WEDNESDAY NOTE: January 31, 2018 FROM: Mrs. Mendoza

Hello Families, Thank you to everyone who celebrated Catholic Schools Week with us! We had a total of six days of celebration that included: Catholic Schools Week Mass, Knights of Columbus Breakfast, Grandparents and Special Persons Day, School Picnic, Open House, CSW Prayer Service, Staff Appreciation Luncheon and Staff Retreat. All of these events could not be done with the help of our Catholic Schools Week Coordinator: Deanna Piersawl. Thank you, Deanna, for your leadership! In addition, we have a long list of volunteers who helped plan, organize and execute this eventful week. Thank you to the following people who made this a memorable Catholic Schools Week for all: Jeanne Flohr-Keckemet - Annual Fund lead, Annual Fund bulletin board, CSW display in glass case Catherine Szeibert - Annual Fund, Grandparents/Special Special Persons Day set up Luis & Veronica Gomez- Knights of Columbus Breakfast Erika Munoz- Knights of Columbus Breakfast Dave & Stephanie Johnson- Knights of Columbus Breakfast Sarah Dardis – Knights of Columbus Breakfast Leilani Doherty - Knights of Columbus Breakfast Teddy Jimeno – Knights of Columbus Breakfast Mary Englin- Grandparents/Special Persons Day refreshments Lan Bausano - Grandparents/Special Persons Day refreshments Alex Narvaez - Grandparents/Special Persons Day & Open House set up/clean up Zewditu Abraha – Grandparents/Special Persons set-up Caroline Simerly – Grandparents/Special Persons clean-up Julie Mastandrea – Grandparents/Special Persons set-up, Staff luncheon clean-up Anna & Jose Martinez – Staff luncheon catering Andrea Filer- Staff luncheon invitations Sarah Coglianese – Student speaker editor Cathy Grimes – Prayer Service planner Elizabeth LaBelle – Music for Mass, Grandparents/Special persons day, Prayer Service and Staff Retreat Crystal Tran – Student speaker at mass Grace Clark- Student speaker at mass Collin Bale – Student speaker at mass Ryan Hoang – Student speaker at mass Ave Dimond – Prayer service student speaker

As Catholic Schools Week began, so did our Annual School Fund. This year’s goal is $145,000. In keeping to our green school efforts to reduce our carbon footprint, all school families were emailed a link to support the fund. You can also access the link by going to the main page of our school website: https://www.eservicepayments.com/cgi-bin/Vanco_ver3.vps?appver3=wWsk24ZWJSTZKsGd1RMKlg0BDvsSG3VIWQCPJNNxD8upkiY7JlDavDsozUE7KG0nFx2NSo8LdUKGuGuF396vbV5qz0EkTW13byokTMjQlUqXHubq5Z7ap5JVmPErc4ZeYHCKCZhESjGNQmZ5B-6dx1nWVX4ek0HWjUjAs8kU50o=&ver=3 Your tax-deductible contribution will help us continue to do the wonderful work we are doing to prepare faithful citizens and leaders of tomorrow. Thank you to the following parents, parishioners and staff members who’ve contributed to the fund so far: Hayley Bazinet, Antonio Bennett & Krystle Ziegler, Timothy & Audrey Beyer, Ed Dacy, Kylene Daligcon, Sean & Suzannah Daligcon, Joe & Katie Diorio, Sean & Leilani Doherty, Maureen Ekness, Mrs. Lillian Engen, Sean & Mary Englin, Deanna Fenner, John Keckemet & Jeanne Flohr, Mr. & Mrs. Martin Fore, Mr. & Mrs. Brent Gould, Gretchen Seibel Cathy Grimes, Dan & Tricia Harrington, Raymond & Diana Hautala, John & Vui Hoang, Dave & Stephanie Johnson, Abbey Kindt, Vincent & Elizabeth LaBelle, Joanne Leach, Brian & Sarah Louie, Bernie Maher, Mike & Teresa Mansanarez, Jose Martinez-Gonzalez & Anna Kakrzewska, Mr. & Mrs. Dominic Mastandrea, Gustav & Carol Mendoza, Thinh Minh Nguyen & Dung Vo, Anselmo & Maria Paraggua, Kevin & Deanna Piersawl, Colleen Rodland, Adrian & Eve Ruiz, St. Bernadette Seniors, Leanne Swanson, Stephen & Catherine Szeibert, Mr. & Mrs. Roger Wake, Mr. & Mrs. Phil Welch, Mr. John Wittman, Joseph & Shannon Wood, and Melanie Zottman “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much!” (Helen Keller) Sincerely Yours in Christ, Mrs. Mendoza Principal

