SAN DIEGO -- San Diego Unified School District officials are taking steps to prevent the spread of swine flu, Superintendent Terry Grier said.

"I think the most important thing we can do is be proactive and focus on prevention," Grier said at a Board of Education meeting.

Grier said information has been sent to schools throughout the district in multiple languages and a dedicated page is being developed on the district's Web site.

A telephone message was sent Tuesday to parents and district employees to inform them of actions being taken by the district to stem the spread of the virus, Grier said.

Grier said officials are even confirming that all school bathrooms have soap and towels, because regular and thorough hand washing is considered a prime deterrent to the spread of the illness.

A private school in Mira Mesa not affiliated with the district was closed when a student was infected and six teachers fell ill, but it was determined none of the instructors contracted the virus.

No SDUSD schools have been affected and any eventual closures would be up to county health authorities, Grier said.

Grier asked parents to keep students home who exhibit two symptoms of swine flu, which include coughing, sneezing and high temperatures like the seasonal flu. Students already in school who display such symptoms will be sent home, he said.