Dear Parents and Guardians,
Now that the back-to-school rush is behind us, I hope everyone is settling comfortably into their routines. As we’ve joyfully come back together, we’re also beginning to see the less welcome routine of the viruses that tend to circulate each fall.
While illness may be common this time of year, we would all prefer to keep it out of our homes and classrooms. One of the best ways we can help prevent the spread of illness is to keep children home when they are sick. Classrooms function more effectively, and children are better able to engage in learning when they are healthy and well. Keeping students home when they are sick helps them recover more quickly and helps prevent illness from spreading any further.
Dr. Ellis, the USVI's epidemiologist, recently shared that we are seeing a spike in COVID-19 cases on St. Croix, with COVID-19 currently being the only virus testing positive in public schools. With this in mind, I encourage families to err on the side of caution when faced with the morning dilemma, “Is my child well enough to go to school?” When appropriate, please consider diagnostic testing (and remember to check that home tests have not expired) and share positive results with me. This information helps us better understand what illnesses may be circulating in our school community.
As we move into this season, I’d like to offer some guidance and gentle reminders about when to keep sick children home and how to help them recover comfortably.
Please keep your child home from school if they are:
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Running a fever (100 degrees or higher) and are not yet fever-free without fever-reducing medication within the last 24 hours.
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Vomiting or experiencing diarrhea within the last 24 hours.
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Experiencing symptoms that are getting worse rather than improving.
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Showing signs of a contagious illness
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Developed an unexplained rash. Please seek your child's primary care provider's guidance prior to returning to school.
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Are still recovering from an illness and are too fatigued, uncomfortable, or unwell to participate in a normal school day.
For minor illnesses, supportive care at home can often help your child feel more comfortable while they recover. Helpful measures may include:
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Encouraging plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.
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Allowing extra rest and adequate sleep.
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Offering nutritious foods as tolerated.
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If appropriate for your child, using saline nasal spray for congestion.
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Encouraging hand washing and covering coughs and sneezes.
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Monitoring your child's symptoms and overall energy level.
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Following your healthcare provider's recommendations for any medications. Please do not send medication to school unless it has been properly authorized according to school policy.
Please remember that a child does not necessarily need to be completely symptom-free to return to school, we understand that coughs especially can take a week or more to resolve. The most important considerations are that they are well enough to participate in the school day and are not likely to spread an illness to others. If a child needs to be home sick from school for four (4) or more consecutive days, please visit your child’s pediatrician and obtain a doctor’s note prior to returning.
Thank you for helping us maintain a healthy school environment. We appreciate your partnership and your consideration of our entire school community. When in doubt, please feel free to reach out to me with questions about your child's ability to safely participate in the school day.
Warmly,
Clarissa
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