We wanted to take a brief moment to offer a medical reminder about cold and flu season. As you may know already, the respiratory virus, cold, and flu season started early this year and has had an unusually protracted time frame which is still impacting us today.
Both nationally and locally, these illnesses have actually been ramping up as of late, and the Springfield School District has not been immune to their effects. We feel it is important that we review some simple precautions that can be taken to limit yours and others’ risk of being exposed to any cold or flu viruses.
As with most viruses, preventing exposure is the key to safeguarding oneself from catching them.
Avoid close contact with sick people
Wash your hands often – Best practice is to hum the “Happy Birthday” song while washing to insure an effective washing.
Cover your coughs and sneezes – into a tissue or utilizing a bent elbow rather than your hands
Do not share drinks or food with individuals that appear sick or have been exposed
Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands
Clean and disinfect surfaces at home –Our custodial staff is engaged in ongoing and regular cleaning at schools with hospital grade cleansers and disinfectants.
And most importantly, stay home when you are sick.
We would also like to take a moment to remind you of symptoms that should be considered in keeping your child home.
-Temperature of 100 degrees or more within the past 24 hours (without Tylenol or other anti-fever medication).
-Vomiting or diarrhea within the past 24 hours.
-While waiting for and / or a positive throat culture for strep: student should be on antibiotic treatment for 24-48 hours before returning to school. IMPORTANT! Some antibiotic treatments may require a longer period of waiting before returning to school. Please consult your physician for more information.
-Persistent cough or runny nose accompanied by body aches.
-Other symptoms that when present would necessitate a trip to the doctor for relief.
As always, please remind your child about frequent hand washing and covering of coughs and sneezes. These simple actions are the most effective means of preventing the spread of colds, flu and most communicable diseases.
Welcome to the Nurse’s Corner! Our goal is to keep students as healthy and safe as possible for an optimal learning experience. We would like to remind everyone to be mindful of the other children in the school. If your child presents with symptoms that appear contagious or uncomfortable to your child, please consider keeping your child at home. If your child is diagnosed with an illness that is contagious, you must report this to us before sending your child back to school. A letter of clearance will be required from their pediatrician in order for your child to return.
If your child has a fever, a temperature over 100.6, your child needs to remain home until fever free for 24 hours. If your child is sent home with a fever, they are not to return to school the following day. They are to be kept home until they no longer have a temperature over 100.6 for greater than 24 hours.
Hand, foot and mouth is a common illness and very contagious. Your child will need to remain home until all sores are scabbed over and healing. If your child presents with any skin sores or blisters, your child will be sent home and will not be able to return until a letter is submitted from the pediatrician confirming treatment and clearance to return to school. Please inform your child's teacher if diagnosed.
Lice is also common and very contagious. If your child has lice it is very important to report it to their teacher. Your child can not return to school until hair is completely cleared of all bugs and nits. Proof of treatment is required upon returning to school. Your child will be assessed by the nurse prior to the start of the day. Your child will be sent home if any bugs or nits are noted following treatment.
The stomach bug is another common illness. Symptoms can also include nausea with no vomiting and/or diarrhea. If your child has a stomach bug, please keep your child home until they are no longer vomiting or having diarrhea. A fever is not always present, but again if your child has a fever they can not return until fever free for 24 hours.
The common cold is very common and very bothersome. Of course we do not expect you to keep your child home for the sniffles, but we are asking that you do not send your child in with yellow or green drainage from their nose. Such drainage is usually linked to an infection and it is not recommended for your child to attend school at that time.
If your child appears "under the weather" it is best to keep your child home until feeling better or until they have been seen by their pediatrician.
We appreciate everyone's cooperation in order to keep Saint Francis a happy and healthy environment. If anyone should have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out at any time.
God Bless,
Mrs. Nicole Hamilton, M.Ed., Principal and Mrs. Erica Zane, RN, BSN, School Nurse