McArthur High School

MRSA Fact Sheet

admin — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 15:52:43 +0000

What is Staphylococcus Aureus (STAPH)?
Staphylococcus aureus, often referred to simply “staph,” are bacteria commonly carried on the skin or in the nose of healthy people. Approximately 25-30% of the population may have staph present in their nose. Sometimes, staph can cause an infection. Staph bacteria are one of the most common causes of skin infections in the United States. Most of these skin infections are minor (such as pimples and boils) and can be treated without antibiotics. However, staph bacteria also can cause serious infections (such as surgical wound infections, bloodstream infections, and pneumonia).
What is MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus)?
Some staph bacteria are resistant to antibiotics. MRSA is a type of staph that is resistant to antibiotics called beta-lactams. Beta-lactam antibiotics include methicillin and other more common antibiotics such as oxacillin, penicillin, and amoxicillin. It is estimated that 1 % of the population are carriers of MRSA.
What is community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA)?
MRSA infections that are acquired by persons who have not been recently (within the past year) hospitalized or had a medical procedure (such as dialysis, surgery, catheters) are known as CA-MRSA infections. Staph or MRSA infections in the community are usually manifested as skin infections, such as pimples and boils, and occur in otherwise healthy people.
What does a “STAPH” or MRSA infection look like and how does it spread?Staph bacteria, including MRSA, can cause skin infections that may look like a pimple or boil and can be red, swollen, painful, or have pus or other drainage. More serious infections may cause pneumonia, bloodstream infections, or surgical wound infections.
Factors that have been associated with the spread of MRSA skin infections include: close skin-to-skin contact, openings in the skin such as cuts or abrasions, contaminated items and surfaces, crowded living conditions, and poor hygiene. Precautions should be taken for students in athletic activities involving close contact.
How can STAPH or MRSA skin infections be prevented?
Practice good hygiene:
1. Keep your hands clean by washing thoroughly with soap and water and/or use an
alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap and water is not accessible.
2. Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered with a bandage until healed.
3. Avoid contact with other people’s wounds or bandages.
4. Avoid sharing personal items such as towels or razors.
What should a person do if he/she thinks they have a staph or MRSA infection?
• See your healthcare provider.
Are staph and MRSA infections treatable?
• Yes. Most staph and MRSA infections are treatable with antibiotics. Follow your healthcare provider’s instructions.

What can be done to prevent others from getting infected from someone infected with STAPH, or MRSA skin infection?
You can prevent spreading staph or MRSA skin infections to others by following these steps:
1. Cover your wound. Keep wounds that are draining or have pus covered with clean, dry bandages. Follow your healthcare provider’s instructions on proper care of the wound. Pus from infected wounds can contain staph and MRSA, so keeping the infection covered will help prevent the spread to others.
2. Clean your hands. You, your family, and others in close contact should wash their hands frequently with soap and warm water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, especially after changing the bandage or touching the infected wound.
3. Do not share personal items. Avoid sharing personal items such as towels, washcloths, razors, clothing, or uniforms that may have had contact with the infected wound or bandage. Wash sheets, towels, and clothes that become soiled with water and laundry detergent. Drying clothes in a hot dryer, rather than air-drying, also helps kill bacteria in clothes.
4. Talk to your doctor. Tell any healthcare providers who treat you that you have or had a staph or MRSA skin infection.
What steps can schools take as Infection Control Measures?
1. Encourage students, staff, parents, and visitors to follow proper hand washing techniques. Use of alcohol based hand sanitizers when soap and water is not directly accessible.
2. Proper hygiene and not sharing personal items (e.g., towels, clothing)
3. Sanitize all locker rooms, gymnasiums, weight and training rooms
4. Cleaning all interior walls
5. Require all student athletes to shower
6. Prevent any student with open wound or boils from participating in any contact sports.
Can a student attend school with a MRSA infection?
Students who present with open or draining wounds will be excluded from school.
1. Any student identified with a boil or skin lesion with fluid should be sent to the school health clinic and the parent should be contacted to pick up their child for evaluation.
2. Students must have a note from a healthcare provider stating they may return to school.

Report Cards will reflect a message on the importance of hand washing to reduce/prevent the spread of infection. A letter addressing Infection Control measures will be sent to principals for distribution to parents.

Please report any confirmed cases of MRSA, or questions about MRSA to Health Education Services at 754-321-2272. Additional information is available on the CDC website at www.cdc.gov.gov/ncidod/dhqp/ar_mrsa_public.html.