Hopefully you have seen our emails starting with We have 191 beautiful reasons you should

support our Annual Fund; here are just a few. We have 191 students at our School who thrive thanks to

generous supporters of our Annual Fund. Tuition covers a portion of the cost to educate our students,

the rest of the monies are raised by the school.

If you have not received them, please check your spam folder or send your updated email address to

Jeanne Flohr.

This year's Annual Fund goal is $145,000.00.

How will you help?

Please join our faculty, staff, parents and parish community in your financial support of our School and

students.

Our Annual Fund runs all year but we hope to make our goal within the next month so fundraising efforts

may be spent securing more grants to fund program enhancements and building improvements at our

School. (Did you know we received a Fulcrum Foundation grant to replace and update lighting in the school?

Work will be done over summer!)

Giving to St. Bernadette Parish School has never been easier. Click here to securely make your gift and

support our scientists, readers, mathematicians, athletes, and stewards of our faith.

Watch your student's class progress on the Annual Fund board outside church. When a class reaches 50%

participation in the Annual Fund, they will get a free dress day; 70% participation earns an ice pop party; 80%

parent participation earns a night of no homework; and 100% participation earns the class all three again.

Thank you, in advance, for your support of our students and our School.

Click here to support our School.

Thank you to the following people for supporting our School with an Annual Fund gift:

Hayley Basinet, Antonio Bennett and Krystle Ziegler, Timothy and Audrey Beyer, Ed Dacy, Kylene

Daligcon, Sean and Suzannah Daligcon, Joe and Katie Diorio, Sean and Leilani Doherty, Maureen Ekness,

Mrs. Lillian Engen, Sean and Mary Englin, Deanna Fenner, John Keckemet and Jeanne Flohr, Mr. and

Mrs. Martin Fore, Mr. and Mrs. Brent Gould, Gretchen Seibel, Cathy Grimes, Dan and Tricia Harrington,

Raymond and Diana Hautala, John and Vui Hoang, Dave and Stephanie Johnson, Abbey Kindt, Vincent

and Elizabeth LaBelle, Joanne Leach, Brian and Sarah Louie, Bernie Maher, Mike and Teresa Mansanarez,

Jose Martinez-Gonzalez and Anna Kazrzewska, Mr. and Mrs. Dominic Mastandrea, Gustav and Carol

Mendoza, Thinh Minh Nguyen and Dung Vo, Anselmo and Maria Paraggua, Kevin and Deanna Piersawl,

Colleen Rodland, Adrian and Eve Ruiz, St. Bernadette Seniors, Leanne Swanson, Stephen and Catherine

Szeibert, Mr. and Mrs. Roger Wake, Mr. and Mrs. Phil Welch, Mr. John Wittman, Joseph and Shannon

Wood, and Melanie Zottman (list compiled 1/30/18 – if you gave a gift after compilation you are omitted. Check next week for an

update.)

To make a gift to the Annual Fund, please click here.

SLE Winners

Student expectation winners for the week of January 22nd – January 26th are as follows:

Kennedy Howe (Preschool) – Christian Responsibility, Perseverance, Problem Solving & Citizenship;

Vicki Martinez-Zakrewska (PreK) – Christian Responsibility, Problem Solving & Citizenship;

Leon Hoang (K) – Citizenship; Harshveer Purewal (1st) – Christian Responsibility, Perseverance,

Problem Solving & Citizenship; Hayden Pizan (2nd) – Perseverance & Problem Solving;

Natalie Nguyen (3rd) – Citizenship; Samuel Dawit (4th) – Problem Solving;

Tony Vu (5th) – Perseverance & Citizenship; Riley Halili (6th) – Christian Responsibility;

Berrhan Teferi (7th) – Christian Responsibility; Naomi Flores-Torres (8th) – Citizenship.

