The American Federation of Teachers is assisting the U.S. Department of Education in its efforts to gather information on school closures due to swine flu.

The education department reports that as of May 5, approximately 700 schools had closed nationwide in an attempt to stop transmission of the virus. (There are 15,000 school districts and more than 100,000 schools in the United States.)

If schools, colleges or child care facilities in your community are closed, please complete the form at www.unionvoice.org/ct/wdzvn361uqK9/.

For questions or further information, contact the staff of the AFT health and safety program for assistance at mailto:health&safety@aft.org.

Resource for parents

The National Association of School Nurses, the National Association of School Psychologists and the National Parent-Teacher Association have developed a brochure for parents on how to talk to their children about the swine flu virus.

This resource can be accessed at: www.nasponline.org/resources/talking_with_children_about_flu_final.pdf.