Dear Zion Families and Staff,
Cold and flu season has arrived! As a result, we are seeing more students with communicable illnesses, such as colds and symptoms of the flu. Below are Zion Public School’s Guidelines regarding exclusion periods for sick children, as well as some preventative tips. Some of these illnesses are unavoidable, but there are several things we can do at home/school to help prevent illness and keep everyone feeling healthy. Please adhere to these guidelines and make note of the suggested habits. Let’s all work together to keep our school community and our homes as healthy as possible!
Exclusion Periods:
Please do NOT send your child to school if he/she has or has had:
Fever over 100 F within the last 24 hours (must be fever free without medication).
Vomiting or diarrhea within the last 24 hours
Continuous coughing not relieved by cough medicine.
Strep throat. They may return 24 hours after starting antibiotics.
Please check with the School Nurse or your doctor about other illnesses.
Please remember to notify the School Nurse or Front Office, if you child has a contagious illness. Also, please let us know if your phone number has changed, so we can contact you, if your child becomes ill while at school.
Helpful Tips for Staying Healthy:
Frequent hand washing is the BEST way to prevent and combat the spread of germs! Wash hands often with soap and water or hand sanitizer. Encourage your children/students to wash, especially before meals. (Have children/students sing the Happy Birthday song twice to ensure they’ve washed long enough.)
Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or use an elbow or arm, if tissue is unavailable.
Do not share drinks, food, or unwashed utensils.
Encourage plenty of rest. (School age children should get 9-11 hours of sleep each night. Adults should try to get at least 8 hours.)
Avoid people who are sick and stay home when you are sick.
Disinfect surfaces that are prone to germs (ex. phones, keyboards, desks, door knobs, toothbrushes).
Drink lots of fluids (Pop doesn’t count!) Also, eat a healthy diet, especially breakfast. I see a lot of students in the mornings with complaints of stomach and headaches, because they didn’t eat breakfast.
Dress appropriately for cold weather. Please help your child choose warm comfortable clothing for the school day. School Staff, please make sure students are wearing a jacket/coat when they’re outside for P.E. or recess.
Get your immunizations, like the flu shot or mist.
For more information, visit www.flu.gov or call 1-800-CDC-INFO for the most current information about the flu. Thank you for your consideration of others when your child/student might be contagious.
Sincerely,
Nurse Leach
918 696-7866
lisa.leach@zionjets.com