Dear Parent or Guardian,

Communicable diseases are those diseases that may be transmitted from person to person and are the most common cause of school absenteeism.  If your child wakes up and is not feeling well and/or has a temperature, please keep them home.  Not only are they not at their best to learn, but they may infect their peers, teachers and other staff.  Here are a few guidelines to follow during the school year.

Students should stay home from school if they have:

•·         Fever of 100.5 degrees or more

•·         An undiagnosed rash

•·         Vomiting, nausea or abdominal pain

•·         One or more episodes of diarrhea

•·         Yellow or green mucus discharge from the nose

•·         Complains of severe earache, with or without fever

•·         Severe sore throat with symptoms including possible strip throat

•·         Conjunctivitis (pink eye)

•·         Head lice

•·         Persistent cough

•·         Any sore oozing fluid or pus

Students should remain home:

•·         For 24 hours after their temperature returns to normal without any fever reducing medication

•·         For 24 hours after vomiting and diarrhea has ended

•·         Until a physician has determined the results of a throat culture for strep

•·         For 24 hours after the first dose of medications with a diagnosis of strep throat or conjunctivitis.

It is important that these symptoms be recognized quickly and steps taken to prevent them from spreading to safeguard the health of all students and staff.  If you have any questions or concerns you may contact the school health officer.

Sincerely,

Rhonda Watson, LPN

Health Officer