In the past few weeks, and increasingly over the past few days, concerns about the H1N1 Flu have increased. It is my hope that the information included in this report will help many of you understand the nature of the problem and give you some piece of mind about the actions being taken by White Oak ISD.

What do we know?

• There are White Oak ISD students at home sick with flu-like symptoms.

• Some of the local doctors have made a clinical diagnosis that their patients have H1N1 Flu. Although these diagnoses are most likely correct, WOISD has not received any conformation of a Laboratory Test Confirmed case of H1N1.

• The symptoms that should alert you to see your doctor are, fever over 100 degrees and a cough or sore throat. The treatment for H1N1 and Type A influenza are basically the same and early diagnosis along with staying at home will help the healing process and cut down on the spread of the flu.

• WOISD is not experiencing an increase in absences. Attendance for the week of September 14, 2009 remains above 96%.

What are we doing?

• Our custodial staff is cleaning and disinfecting all common-use areas every night. Industrial strength aerosol disinfecting “bombs” are being used throughout the district.

• Antibacterial hand soap is available for all students and staff. Our faculty and staff are monitoring all students to insure proper procedures are being followed.

• WOISD has been approved to provide the H1N1 Vaccine to all students, faculty, and staff as soon as it becomes available. When the plan is ready, all parties involved will be notified as to how and where the vaccine will be dispensed.

There is no doubt that this flu strain is very contagious and that we must be diligent in our efforts to keep everyone healthy. I know that if all the stakeholders in White Oak will make themselves aware of the facts concerning this problem, we will be able to stay healthy and continue the education process for our students. You can find more information about the flu and the vaccination process on the following websites:

www.cdc.org

www.texasflu.org

http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/txflu/default.shtm

Thank you for your help in keeping facts separate from rumors. Everyone at White Oak ISD is concerned about the health and safety of our students, faculty, staff, and community.

This is from the UIL office. For more information, please read the statement here.

UIL Schedules Altered Due to Swine Flu

Media Contact: Kim Rogers
Phone: 512) 471-5883
Fax: (512) 471-6589
Email: [email protected]
Date: 04/29/2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AUSTIN, TX— On the recommendation of Dr. David Lakey, Commissioner of the Texas 
Department of State Health Services, and in consultation with Texas Education Agency 
Commissioner Robert Scott, the University Interscholastic League is altering its schedule of 
events due to the outbreak of the swine flu in Texas. Effective immediately, all UIL 
interscholastic competition is suspended until May 11.  

“The health and safety of our student activity participants is of the utmost importance,” said 
UIL Executive Director Dr. Charles Breithaupt.  “Taking every possible precaution to 
prevent the further spreading of this disease is an important contribution to the welfare of 
our great state, and altering the schedule of our events is a way to keep our participants 
safe.”

As this is a fluid situation, the UIL tentatively releases the following schedule for UIL 
regional and state events affected by this situation.

Academic State Meet
The UIL Academic State Meet, originally scheduled for May 7-9, will be rescheduled at a 
later date.  The Conference 4A and 5A One-Act Play competition will continue as 
previously scheduled on May 15-16. All other conferences competing in One-Act Play will 
be rescheduled. A schedule of the Academic State Meet, including One-Act Play, will be 
posted on the UIL web site once finalized.

Texas State Wind Ensemble Festival
The Texas State Wind Ensemble Festival, originally scheduled for May 9, has been 
cancelled.  The UIL staff will consult with the 16 participating schools to determine 
whether or not to reschedule the event at a later date. 

Regional Track Meets
All UIL regional track meets originally scheduled for this weekend, May 1-2, have been 
cancelled.  The state track and field meet will be extended to a three-day format to include 
semifinal heats.  The meet is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, Friday and Saturday, May 
14-16.

Semifinal qualifiers will be based on the district track meet results.  Each region will be 
represented at the state meet by the top four performances in each event for all conferences.  
Hand-held times will be converted to fully automatic times as defined by the National 
Federation of State High School Association rules.  A revised track and field state meet 
schedule will be posted on the UIL web site no later than Friday, May 1.  Qualifiers to the 
UIL state track and field meet will be posted on the UIL web site on Wednesday, May 6.

Golf State Tournament
The UIL golf state tournament will take place at the previously scheduled times beginning 
May 11.

Tennis State Tournament
The UIL tennis state tournament will take place at the previously scheduled times beginning 
May 11.

Baseball and Softball
No interschool games will take place until May 11 for either softball or baseball.  Below is 
an altered playoff schedule for both sports.

                                                 Softball                                        Baseball   
  District Certification                         April 28                                    May 19   
  Bi District Deadline                           May 16  (1 game or 2 out of 3)              May 23  (1 game or 2 out of 3)   
  Area Deadline                                  May 19 (1 game only)                        May 26 (1 game only)   
  Regional Quarterfinal Deadline                 May 23  (1 game or 2 out of 3)              May 30  (1 game or 2 out of 3)   
  Regional Semifinal Deadline                    May 26 (1 game only)                        June 2 (1 game only)   
  Regional Final Deadline                        May 30  (1 game or 2 out of 3)              June 6  (1 game or 2 out of 3)   
  State Tournament                               June 4-6                                    June 10-13

Thank you for your patience and cooperation.

—
Michael E. Gilbert
Superintendent of Schools
White Oak ISD
903-291-2201