Dear Parents,

Today, your child learned about how our bodies fight germs so that we stay healthy.  We taught 
your child that there are cells of the immune system, called B cells and T cells, that protect us 
from germs.  When our B cells and T cells attack germs, the germs are destroyed and we stay 
healthy.

Despite the fact that we have such a great defense against germs, we still get sick.  This is due to 
the fact that some germs can outwit our immune system for a while.  Eventually, our immune 
system defeats the germ and we get better.  Today, we explained to your child that we can train 
our immune system.  We taught your child that after a vaccination, their immune system is 
trained to fight the germs, just like an army trains for a battle.  Once the B cells and T cells of the 
immune system have been trained for battle, they are more efficient in attacking the germs that 
get into our bodies.  Thus, we are more likely to stay healthy.

You may want to ask your child about what they learned in class today.  You can ask them about 
B cells (who are the footsoldiers of the immune army) and T cells (who are like the generals in 
the immune army).

We really enjoyed spending time with your child today.  We hope that they learned about how 
their bodies fight off germs and why they need vaccinations.  (Maybe they won=t be so upset the 
next time that they have to get a shot.)

Sincerely,

Michelle A. Swanson
Kathy Cho
Quentin Low
Amornrat Kanjanahaluethai
Ute Osmers
Cris Kamperschroer