Thank you students, for modeling our school SLE’s!

2018 ST. BERNADETTE MUSICAL

Announcing our 2018 school musical……..The Jungle Book! Please mark your calendars for our mandatory parent meeting on Wednesday, February 21st at 6:30 PM in the Parish Hall. In this classic Walt Disney animation based on Rudyard Kipling's book, Mowgli, an abandoned child raised by wolves, has his peaceful existence threatened by the return of the man-eating tiger Shere Khan. Facing certain death, Mowgli must overcome his reluctance to leave his wolf family and return to the "man village." But he is not alone on his quest: Aided by Bagheera the panther, and later by the carefree bear Balloo, he braves the jungle's many perils.

Auditions will begin on March 2nd for all interested 4th-8th graders. Special Note: 3rd grade students who participated in last year’s musical are welcome to audition and will be casted on a case-by-case basis. Thank you to our Parent Producer: Caroline Simerly and our Set Designer: Shannon Wood who’ve agreed to serve these roles again this year! More parent volunteers are needed to make this another great production! Schedules and additional volunteer opportunities will be discussed at the parent meeting. We hope to see you there!

PLAYGROUND VOLUNTEERS ARE ALWAYS NEEDED AND WELCOME!

We never have too much volunteer help at recess.

Please plan to be a Playground Volunteer

CURRICULUM

● CLASS PICTURE DAY – Class Picture Order Forms were sent home in the Wednesday envelope. Class Picture Day is Wednesday, February 7, 2018. Only those students who have returned their order form and money by Class Picture Day will receive a class picture. Consider returning your Class Picture Order Form now and Mrs. Armstrong will hold it for Class Picture Day. ● PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES – Winter conferences are scheduled for Thursday, February 15, from 8:30 a.m. to 6:40 p.m., and Friday, February 16, from 8:30 to 11:35 a.m.. For grades PreK – 5 this conference is requested only by the teacher. If the teacher requested a conference, your request slip was sent home in last week’s Wednesday Envelope. For grades 6-8 this conference can be requested by either the teacher or the parents. If the teacher has requested a conference the request was indicated on the Conference Request Slip sent home in last week’s Wednesday Envelope. If parents in grades 6-8 want to have a conference, please complete the parent request portion on Conference Request Slip sent home in the Wednesday Envelope last week and return your request to the office. Completed conference slips are due back to the office by Thursday, February 1. If a conference has been requested and you do not return the conference slip, Mrs. Armstrong will schedule the conference date and time for you. ● YEARBOOK ORDER FORMS – 2017-2018 Yearbook Order Form were sent home in the Wednesday Envelope. Yearbooks are $22.00 and the deadline to order is March 30.

● STUDENT OF THE WEEK – The tradition of honoring 8th graders of the week continues. Each week an 8th grader receives a certificate and gets a huge candy treat from Mrs. Mendoza.

Week of January 29th – Rocky Etzkorn

GENERAL ● TACO TIME FUNDRAISER – Taco Time Coupon Book for a $1.00 donation were sent home. If you wish to purchase the Taco Time Coupon Book, please send $1.00 to the school office in an envelope marked “Taco Time Donation”. If you do not wish to participate in this fundraiser, please return the Taco Time Coupon Book in your Wednesday envelope. Contact the office if you would like to purchase additional coupon books. These Taco Time Coupon Books contain $5 worth of coupons. All proceeds will going to support Mary’s Meals.

ENCLOSURES:

- Annual Fund Weekly News - Panther CYO News - February 2018 School Calendar - February 2018 School Lunch Menu - The Flu: A Guide for Parents

St. Bernadette Panthers’ Athletic News

GO PANTHERS!

BASKETBALL 2017-18 St. Bernadette Panthers’ Basketball season has come to an end. They played their hardest to get into the post-season playoffs, but fell short. Please CONGRATULATE your fellow Panther Athletes on a good season. GOOD JOB PANTHERS!

