Dear Parents/Guardians:

The following information is being provided to you as we prepare for another Minnesota winter.

Mankato Area Public Schools utilizes the services of two transportation carriers, serving 3,962 public and nonpublic school students daily. Many bus routes include transfer points and stops at several facilities which makes our student bus transportation system quite complex. The decision to alter our instructional day due to weather includes a number of variables, but the center of our decision-making is the safety of students and staff.

School closing and early dismissal notices will be provided on the following websites, radio and television stations. There will also be a recorded message on the District HELP Line at 507-386-4777.

www.isd77.org

katoinfo.com

KTOE

KEEZ

KDOG

KMSU

KXAC

KRBI

KYSM-AM and FM

KMKO

ΚΑΤΟ

KXLP

mankatofreepress.com

southernminnesotanews.com

mankatotimes.com

keyc.com KEYC 12 - TV

KSTP-TV

KARE 11-TV

WCCO Radio and TV

FOX 9/MY29-TV

You can also obtain information through the following resources:

Subscribe on Twitter @ISD77MAPS

• Follow on Facebook at: Mankato Area Public Schools

Subscribe to receive email or text messages at www.isd77.org; click on the "News" button

If schools need to dismiss early, announcements will be made well before buses are scheduled to depart from schools. It takes approximately 1 1/2 hours for our transportation providers to prepare for an early departure. When early departures are called, please limit phone calls to your student's school, allowing school personnel to continue to work to ensure a safe and timely end to the instructional day.

The following guidelines may be helpful to parents/guardians:

Given the severity of conditions, parents may wish to meet the bus at the bus stop. Families should have an alternate plan in the event buses are unable to return students to their homes. Students should always be appropriately dressed for the weather as emergencies may result in dangerous situations. Principals will excuse those students whose parents/guardians request to pick up their child(ren) early. Please do not park in bus loading zones or block bus entrances or exits, as the buses must move quickly. On inclement weather days when the District decides to have school, parents and guardians should make the final decision as to whether their child(ren) should attend school. If you do not send your child(ren), please call the school(s) to report the absence. A student who is not in school will be excused but marked as absent. Students will be expected to make up any missed school work.

Safety is the top priority for all of us, and the school district appreciates your support as we work together to navigate our winter months.

Sincerely,

Paul Peterson, Superintendent

Protecting Yourself and Your Family Influenza (Flu) Information for Parents

What is influenza (flu)? Influenza is a contagious respiratory disease that can be prevented by immunization. It is not the same as the “stomach flu.” Flu is caused by a virus that attacks the nose, throat and lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness and at times can lead to death.

What are the symptoms of influenza? Influenza symptoms come on quickly in the form of fever, dry cough, sore throat, headache, extreme tiredness, stuffed-up nose and body aches. These symptoms can be severe and put you in bed for several days.

What if you think your child has the flu?

• Keep your child home from school if they have a fever of 100 degrees F or greater. The

student may also need to stay home if they have a sore throat and/or coughing that disrupts

their daily activities and ability to concentrate.

• Have your child rest and drink lots of fluids.

• Antibiotics will not help a person recover from the flu because flu is caused by a virus, not

a bacteria.

• Children may need fever reducing medications to keep their fever under control. Follow

your child's doctor's instructions.

• If you are concerned that something does not seem right with your child, call your doctor

or clinic.

What can you do to protect your child and family?

• Get vaccinated. Everyone 6 months of age and older should get a flu shot every year.

• Avoid being exposed to others who are sick with a flu-like illness.

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, or cough/sneeze into

your sleeve.

• Clean your hands often - with soap and water or an alcohol-based, waterless hand sanitizer.

• Do not share drinking cups and straws.

Frequently clean commonly touched surfaces (door knobs, refrigerator handles, phones, water faucets).

Call your child's school if your child is home with an influenza-like illness. If you have any questions or concerns contact the nurse and/or health service at your child's school.