For more information see Broward School’s website

Pinnacle Gradebook is LIVE!

admin — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 20:51:50 +0000

Pinnacle Internet Viewer

Keep in mind that although we hope to be accurate at all times, this is merely meant to be a tool for communication and not an absolute “etched in stone” grade or attendance report, things change on a daily basis.
If you have any questions regarding grades or attendance, please call the teacher FIRST! He/she is the first contact regarding what is in the gradebook.

If you called in to excuse an absence, this may not show up on the Pinnacle Viewer for up to 3 days beyond the absence. Please be patient and check back before becoming alarmed. Some “School Attendance” codes are considered as “ABSENT” - FT (Field Trip), and SO (Signed Out) . Please do not be alarmed by these codes - the Pinnacle System is just reporting all attendance codes as absences. Rest assured that the student is not actually “Absent” unless you see the Unexcused (AU) or Excused (A) Absence Code next to the date and period of day.

Click here for additional help or here to go to the Pinnacle Internet Viewer.

Congratulations

admin — Sun, 07 Oct 2007 20:56:24 +0000

Congradulations to Caylin Drews- Named a USA Swimming Scholastic All-American

Congratulations to Jawhara Graham and Keisha Richards

Congratulations to Leyssa Jean-Baptiste - Accepted into Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s MITES Program

Congratulations to Natasha Rosales and Omar Hussain - Accepted into University of Florida’s Summer Science Program

Letter to Parents

admin — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 20:08:14 +0000

October 5, 2007

Dear Broward District School Parent/Guardian:

This letter is to inform you of several incidents that have happened over the past month around the City of

Hollywood and occasionally in the vicinity of schools within the municipality.

Hollywood Police have issued a bulletin for members of the public to be on the lookout for a man driving a grey or silver PT Cruiser vehicle. The driver is described as a white male, 20-to-30 years of age, with short hair and a clean shaven face. He may have tattoos on his arms. This individual is being sought for questioning regarding inappropriate and potentially illegal contact with children.

Please advise your children not to approach vehicles in the street, especially if an adult who they do not know summons them. You should instruct them to walk away from such vehicles in the opposite direction that the car or truck is heading. They should also immediately report such incidents to you, school officials or to any uniformed police officer.

The safety and security of your children is a priority for us. Always remember that you and your child can call the District’s security hotline at 754-321-0911 at anytime to report incidents and concerns. The hotline is staffed 24-hours a day, 7-days a week. Callers to this number need not identify themselves. It is only important that clear and concise information and details – including time, dates and locations – be provided.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns about this specific situation or anything else, please do not hesitate to call the school at 754-323-1200 or simply come by the school.

Regards,

Carol Roland

Principal

Webpage Fundraiser

admin — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 03:52:59 +0000

Donate to the Young Inventors Club.

Boundary Process Opens with School Capacity Conferences to Discuss Future Class Size

admin — Sun, 02 Sep 2007 05:21:19 +0000

The District’s annual boundary process begins this fall as school communities review alternative student enrollment options for meeting the 2008/09 class size reduction goals at individual classroom levels. Although most school boundaries do not change from year to year, boundaries and class size reduction strategies are reviewed annually. Principals will be scheduling community meetings throughout the months of August and September to discuss their school’s enrollment and capacity options. The annual boundary process provides multiple opportunities for public input regarding each school’s boundary. Participation and input are encouraged. If you are unable to attend boundary process meetings, you may ask questions or submit input at the School Boundaries Web site (www.browardschools.com/schoolboundaries) or contact the School Boundaries Department at 754-321-2480

Message from the Principal

admin — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 04:24:41 +0000

Welcome to McArthur High School’s “new” and improved website. Our goal is to provide parents and students with information that would be helpful to you as you make your educational journey at McArthur High School. It contains information about our school, our program and courses as well as our staff and students.

Please visit our web site frequently since we will frequently update it with new information. If you would like specific items to appear on the web please contact Mrs. Peta-Gaye Bisset.

I wish you a good 07-08 school year and please come in and discuss any concerns you may have.

Carol Roland
Principal

Clara Abel - Guidance Director(AAA+)

admin — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 15:30:31 +0000

Education

Florida Atlantic University

Certifications

Guidance

Contact

Phone: 754-323-1224 email

Marjorie Gilles(9th Grade)

admin — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 15:00:05 +0000

Education

University of Miami- BA
Barry University - MSW, Ed.S

Certifications

Guidance

Contact

Phone: 754-323-1228 email

Maria Desmond(Names:A-F & SOARS)

admin — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 14:00:41 +0000

Education

???

Certifications

Guidance

Contact

Phone: 754-323-1200 email