Emergency Information
Laura Bishop, WA Crisis Management Team Director E-Mail: bishopl@wacad.edu
Regular information for all late breaking news can be obtained on this web page, at the school's recorded telephone message center @ 954-771-4615 x 8910, 954-776-5561, and through the automated phone message sent directly to your home or cell phone number.
H1N1 Flu Update
Flu Information
As you may know, flu can be easily spread from person to person. Therefore, we are taking steps to reduce the spread of flu at Westminster Academy. One student in lower school, and two students in the upper school, have tested positively for influenza. Some parents have heard on the news this morning that Westminster Christian in Miami has had a flu outbreak, but thought that they heard it was Westminster Academy. Westminster Academy is not having a flu outbreak.
We are working closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the health department to monitor flu conditions and make decisions about the best steps to take concerning schools. We will keep you updated with new information as it becomes available.
For now we are doing everything we can to keep our school functioning as usual, including disinfecting classrooms and locker rooms well. Here are a few things you can do to help:
Teach your children to wash their hands often with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub.
Teach your children not to share personal items like drinks, food or unwashed utensils, and to cover their coughs and sneezes with tissues. Covering up their coughs or sneezes using the elbow, arm or sleeve instead of the hand when a tissue is unavailable.
Know the signs and symptoms of the flu. Symptoms of the flu include fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit, 37.8 degrees Celsius or greater), cough, sore throat, a runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, and feeling very tired. Some people may also vomit or have diarrhea.
Please keep sick children at home for at least 24 hours after they no longer have fever or do not have signs of fever, without using fever-reducing drugs. Keeping children with a fever at home will reduce the number of people who may get infected.
Please do not send children to school if they are sick. Any children who are determined to be sick while at school will be sent home. If you have any specific concerns you may contact our school nurse, Laura Stevenson, RN at 954-771-4615 ext. 2524 or at stevensonl@wacad.edu.
For more information, visit www.flu.gov or call 1-800-CDC-INFO for the most current information about the flu.
Thank you for providing your child(ren) with a Westminster Academy foundation. Their safety and well being is a top priority for us.
Severe Weather Procedure Letter Grade 6-12
Please be reminded of the following procedure which will be implemented in the event there is an extreme weather condition (severe lightning, tornado, massive rain down pour):
After School Student Pick-Up Severe Weather Procedure Sixth through Twelfth Grade Parents
First, go to the regular pick-up location at the church. A sign will be posted informing you when the severe weather plan is in effect. When the sign is posted, please remain in the parking area until 3:20 pm, so the elementary line can clear.
Secondary school students will be dismissed for pick-up in front of the gym at 3:20 pm. The gym will be the holding area for all secondary students during pick-up time.
Enter pick-up line through the open gate at 22nd Ave. (the regular procedure for elementary school parents).
If you have elementary, middle and high school children, you must go through the elementary line first, then return for the 3:20 pm pick-up of your older child.
Secondary students who are not picked up in front of the gym will be permitted to leave only when the weather permits. This includes student drivers.
Parking in front of the gym will not be allowed. We will release students to you as you arrive.
Preprimary through third grade pick-up remains at the same designated areas regardless of weather.
Please call 954-771-4615 X8910 after 2:15 pm to determine if a severe weather plan is in effect.
As this will be a long and tedious process, your patience is requested and appreciated. Your child’s safety is our utmost concern.