November 19, 2007

Dear Parents/Guardians:

As most of you know, there is a confirmed case of the infection commonly referred to as MRSA
(methicillin-resistant Staphyloccus aureus) in one of the students at the high school. We’re very happy to
report that the student is doing well and will be returning to school very soon. We can also confidently
report that because the nature of this particular infection, no other student would have been exposed.
Nonetheless, as a precaution and to allay fears, our custodians worked all day Sunday cleaning the school,
locker rooms, classrooms and common surface areas.

We understand that some of you may have concerns about your children’s health and wellbeing.
Please believe that this is our priority, too. MRSA is an infection, however, not a disease. Staphylococcus
aureus (“staph”) is commonly carried on the skin or in the nose of healthy people. Even MRSA, which is
a type of staph, can be found on healthy people. MRSA cannot be spread in the same way as the flu or
even a common cold. It usually begins as a skin infection and is spread by direct skin-to-skin contact .
The main distinction between staph and MRSA is that the latter is not sensitive, or doesn’t respond to, the
antibiotics that are routinely used in primary care. That means the health care provider must wait until the
laboratory has an opportunity to identify through testing which antibiotics will work. As community members,
we can all take care of ourselves by practicing good hygiene, washing our hands frequently, and by covering
any cuts and scrapes until they’re healed.

At the beginning of November, Dr. Carolyn Cragin, Superintendent of Harwich Public Schools, sent
home a letter and FAQ sheets about MRSA which we hope will be helpful in answering any questions you
might have about the infection. If you have misplaced it or for some reason never received it, you can find
the information on our website, www.harwich.edu. You can also access more information at www.mass.gov/dph
(the Massachusetts Department of Public Health) and www.cdc.gov (the Center for Disease Control). And of
course, our school Health Office will be happy to answer any questions or address any concerns you may have.

Sincerely,

__________________________________

Kevin A. Turner, Principal

__________________________________

Karen Bairstow, RN