Health Department confirms Paulo Freire Freedom Middle School closes due to H1N1 illness - http://tr.im/AUCh 
**Pima County Health Department** has an important message for the community!
**Tucson, Arizona – October 6, 2009 – The Pima County Health Department is confirming that a small charter middle school (Paulo Freire Freedom Middle School) will close its doors beginning Wednesday, October 7 and reopen gain on Monday, October 12. School administration is working closely with Health Department staff to prepare a letter for students to take home to their parents explaining the reasons for the closure.
The closure is the result of almost half the students and teaching staff out with influenza-like illness (ILI). The ILI has remained mild to moderate in severity.
“In speaking with the school’s administrator, parent/teacher conferences had been scheduled for the remainder of the week beginning tomorrow,” stated Michelle McDonald, M.D., Chief Medical Officer for the Pima County Health Department. “With the students having “early out” days, it seemed logical to suspend the half-day classes, reschedule the conference if the teacher, parent or child is ill, and resume a class regular schedule on Monday,” McDonald stated.
The prevention message remains the same: get the seasonal flu vaccine now and the H1N1vaccine when it becomes available; cough or sneeze into your sleeve or a tissue, dispose of the tissue and wash your hands; wash your hands thoroughly and often; stay home when sick; make a plan on what to do if you or someone you care for becomes ill.
For more information log onto www.pimahealth.org**
Address/Location
Pima County Health Department
3950 S Country Club Rd
Tucson, AZ 85714
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 520-243-7770
Patti Woodcock
Community Relations Manager
patti.woodcock@pima.gov
520-243-7701