VOLLEYBALL REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED. St. Bernadette Panthers will be hosting 3 teams for the 2018 Volleyball season. So, please welcome:

Coach Alex Narvaez – She will be coaching 4th Grade Boys and the 6th/7th Grade Girls teams. Coach Jeannet Gil – She will coaching our 8th Grade Girls team.

WELCOME TO PANTHERS ATHLETICS, COACHES!! If you have a child interested in playing, please contact Sophal Hamaker directly. Contact Sophal Hamaker if you are interested.

ITALIAN DINNER

DATE: February 24, 2017 VENUE: St. Bernadette Parish Hall

Please support our Panther Athletics by joining us for the Italian Dinner. If you cannot make it, please consider donating items (gift cards, gift certificates, bottles of wine, etc) for our raffle. It would be greatly appreciated. Flyer, Sponsorship Packet are attached. Volunteers are still needed for setup, kitchen duties, serving, and clean up. Sign up HERE to collect your hours! Our next meeting will be Thursday, February 8, 2018 at 630PM in the Parish Hall. Please plan on attending, if you are signed up to volunteer.

OTHER ATHLETICS NEWS Merchandise is available for purchase through the attached form and can now be purchased BEFORE and AFTER weekend masses. Bring your cash and checkbooks to support Panthers’ Athletics! If you are interested in joining the Athletic Association or assist in planning the Italian Dinner, please contact Sophal Hamaker.

GO PANTHERS!

St. Bernadette Panthers Merchandise Order Form

HOODIES ................. $30.00T-SHIRTS ................. $20.00SOCKS ...................... $15.00/PairBEANIE .................... $20.00Personalization ......... $7.002XL & Larger ........... $5.00

Design Qty Size Personalized Price

Total $

Checks are made payable to: St. Bernadette Athletics. Turn forms into Parish Office or School Office.

Any questions, contact Sophal Hamaker at sophalhamaker@aol.com.

Athletics HB Athletics HR Panthers HB Panthers HR

Athletics TB Athletics TR Panthers TB Panthers TR

Socks(1 Size Fits All)

BR(1 Size Fits All)

BB(1 Size Fits All)

Pasta With A Purpose $35.00 Per Person

3-Course Meal, Spumoni, Drinks (Wine, Beer, Soda, Water, Tea, C offee)

Mth

$35/Per Person = Total

Any questions and/or concerns, please contact Sophal Hamaker at sophalhamaker@aol.com

Preorder Raffle Ticket Bundles: $10 Per Bundle (20 Tickets) No. of Bundles: x $10 =

St. Bernadette Athletic Association 861 SW 126

th

St

Burien, WA 98146

sophalhamaker@aol.com

Tax-ID #91-0723476

37th Annual Italian Dinner & Raffle’s Pasta With A Purpose

January 11, 2018

Dear Partner, Community Supporter, and Parishioner:

St. Bernadette’s Athletic Association is once again hosting their annual Italian Dinner and Raffle

for 2018. This year's theme is "Pasta With A Purpose." Our ability to continue this event has been

through the support and generosity of individuals, businesses, organizations, and the families of

our young athletes. Through this event, we hope to provide a safe and fun environment for our

young athletes to participate in CYO sports. The funding from this dinner will go towards:

• Maintaining our fields

• Updating equipment (nets, balls, etc.)

• Replacing old and torn jerseys

• Gym rentals for practices

• Team registration fees

On behalf of St. Bernadette’s Athletic Association, we would like to invite your sponsorship for our

37th

Annual Italian Dinner and Raffle. The dinner is scheduled for Saturday, February 24th

, 2018

at 6:30PM to 10:00PM at St. Bernadette Parish Hall. Reserved seating starts promptly at 6:30PM.

This event and all future events would be made possible by you, the sponsors, and we would like

to encourage you to support our parish and our community by selecting one of the three levels

of sponsorship (Bronze, Silver, Gold).

I can be contacted via email at sophalhamaker@aol.com if you would like more information

regarding our CYO sports or our upcoming dinner or even this sponsorship opportunity.

Thank you for your consideration and generosity.

