New Haven Public Schools Take Proactive Measure to Protect Students from MRSA

(10/22/2007) WHO: Dr. Stephen Updegrove, M.D., M.P.H.

Career High School Students

WHERE: Hill Regional Career High School at 140 Legion Ave.

WHEN: Monday, October 22, 2007 at 9:45 a.m.

WHAT: Dr. Stephen Updegrove, M.D., M.P.H., a pediatrician and medical advisor to the New Haven Public Schools, will have some tips when he visits Hill Regional Career High School on Monday to give a presentation on MRSA. The presentation will include tips for prevention. Dr. Updegrove will address a combined class of students from the forensics and introduction to public health classes. The Health Department's Bureau of Nursing also will be on hand to distribute fact sheets (attached) in English and Spanish to students.

Principal Michael Ceraso said he is pleased that the Health Department has arranged the talk at Career, since the inter-district magnet school has a focus on careers in health, along with business and computer technology. "This is a perfect time for students to ask questions and learn more about this issue," he said. Career draws students from New Haven and surrounding suburbs and is part of the New Haven Public Schools.

To date, there have been a small number of Connecticut districts with reported cases of MRSA. The New Haven Public Schools is working closely with the City Health Department, the Mayor's Office and the State Department of Public Health to monitor the situation. Superintendent of Schools Dr. Reginald Mayo today sent out fact sheets to all schools and to all NHPS staffers and the information also has been posted on the school system's website at www.nhps.net

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Contact Name: Jessica Mayorga

Contact Email: jmayorga@newhavenct.net

Contact Phone: 203-946-7660