News

Cold and flu season is upon us.  To prevent widespread illness in the school, we recommend that your child stay home from school if experiencing flu or cold symptoms.  To decide whether or not to send your child to school, please consider the following guidelines:
 
Consider keeping your child at home for a day of rest and observation if he or she has any of the following symptoms:

• Very stuffy or runny nose and/or cough
• Mild sore throat (no fever, no known exposure to strep)
• Headache
• Stomach ache

 
Definitely keep your child at home for treatment and observation if he or she has any of these symptoms:

• Fever (greater than 100 degrees and your child may return to school only after his or her temperature has been consistently below 100 degrees, by mouth, for a minimum of 24 hours)
• Vomiting (even once)
• Diarrhea
• Chills
• General malaise or feelings of fatigue, discomfort, weakness or muscle aches
• Frequent congested (wet) or croupy cough

 
To help prevent the flu and other colds, teach your children good hygiene habits:

• Wash hands frequently for 20 seconds (Sing the alphabet song)
• Do not touch eyes, nose or mouth
• Cover mouth and nose with a paper tissue when sneezing or coughing, throw it away and then wash hands
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

 
Colds are the most contagious during the first 48 hours.  A child who has a fever should remain at home until “fever free”, without medicine, for a minimum of 24 hours.  Often when a child awakens with vague complaints (the way colds and flu begin) it is wise to observe your child at home for an hour or two before deciding whether to bring to school. Keeping a sick child at home will minimize the spread of infections and viruses in the classroom.
 
Each school’s custodians disinfect surfaces, doorknobs, and banisters on a daily basis. We are also ensuring that there is soap and hand sanitizer in all dispensers and encouraging everyone to remind students about the importance of hand washing.  
 
 Thank you in advance for helping make this year at school as healthy as possible. Remember to reach out to [email protected] if you have any questions.