Sophal HamakerSophal Hamaker

St. Bernadette Volunteer Athletic Director

St. Bernadette Athletic Association 861 SW 126th St

Burien, WA 98146

sophalhamaker@aol.com

37the Annual Italian Dinner & Raffle

Saturday, February 24th, 2018 at 6:30PM to 10:00PM

St. Bernadette Parish Hall

Pasta With A Purpose Sponsorship Application

Select the Sponsorship Level Below:

BRONZE

$500.00 6 – Tickets to Dinner

1 – Bundle (20) Raffle Tickets

1 – Full Page Ad in Program

8 ½” x 11” Logo Displayed on

Stage

SILVER

$750.00 6 - Tickets to Italian Dinner

1 – Bundle (20) Raffle Tickets

1 – Full Page Ad in Program

11” x 17” Logo Displayed on

Stage

GOLD

$1,000.00 8 – Tickets to Italian Dinner

1 – Bundle (20) Raffle Tickets

1 – Full Page Ad in Program

1 - Full Poster Sized Logo

Displayed on Stage

Logo Posted to St. Bernadette

CYO Webpage

Complete the portion below and return to the address above by February 12th, 2018.

Please make check payable to: St. Bernadette Athletic Association

Organization/Business Name

Address City, State, ZIP

( )

Contact Name Contact Email Contact Phone No.

Signature Date

St. Bernadette’s Athletic Association Use Only

Application Received By Athletics Assoc. Rep Date

Payment Received Payment Received Date:

Form of Payment:

DONOR INFORMATION First Name: Last Name:

Donor Name: Address: City: State: ZIP:

Email: Phone No.:

GIFT INFORMATION

Gift Item Name: Fair Market Value: $ I would like to contribute cash. Amount: $

Item Description/Other:

Delivery Date: Pick Up Date: Other (please specify):

ST. BERNADETTE PANTHERS’ ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION

DONATION PROCUREMENT FORM Tax ID #91-0723476

THANK YOU for donating to the St. Bernadette Panthers’ Athletic Association. Your donation and/or proceeds will go directly towards our athletic program for our young athletes for uniforms, equipment, field maintenance, and all other expenses incurred for the program.

Please provide us with the information below:

Donations can be sent to:

St. Bernadette Athletic Association Attn: Sophal Hamaker, Athletic Director

861 SW 126th ST Burien, WA 98146

Any questions, please contact Sophal at sophalhamaker@aol.com

**Please include brochures/menus/business cards for display, if appropriate.**

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

NOON DISMISSAL

1

NO SCHOOL

STAFF RETREAT

2

3

4

3-4 pm—3-8 Art Class-

Spanish Room

5

3-4 pm -K-2 Art Class-

Spanish Room

3-4:30 pm-Staff Room

TechKnowHow– 3-5

6

Class Picture Day

7

2 p.m. Dismissal

8

8:45 a.m.-Mass

(Red Sweaters)

9

10

11

3-4 pm—3-8 Art Class-

Spanish Room

12

1:15 pm-Lenten Prayer

Service

3-4 pm -K-2 Art Class-

Spanish Room

3-4:30 pm-Staff Room

TechKnowHow-3-5 13

Ash Wednesday

Valentines Day

3:00 pm—Green

Team Meeting

14

5:30 pm– 8th Grade

Parent Meeting

CONFERENCES

CONFERENCES

16

17

18

19

3-4 pm -K-2 Art Class-

Spanish Room

20

6:30 p.m.-The Jungle

Book Musical

Mandatory Parent

Meeting in Hall

21

Free Dress

2 p.m. Dismissal

22

8:45 a.m.-Mass

(Red Sweaters)

23

6:00— Italian

Dinner

1-3 pm—First

Communion

Retreat

25

1:00 pm- Kindergarten

Readiness Testing

3-4 pm—3-8 Art Class-

Spanish Room

26

3-4 pm -K-2 Art Class-

Spanish Room

3-4:30 pm-Staff Room

TechKnowHow-3-5

27

Red Cross Visit K-8

28

March 1

9:45 am.— Mass

Bishop Elizondro

Celebrates

3:00 pm Musical

Auditions

March 2

February 2018

PRESIDENTS’

DAY

Catholic Schools Week — January 29 — February 3

See Special Calendar

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~ ~

~ ~

MA

SS

A

T 5

:00

P.M

. ~

~ ~

~ ~

~ ~

~

MA

SS

AT

8:3

0 A

.M. —

10

:30

A.M

. A

ND

6

:00

P

.M.

