As the cold, flu, and sore throat season approaches, parents should be aware of certain guidelines to help protect the health of their children and to control the spread of contagious illnesses in our classrooms. Viral illnesses (such as colds and flu*) love to spread from the infected person to others early in the illness through sneezing, coughing, and nasal drainage.  Since preschoolers are not known for their germ-busting hygiene (although we’re working on it), illness can spread more quickly in the younger population.  It is also important to remember that when your child is coming down with something such as a cold or flu, he/she is most contagious to other children. The extra rest your child will receive by being kept home at this time would be most beneficial. Lastly, please help us control the spread of illness by reminding your child to use tissues as needed and to wash their hands frequently.

We have many medically fragile children who attend Jefferson.  These children often have immune systems which are more susceptible to illness.  If you are wondering whether your student is well enough to attend school, please use the following guidelines to help you decide whether or not to keep your child home.

Students should NOT attend school if they have any of the following signs or symptoms:

1. Upper respiratory infections:  cold symptoms serious enough to interfere with your child’s ability to keep up with the school day’s activities, a constant runny nose, frequent/continual coughing, or nasal discharge that is green.

2. Symptoms of conjunctivitis or pinkeye:  any discharge from one or both eyes, redness of the eye, itching, or crusts on eyelids. May return to school with a doctor’s note and after being treated with medication for 24 hours.

3. Any illness that is accompanied by decreased energy and an inability to sustain usual daily activity level.

4.  Gastrointestinal problems:  stomachaches, vomiting, diarrhea. If your child has diarrhea at school,

    he/she will be sent home to prevent the spread of a potentially contagious illness. Your child should

    be kept home until he/she has not experienced a bout of diarrhea for 24 hours.

5.  Fever of 100° or > by mouth (fever of 99° or > under the arm).  Temperature should be normal

   (≤99.6° by mouth / ≤98.6° under the arm) without using fever-reducing medication for 24 hours  

   prior to returning to school.

6. Any rash until diagnosed by a physician.

7. Severe, persistent pain, including injury.

8. If antibiotics are prescribed, they must be given for 24° before the students may return to school.

Thank you for your help in this matter!

*The flu shot is especially recommended for children 6-23 months, children/adults with chronic health conditions (including asthma), pregnant women, household contacts and caregivers of children less than 6 months of age.