daily. As noted in last week’s Dallas ISD Health Update, these students will not return to school until they have not exhibited signs or symptoms of the virus for 21 days.

According to the Texas Department of State Health Services and the CDC, if a person exposed to Ebola does not contract the virus within 21 days of exposure, it is definitive that they do not have the virus and therefore have a zero percent chance of contracting the virus (unless exposed again) or transmitting the virus to someone else. The district encourages students, parents, staff, and the community to learn about Ebola using the resources posted at www.dallasisd.org/healthupdates.

The city of Dallas, Dallas County Health and Human Services and the CDC notified residents in the area where the second healthcare provider lives and are already taking steps to clean all known potential areas of contact to ensure public health. For more information, call 311 or Dallas County Health and Human Services at 214-819-2004.

Dallas ISD continues to work closely with local, state, and federal health agencies and will continue to provide updates as information becomes available.

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10/12/2014 - 2:00 p.m.

Posted by News and Information at 10/12/2014 2:00:00 PM

It was announced late last night that a healthcare provider who treated Thomas Eric Duncan, the Dallas patient who died of the Ebola virus last week, has tested positive for the virus on a preliminary test conducted by the Texas Department of State Health Services. The CDC is conducting additional tests to confirm the diagnosis.

Dallas ISD has been able to confirm that the healthcare provider does not have any children and the district has not been notified of any staff members or students having had contact with the healthcare provider. It is important to note that the Ebola virus can only be transmitted when an infected individual is exhibiting symptoms. The healthcare provider self-monitored twice daily and drove to the hospital upon exhibiting symptoms.

The five Dallas ISD students who were possibly exposed to Mr. Duncan continue to exhibit no signs or symptoms of the virus and continue to be monitored twice daily. As noted in Friday's update, these students will not return to school until they have not exhibited signs or symptoms of the virus for 21 days. According to the Texas Department of State Health Services and the CDC, if a person exposed to Ebola does not contract the virus within 21 days of exposure, it is definitive that they do not have the virus and therefore have a zero percent chance of contracting the virus (unless exposed again) or transmitting the virus to someone else. The district encourages students, parents, staff, and the community to learn about Ebola using the resources posted at www.dallasisd.org/healthupdates.

Dallas ISD continues to work closely with local, state, and federal health agencies and will continue to provide updates as information becomes available.

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10/10/2014 - 4:25 p.m.

Posted by News and Information at 10/10/2014 4:25:00 PM

Dallas ISD continues monitoring of Ebola situation

A week and a half after learning five Dallas Independent School District students had possibly been in contact with the first confirmed case of Ebola in the United States, the district continues to carefully monitor the situation.

At this time, all five students have no signs or symptoms of the virus. They remain home from school as they complete their 21-day home stay directed by Dallas County Health and Human Services. They continue to be served through the district’s Hospital/Homebound program to ensure they are receiving academic support during their prolonged absence.

The district continues to answer questions in English, Spanish and Vietnamese from parents who have questions about Ebola. During weekdays, parents can call the district’s main number at (972) 925-3700. For those needing information in Spanish, the number is (972) 925-5880. For Vietnamese assistance, the number is (972) 925-5889.

For questions regarding Ebola, you can also contact the CDC hotline at 1-800-232-4636.

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10/8/2014 - 8:30 p.m.

Posted by News and Information at 10/8/2014 8:30:00 PM

Dallas ISD continuing to monitor developments with the Ebola virus

The Dallas Independent School District continues to monitor developments with the Ebola virus and is deploying staff to assist where help is needed.

Today, following the news of the death of Ebola patient Thomas Duncan, the district sent letters home to parents at every school to direct them to online resources about the disease.

In addition, counselors and psychological services teams were sent to the campuses where five students who were exposed to the virus more than a week ago attended. Those students, who are now being served through the Hospital/Homebound program, do not show any signs or symptoms of having the disease. Nurses at the five campuses continue to make rounds and assist staff and students with any concerns.

The district continues to answer questions in English, Spanish and Vietnamese from parents who have questions about Ebola. During weekdays, parents can call the district’s main number at (972) 925-3700. For those needing information in Spanish, the number is (972) 925-5880. For Vietnamese assistance, the number is (972) 925-5889.

For questions regarding Ebola, you can also contact the CDC hotline at 1-800-232-4636.

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10/8/2014 - 10:20 a.m.

Posted by News & Information at 10/8/2014 10:20:00 AM

Dallas ISD extends sympathy to Duncan family

The Dallas Independent School District is saddened to learn of Mr. Thomas Duncan’s passing and extends its sympathy to his family and loved ones. Today our thoughts are with our students who knew Mr. Duncan.

The district will make available counseling services to students and staff most affected. We understand Mr. Duncan’s passing may raise additional questions surrounding the Ebola virus. The district has posted a number of online resources on its Health Updates page that families may find helpful regarding the virus. To date, the five students who possibly had contact with Mr. Duncan still do not show any signs or symptoms of the virus and therefore are not contagious. They continue to be served through the district’s Homebound program during the 21-day observation period.

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