The Arlington ISD is monitoring the West Nile Virus situation and is close communication with city officials regarding this matter. The district sent home a letter with students the first day of school addressing concerns over the West Nile Virus and offering the following suggestions:

• Apply a mosquito repellant that contains DEET, Picardie or oil of lemon eucalyptus before children leave home in the morning. Mosquitoes are most active in the morning and evening hours.
• Children are at risk while outside in the morning walking to school, waiting for the bus, or traveling from their ride into the building. Most repellents are good for several hours, with many labeled as effective for 8-10 hours after application.
• Students DO NOT need to carry mosquito repellant to school. The risk of misuse or exposure of allergic students far outweighs any potential benefit.
• Parents should consider reapplying a mosquito repellant if students are participating in after school activities and will be outside in the evening.
• The AISD will have DEET containing mosquito repellents for students who remain after school to participate in outdoor school sponsored activities. In this case parents are responsible for advising their children over the use of the DEET product. Parents should consider any allergies that their student may have to a DEET product. Students who choose to use the DEET product will obtain the product from the AISD staff for self-application outdoors only.

The district has posted information on ways to prevent West Nile on its website and social media outlets. Coaches and band directors will also share the information with students who are participating in outdoor practices. Facilities Services has directed custodial staff to actively monitor and report any standing pools of water so they may be addressed. Custodians at each location are to do an initial site survey for standing water and perform additional surveys after each rain event.