With the beginning of school, I have noticed that the germs are starting to take hold! In this newsletter you will find some information about when to keep your child home, our district's COVID-19 policy and information about the flu.

When to keep a child home

It is sometimes difficult to decide when a child should remain home from school.

Here are a few guidelines:

1. Fever of 100 degrees or higher

2. The first 24 hours after starting antibiotics for an infection, especially Conjunctivitis/Pink Eye, Impetigo or Strep Throat

3. Vomiting and/or Diarrhea during the night or in the morning

4. A very bad cold with heavy nasal congestion or a persistent cough that would make school difficult for them

5. Rash that could be contagious; rashes need to be checked by your child’s doctor

6. Excessive fatigue after an illness

7. When your child’s doctor recommends rest at home following an illness, injury or surgery

8. If your child has head lice, please notify the nurse at school. After treatment, they may be checked by the school nurse upon returning to school

9. If you are not sure about keeping your child home, call the school nurse or your child’s doctor

When a child can return to school

1. Child should be fever free for 24 hours without any fever reducing medications (Tylenol, acetaminophen, Motrin, ibuprofen, Advil, etc.)

2. 24 hours after beginning antibiotics for an infection and achieving a normal temperature for 24 hours

3. No vomiting or diarrhea for 24 hours

4. When cold symptoms lessen and nasal congestion is reduced or cough is no longer persistent

5. After a doctor has determined a rash is not contagious and the child can be in school

6. Fatigue has resolved and child is able to participate in normal activities and is able to eat and drink normally

7. When your child has been cleared by their doctor to return to school following an illness, injury or surgery

8. When your child has been treated for head lice and no longer has any live lice, the school nurse may check your child when they return to school.

Students and staff who test positive for COVID-19 must isolate for at least 5 days from the onset of symptoms or a positive test, whichever is earlier, this is considered day "0". If they are asymptomatic or symptoms are resolving and they have been fever free without the use of fever-reducing medicine for 24 hours, they may return to school on the 6th day, and are encouraged to wear a high-quality mask through Day 10. If the individual has a negative test on Day 5 or later, they do not need to mask.

Example: If your child tests positive on Saturday, this is day 0. Your child can return as long as they are fever-free on Friday (day 6) and are encouraged to wear a mask through Tuesday (Day 10, mask free on Wednesday)