Hot Lunch February 2018

1

Noon Dismissal

No Hot Lunch

Staff Luncheon

2

No School

3

4

5

Chicken NuggetsW

,

Chips, Caesar Salad,

Fruit, Gogurt

6

“Pizza Gallery”

Cheese or Pepperoni

PizzaWD

& Cinna-

mon Dippers, Salad,

Pineapple

Extra Slice $1.00

7

Spaghetti w/Meat

SauceWE

Green

Beans, Garlic Bread,

Fruit

8

WafflesWDE

, Bacon,

Applesauce, Gogurt

9

Corn DogWE

, Tater

Tots, Veggies w/

Ranch Dip, Fruit

10

11 12

Chicken Enchilada

CasserroleWD

Veggies

w/Dip, Fruit, Gogurt

13

“Pizza Gallery”

Cheese or Hawaiian

PizzaWD

& Cinnamon

Dippers, Salad,

Pineapple

Extra Slice $1.00

14 Ash Wednesday

Penne Pasta w/Meat

SauceWD

, Green

Beans, Garlic Bread,

Fruit

15

No School

16

No School

17

18 19

20

“Pizza Gallery”

Cheese or Pepperoni

PizzaWD

& Cinna-

mon Dippers, Salad,

Pineapple

Extra Slice $1.00

21

Chicken Fettucine

AlfredoWDE

, Green

Beans, Garlic Bread,

Fruit

22

PancakesWDE

, Bacon,

Applesausce or

Banana, Gogurt

23

Mac’n’CheeseWDE

,

Green Beans, Garlic

Bread, Fruit

24

25 26

Chicken SandwichWD

,

Chips, Caesar Salad,

Fruit, Gogurt

27

“Pizza Gallery”

Cheese or Hawaiian

PizzaWD

& Cinnamon

Dippers, Salad,

Pineapple

Extra Slice $1.00

28

Ravioli, Veggies W/

Ranch Dip, Garlic

Bread, Fruit

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

Allergen Information:

W = Wheat E = Egg D = Dairy F = Fish/Shellfish N = Nuts

These apply to the Entrée only, and in-clude possible trace allergens.

This information is subject to changes by the manufacturer at any time; therefore, we cannot guarantee or be held responsible for the accuracy of this information. Although there are many poten-tial food allergens, this list only addresses some of the most com-mon ones. Although an item may not contain an allergen, it could inadvertently come in contact with an aller-gen during the manu-facturing process.

No School

President’s

FLU INFORMATIONWhat is the flu?

Influenza (the flu) is an infection of the nose, throat,

and lungs caused by influenza viruses. There are

many different influenza viruses that are constantly

changing. Flu viruses cause illness, hospital stays and

deaths in the United States each year.

The flu can be very dangerous for children. Each year

about 20,000 children younger than 5 years old are

hospitalized from flu complications, like pneumonia.

How serious is the flu? Flu illness can vary from mild to severe. While the flu can be serious even in people who are otherwise healthy, it can be especially dangerous for young children and children of any age who have certain long-term health conditions, including asthma (even mild or controlled), neurological and neurodevelopmental conditions, chronic lung disease, heart disease, blood disorders, endocrine

disorders (such as diabetes), kidney, liver, and metabolic disorders, and weakened immune systems due to disease or medication. Children with these conditions and children who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy can have severe illness from the flu.

How does the flu spread?Most experts believe that flu viruses spread mainly by droplets made when people with the flu cough, sneeze or talk. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby. Less often, a person might get the flu by touching something that has flu virus on it and then touching their own mouth, eyes or nose.

What are the symptoms of the flu? Symptoms of the flu can include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, fatigue and sometimes vomiting and diarrhea (more common in children than adults). Some people with the flu will not have a fever.

