Dear Murfreesboro City Schools’ Parents:

With the recent media attention regarding bacterial infections and Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), we would like to let you know that there is no cause for alarm. Your children are fine.

Murfreesboro City Schools has contacted the Rutherford County Health Department and the Mid-Cumberland Regional Health Department to gather appropriate information regarding MRSA transmission and treatment.

The school has followed guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Lori McDonald, M.D. (Medical Director, Mid-Cumberland Regional Health Department) to make sure that all necessary steps have been followed.

The school routinely disinfects and cleans the buildings and surfaces in your child’s classroom and around the school. Extra effort will be taken to make sure that our buildings are cleaned and surfaces are disinfected daily.

Washing your hands thoroughly with soap and water is the single most important step you can take to prevent the spread of germs and protect yourself and others. It is best to wash your hands with soap and clean running water for 20 seconds or more. However, if soap and clean water are not available, use an alcohol-based product to clean your hands. Alcohol-based hand rubs significantly reduce the number of germs on skin and are fast acting.

Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered with a bandage until the areas are healed. Make sure your child does not touch other people’s cuts or bandages; and make sure that your children also know that they should not share eating utensils, cups and glasses, towels, razors, or other personal items.

Encourage them to cover their noses and mouths with tissues if they need to sneeze or cough; and to wash their hands after coughing or sneezing to prevent the spread of germs.

Prevention of the spread of illnesses and germs is very important. We all agree that healthy children learn better. We appreciate your cooperation in making sure that your children are healthy and ready to learn.

Andrea Cain, RN, BSN, Supervisor of Coordinated School Health
MUrfreesboro City Schools