Robert E. Lee High School

I would like to take a moment to address the news reports last night and this morning, I can confirm that two teachers resigned their positions in the middle of their contracts and left their students without notice and with no teacher. Both cited security issues as their reasons for leaving.

Security is always a priority at a school. It is a balance between keeping students safe within the school and making sure influences outside of the school do not create a threat. As I said in my earlier letter, it is how we react to an incident that determines the level of security. In each and every incident reported, the teachers, administrators and SRO immediately responded and the situation was contained so that it did not affect the educational process in the rest of the school. As I stated to the media, there will never be a day in which we feel we have a “perfect” system. We, as a school community, will continue to assess and reassess our procedures to keep all of us safer.

Earlier last week, due to the continued parking lot issues, we submitted a request to add a security person to monitor the area across McDuff Ave. When Thursday’s issue occurred, we were not only granted the position but offered additional funds to secure a part-time police officer to help with the close of school each day.

There are also implementation efforts that have been ongoing. At the first of the year, we asked for a Security Visit by the DCPS security office. This was to help us identify areas that could be tightened. This visit has been done. It enabled us to get the ball rolling on several facilities projects that will help us make everyone more secure. A request for a JSO weapons sweep was also requested after our first incident. Although we do not know nor advertise the date of these, we know we are on the list for the sweep before the Winter Holidays.

I met with the faculty Monday at a regularly scheduled monthly planning period meeting and we discussed security in light of last week’s event. They voiced encouragement, concerns and suggestions. The one clear message was that, as a team working together, we can offer our students a quality education in a safe environment.

I have spoken to several students concerning the media coverage. I have been encouraged by their positive outlook and their outrage at the negative portrayal of their school. Some do have questions about what is going on. I hope to do an interview on the school news tomorrow morning.

If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to email or call me at halld@dreamsbeginhere.org or 381-3930.

Thank you for your continued support of Robert E. Lee High School and the students we serve.

Letter From the Superintendent, Ed Pratt-Dannals Concerning MRSA

October 29, 2007

Dear Students, Parents/Guardians and Teachers,

We are writing to inform you of a health issue that recently has received considerable attention in the media and is understandably a concern for parents.

The infection is called Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus. The skin condition most commonly looks like an infected pimple or boil and can worsen to include redness, warmth, swelling, pain and drainage. Many other types of infections, including Staphylococcus infections not resistant to antibiotics, can and do generate similar symptoms. When a person with these symptoms goes to see a physician, they are normally treated as not having MRSA until such time that the attending physician determines that a culture is needed. The culture will need to be taken and let it grow the required 24 to 48 hour period passes to allow the culture to be examined and categorized.

It should be noted that most initial claims of the existence of MRSA go unfounded as was the case with Fishweir. Confirmation of MRSA is less common outside of hospital facilities. MRSA is spread by skin-to-skin contact, contact with drainage from wounds infected with MRSA, drainage from the nose of the person infected, or contact with contaminated objects such as razors, soap, clothing or towels.

We are able to report that, in the case at Fishweir Elementary School, a culture was not taken and a case of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) has not been confirmed.

Please be assured that Duval County Public Schools and the Duval County Health Department are using appropriate preventive measures to ensure that the safety of our students is our number one priority.

You and your family can help prevent the spread of MRSA by following good hygiene practices:

Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water or use an alcohol-based sanitizer
Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered with a bandage until healed
Avoid contact with other people’s wounds and bandages
Avoid sharing personal items such as towels or razors
Wipe surfaces of exercise equipment before and after use

Early treatment of suspected MRSA is important. If you are concerned about a wound or sore on your child, consult your physician. The Duval County Health Department recommends that any draining sore or wound be cultured for MRSA. If you have any questions, contact your family physician.

As parents and educators, we want to protect our children and ensure their safety. One of the most effective things that we can do is to remain calm and positive. Additional information about MRSA can be found on our web site at www.dreamsbeginhere.org.

Sincerely,

Ed Pratt-Dannals Bob Harmon, M.D., M.P.H.

Superintendent, DCPS Director, DCHD