Here are a few tips and ideas to help all of us keep ourselves and our children as healthy as possible during this school year and impending flu season.
Here are some ways at school and at home to help decrease the spread of any illness:
- Encourage handwashing for everyone. Disinfectant hand sanitizers have been placed in all classrooms next to the doors.
- Our teachers and staff are encouraging all children to use the sanitizers every time they come into the classroom. All children are reminded to wash their hands whenever they are in the restrooms.
- Encourage everyone to use the "cough into the elbow" technique or use tissues, dispose of them in trash cans, and wash their hands.
- We have placed disinfectant wipes in all classrooms and other areas so the desk tops, door knobs, shelves, etc. can be cleaned frequently.
- We are trying to make sure that students who appear ill are sent to the school nurse or appropriate school office to be evaluated.
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Students who have been sick at home or school or had a fever during the last 24 hours need to be kept at home for at least 24 hours following the illness.
Our general policy for sending students home with illness is:
Fever of 100 or more; nausea &/or vomiting; diarrhea; child who appears acutely ill; loud, frequent/continuous coughing with discomfort in chest or wheezing. Fever is NOT the only criteria we use to determine whether a child is able to function at school or not. If your child has any of these symptoms PLEASE DO NOT SEND THEM TO SCHOOL. KEEP THEM AT HOME FOR AT LEAST 24 HOURS FOLLOWING THE ILLNESS/SYMPTOMS.
Please make sure your child gets adequate rest/sleep, food and liquids.
The Texas Department of State Health Services has been very helpful in keeping schools informed about flu illnesses and vaccines. Seasonal flu vaccine is becoming available in doctors' offices and health departments now. TxDSHS will notify us when the H1N1 vaccine is available. Contact your family doctor or Health Department for more information. You may contact Ginny Hagan, RN, Pewitt School Nurse, with any questions or concerns.
