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2/20/2008 10:26:00 AM
Bullets, MRSA Focus Of Letters To Parents
Deborah Sederberg
The News-Dispatch
MICHIGAN CITY - Parents of Michigan City High School students will receive two letters today from school officials, one about bullets and the other about MRSA.
Betsy Kohn, Michigan City Area Schools director of communication, said students found three bullets in a boys restroom Tuesday and brought them to the proper authorities.
School administrators continue to investigate the matter within the school and with police.
"All we can say about the bullets is that they were of different sizes," Kohn said.
In the letter, MCHS Principal Mark Francesconi wrote, "At this time, we have no reason to believe that there is any danger to students or staff."
Kohn said lockers were searched Tuesday and no firearms were discovered.
"We commend the students who brought this situation to our immediate attention," Francesconi said.
He urged adults and students with information about the incident to contact him or an assistant principal, or to call the district's anonymous Safety Tip Hotline at 873-2000. When the call is answered by a machine, press No. 4.
The letter about methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus comes from Assistant Superintendent Carla Iacona.
Administrators have received a report of a MRSA case at the high school, Iacona said in the letter.
"We have consulted with the La Porte County Health Department, and they have assured us that this poses no danger to students or staff," she wrote.
"As a precaution, however, we performed a thorough cleaning of the school this past weekend, disinfecting and cleaning all areas, including classrooms and hallways, restrooms, the cafeteria, the auditorium and the gym."
Iacona reminded parents MRSA is spread by direct skin-to-skin human contact or contact with wound drainage from someone who is carrying or is infected with MRSA. Less frequently, the bacteria can be spread by contact with contaminated surfaces or items.
Although MRSA is resistant to penicillin, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it can be treated successfully and cured with other antibiotics.
Bullets, MRSA Focus Of Letters To Parents
Deborah Sederberg
The News-Dispatch
MICHIGAN CITY - Parents of Michigan City High School students will receive two letters today from school officials, one about bullets and the other about MRSA.
Betsy Kohn, Michigan City Area Schools director of communication, said students found three bullets in a boys restroom Tuesday and brought them to the proper authorities.
School administrators continue to investigate the matter within the school and with police.
"All we can say about the bullets is that they were of different sizes," Kohn said.
In the letter, MCHS Principal Mark Francesconi wrote, "At this time, we have no reason to believe that there is any danger to students or staff."
Kohn said lockers were searched Tuesday and no firearms were discovered.
"We commend the students who brought this situation to our immediate attention," Francesconi said.
He urged adults and students with information about the incident to contact him or an assistant principal, or to call the district's anonymous Safety Tip Hotline at 873-2000. When the call is answered by a machine, press No. 4.
The letter about methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus comes from Assistant Superintendent Carla Iacona.
Administrators have received a report of a MRSA case at the high school, Iacona said in the letter.
"We have consulted with the La Porte County Health Department, and they have assured us that this poses no danger to students or staff," she wrote.
"As a precaution, however, we performed a thorough cleaning of the school this past weekend, disinfecting and cleaning all areas, including classrooms and hallways, restrooms, the cafeteria, the auditorium and the gym."
Iacona reminded parents MRSA is spread by direct skin-to-skin human contact or contact with wound drainage from someone who is carrying or is infected with MRSA. Less frequently, the bacteria can be spread by contact with contaminated surfaces or items.
Although MRSA is resistant to penicillin, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it can be treated successfully and cured with other antibiotics.