Important Health Guidelines for Parents/Guardians
Cold, Flu, RSV, and COVID Season Update
Parents/Guardians,
It is cold and flu season and unfortunately, we are seeing an increase in Flu, RSV, and Covid cases. Please review the following health procedure information regarding cold and flu symptoms and how to protect yourself and children from getting sick.
Should your student miss school due to illness, communicate with the school and teacher to let them know when your student will be absent and if possible, when they will be able to return.
Please note, the school nurse is NOT allowed to administer cough drops, or any other medications to a student without a Medication Administration Authorization form.
A student should stay home if:
- Fever of 100.4°F or more - student should stay home until he/she has been fever free for at least 24 hours without the aid of fever reducing medications such as Tylenol or Ibuprofen. Please do not give your child medication to treat a fever and send him/her to school.
- Sore Throat - a child with a mild sore throat, no fever and otherwise feeling well, may be fine to attend school. A severe sore throat could be a symptom of a more serious illness. If your child is diagnosed with a throat infection and antibiotics are prescribed, your child may return to school 24 hours after antibiotic treatment has been started if he/she is fever free.
- Cough - a child with a mild cough, no fever, or other symptoms of illness can usually remain at school. A child with a deep, uncontrollable, or productive cough should stay at home, especially if the cough is accompanied by fever or other symptoms of illness.
- Vomiting and/or diarrhea - student may return to school 24 hours after the last episode of vomiting and/or diarrhea if he/she has no other symptoms of illness and it is not being controlled with medication.
- Eye inflammation or discharge - a child whose eye is red with cloudy or yellow/green drainage, matted eyelids after sleep, eye pain, and/or redness should be kept home and evaluated by a health care provider. If the child is diagnosed with "Pink eye," he/she may return to school 24 hours after treatment has begun.
How does the flu and other viruses spread?
Flu virus spreads by droplets made when infected people cough, sneeze, or talk.
Symptoms include:
| Fever | Body Aches |
| Cough | Headache |
| Sore Throat | Chills |
| Runny or STuffy Nose | Fatigue |
Ways to protect yourself form the flu or other illnesses:
- Wash hands often with soap and water or use hand sanitizer
- Get the flu shot
- Stay away from people who are sick
- Stay home for at least 24 hours after the fever is gone, without the use of Tylenol, Ibuprofen, or other fever-reducing medications
- Cover your mouth and nose in your arm when you cough or sneeze
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
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