Dear Parents,

This letter is sent home to ask for your help in curbing the spread of illness in our classrooms. Respiratory illnesses, viral and bacterial infections are often a problem in primary classrooms, especially in the coming winter months.  Young children are notoriously good at spreading germs, but there are some areas than can be addressed.

It cannot be stressed enough about the importance of proper handwashing as a first line measure to prevent the spread of disease and illnesses.  Again, handwashing must be encouraged throughout the day and parental support is needed to provide the children with life long healthy habits.

1. Remind your children to wash their hands thoroughly before eating and throughout the day.
2. Discourage sharing of water bottles and drinking glasses, and utensils with other people.
3. Encourage your child to keep their hands and other objects out of their mouths (ex. Sucking thumbs, chewing on pencils or other objects, biting on nails)
4. Contact your physician if your child has a fever and a sore throat.
5. Keep your child home from school if they have a fever at least until symptom free for 24 hours.

If your child is being treated for a bacterial infection with antibiotics, they may return to school usually after taking three doses. Your child’s physician can help you determine this if they are treating him/her with medication. However, make sure that they are truly feeling better and able to make it through 6 hours of the school day.   If they still seem tired, pale, with little appetite and generally "not him/herself", PLEASE do not send them to school.  With viral illnesses it may take longer before your child is well enough to return to school. Your child must also be without a fever, vomiting, or diarrhea for 24 hours before being allowed to come back to school. This will help keep other students and teachers in the classroom healthy.

If your child has a "cold" with a persistent cough, runny nose that they cannot manage by themselves and contain with tissues, and/or seems tired and listless, PLEASE do not send him/her to school.  They are gaining nothing from the school day, not to mention, "sharing" their cold with every hand they touch.

You know your child best and can usually tell if they are not feeling well.  Trust your instincts.   While school attendance is important, your child's teacher agrees that a sick child does not belong in school.

Thank you for helping us to improve the general health of Johnson School.    If you have any questions, please call me at 581-1600.

Sincerely,

Cheryl DiLisio, R.N.