How long can a sick person spread the flu to others?People with the flu may be able to infect others from 1 day before getting sick to 5 to 7 days after. However, children and people with weakened immune systems can infect others for longer periods of time, especially if they still have symptoms.

PROTECT YOUR CHILDHow can I protect my child against the flu?To protect against the flu, the first and most important thing you can do is to get a flu vaccine for yourself and your child.

Vaccination is recommended for everyone 6 months and older.

It’s especially important that young children and children with long-term health conditions get vaccinated. (See list of conditions in “How serious is the flu?”)

Caregivers of children with health conditions or of children younger than 6 months old should get vaccinated. (Babies younger than 6 months are too young to be vaccinated themselves.)

Another way to protect babies is to vaccinate pregnant women. Research shows that flu vaccination gives some protection to the baby both while the woman is pregnant and for several months after the baby is born.

Flu vaccine is updated annually to protect against the flu viruses that research indicates are most likely to cause illness during the upcoming flu season. Flu vaccines are made using strict safety and production measures. Over the years, millions of flu vaccines have been given in the United States with a very good safety record.

The Flu: A Guide for Parents

For more information, visit www.cdc.gov/flu or call 800-CDC-INFO

Is there a medicine to treat the flu? Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines that can be used to treat influenza illness. They can make people feel better and get better sooner. Antivirals can mean the difference between having milder illness instead of very serious illness that could result in a hospital stay. Antiviral drugs are different from antibiotics, which fight against bacterial infections. They work best when started during the first 2 days of illness. It’s very important that antiviral drugs are used early to treat the flu in people who are very sick (for example, people who are in the hospital) or who are at high risk of serious flu complications. Other people with flu illness may also benefit from taking antiviral drugs. These drugs can be given to children and pregnant women.

What are some of the other ways I can protect my child against the flu?In addition to getting vaccinated, you and your children can take everyday steps to help prevent the spread of germs:

These include the following:Stay away from people who are sick.

If your child is sick with flu illness, try to keep him or her in a separate room from others in the household, if possible.

CDC recommends that your sick child stay home for at least 24 hours after his or her fever is gone, except to get medical care or for other necessities. The fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.

Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after it has been used.

Wash hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.

Clean and disinfect hard surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs, including bathroom

AUGUST 2015 | CS258974-A

IF YOUR CHILD IS SICKWhat can I do if my child gets sick?Talk to your doctor early if you are worried about your child’s illness.

Make sure your child gets plenty of rest and drinks enough fluids. If your child is 5 years and older and does not have other health problems and gets flu symptoms, including a fever and/or cough, consult your doctor as needed.

Children younger than 5 years of age – especially those younger than 2 years old – and children with certain chronic conditions, including asthma, diabetes and disorders of the brain or nervous system, are at high risk of serious flu-related complications. If your child is at high risk for flu complications, call your doctor or take them to the doctor right away if they develop flu symptoms. What if my child seems very sick? Even previously healthy children can get very sick from the flu.

Make sure your child gets plenty of rest and drinks enough fluids. If your child is 5 years or older and does not have other health problems and gets flu symptoms, including a fever and/or cough, consult your doctor as needed:

Fast breathing or trouble breathing

Bluish or gray skin color

Not drinking enough fluids (not going to the bathroom or not making as much urine as they normally do)

Severe or persistent vomiting

Not waking up or not interacting

Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held

Flu symptoms improve, but then return with fever and worse cough

Has other conditions (like heart or lung disease, diabetes, or asthma) and develops flu symptoms, including a fever and/or cough.

Can my child go to school, day care or camp if he or she is sick?No. Your child should stay home to rest and to avoid giving the flu to other children or caregivers.

When can my child go back to school after having the flu?Keep your child home from school, day care or camp for at least 24 hours after their fever is gone. (The fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.) A fever is defined as 100°F (37.8°C) or higher.

surfaces, kitchen counters and toys for children. Clean by wiping them down with a household disinfectant according to directions on the product label.

These everyday steps are a good way to reduce your chances of getting sick. However, a yearly flu vaccine is the best protection against flu illness.