According to the Oregon Health Authority, influenza will likely be an issue in Oregon through March. Important things for everyone to know are that it's not too late to get vaccinated, and that good hygiene habits - wash your hands frequently, cover your cough, avoid people who are visibly ill, get plenty of rest, drink lots of fluids, etc. - can go a long way toward keeping you healthy. Parents are asked to please keep sick children home and to report any flu-like symptoms to the office for tracking purposes. An absence rate of 10% or greater or a lab-confirmed case of influenza at a school will trigger an investigative response from the nursing department and a consultation with Washington County Health & Human Services, as well as additional sanitation protocols at the school. For additional information on influenza, please visit the Immunizations and Health page on our website.

State law requires that all children in public and private schools, preschools, Head Start, and certified child care facilities have up-to-date documentation on their immunizations, or have a non-medical exemption. Students with incomplete vaccination records will receive a letter from Washington County Health & Human Services in early February, and will be excluded from school starting Wednesday, February 18, if they have not yet received the required immunizations.

Parents seeking immunizations for their children should contact their health care provider or Washington County Health & Human Services (503-846-4955). Students can also visit the District's School-Based Health Center at Century High School (1998 Century Blvd.) for immunizations. The center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., including President's Day on February 16. Call 503-844-2840 to schedule an appointment.

Please join Mayor Jerry Willey as he delivers his annual State of the City address on Thursday, January 29, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Main Library (2850 NE Brookwood Parkway). His talk, entitled "Successful by Design," will cover what Hillsboro has accomplished over the past year as well as exciting things planned for our city in the coming year and beyond. RSVP is requested. Reception starts at 5 p.m., the Mayor's speech begins at 6 p.m.