Dr. Roger N. Morris, Division Superintendent of Patrick County Schools sent this letter out to parents, informing people about methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

PATRICK COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS P.O. Box 346  104 Rucker Street  Stuart, Virginia 24171 Phone (276) 694-3163  Fax (276) 694-3170 Robert A. Rorrer, Chair – Mayo River District Billy R. Aldridge, Member – Dan River District From Dr. Roger N. Morris, Division Superintendent Website: http://www.patrick-county.org October 19, 2007 Dear Parent: This letter is to update you and provide additional information regarding the methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, commonly known as MRSA. In the letters sent home previously, information on the definition of MRSA and tips on how to prevent the infection were enclosed. Recent incidents elsewhere have brought attention to this issue. Earlier this week we sent information on MRSA and ways to prevent the spread of MRSA. This letter will give you specific information on steps that have been taken and will continue to be taken to help prevent this infection. We have been working with the Virginia Department of Health to ensure that our cleaning activities help the situation. These activities include, but are not limited to sanitizing football pads, volleyballs, and other personal equipment. We have also instructed coaches to discourage the sharing of athletic equipment among the student-athletes. We have worked on sanitizing the exterior of lockers in the boys and girls locker rooms and the weight room. We are sanitizing with a solution approved by the Health Department. The school principals are working with their staffs to take extra precautions to ensure that all of our schools are safer and cleaner than usual. Activities include sanitizing desks, doors, lockers, bathrooms, and other items that we feel need to be addressed. These activities will take place on a continuing basis. Teachers will educate and strongly encourage students to wash their hands. The Health Department has asked that I encourage you as the parent to ensure that if your child has a scrape or minor wound, it should be bandaged to prevent infection. If you suspect that you or your child has a staph infection, please consult a physician. There are many questions concerning the number of cases of MRSA in Patrick County Public Schools. At this time, we do not have knowledge of recently reported cases of MRSA in the schools, however this is subject to change. We will keep you informed of any developments on this subject. More information about MRSA is available on our website (web address below). If you have questions or concerns, please contact your child’s principal or this office. Again, we thank you for your continued support! Sincerely, Roger N. Morris, Ed. D. Division Superintendent