Dear Parent/Guardian,

The cold and flu season is upon us.  We have seen lots of illnesses and sent many children home.  Although we want your children to attend school, there are times when it would be better, for your child and the school, if your child did not attend school.  Our procedure is to try and keep children in school if they do not have a fever, vomiting, diarrhea or any other obvious signs of illness.  The following are guidelines that will help you decide whether or not to send your child to school:

• Your child MUST be fever or vomiting free (without medication) for 24 hours prior to coming to school.  This means if your child is sent home  with fever or vomiting, they may not come back to school the next day.

• If your child has green nasal drainage, this may indicate an infection.  Please take your child to the doctor before bringing him/her to school.

• Most children  can stay in school with a minor cold.  This means no fever, clear nasal drainage, and generally feeling good.

• If your child wakes up in the morning with one or both eyes matted and red or swollen, take your child to the doctor before bringing him/her to school.

• If your child has a rash over most of his/her body which has not been diagnosed by a doctor, do not send your child to school.

If your child complains of not feeling well BEFORE school, please do not tell him/her to call you if he/she does not feel better.  Almost every child will immediately come to the office and tell the nurse what you said, then follow up with the statement that he/she does not feel good and needs to go home.  Instead, assess your child (including temperature check) and either keep your child at home or tell him/her that he/she is fever-free and needs to attend school.  Do NOT mention to the child to call you from school.  Instead, please call the school and let the nurse or secretary know about your child's condition.  If your child then comes to the office, we will call you at your request.

All medications brought to school require a permit signed by the parent or guardian.  Any medication sent to school without a permit will not be given at school.  All medication must be in the original container - medication in baggies, foil, Kleenex or envelopes will not be given at school.

Thank you for your cooperation in helping keep your child and our school staff healthy.