The peak of the cold and flu season is upon us. We now have some confirmed cases of Influenza in all four of the Fairfield Union School Buildings. To prevent widespread flu in the school, we recommend that your child stay home from school if experiencing flu symptoms. If you have any questions concerning your child’s symptoms you should contact your health care provider. When deciding whether or not to send your child to school, please consider the following guidelines:
Definitely keep your child at home for treatment and observation if he or she has any of these symptoms:
• Fever (greater than 100 degrees and your child may return to school only after his or her temperature has been consistently below 100 degrees, by mouth, for a minimum of 24 hours without the aid of fever reducers)
• Vomiting (even once)
• Diarrhea
• Chills
• General malaise or feelings of fatigue, discomfort, weakness or muscle aches
• Frequent congested (wet) or croupy cough
To help prevent the flu and other colds, teach your children good hygiene habits:
• Get the flu vaccine every year. There's no guaranteed way to avoid the flu, but getting a flu shot may help
• Encourage students to wash hands often with soap and warm water for 15-20 seconds. Set a good example by doing this yourself.
• Do not touch eyes, nose or mouth
• Cover mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing, use a paper tissue, throw it away and then wash hands
• Clean and disinfect surfaces or objects.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Flu and colds are the most contagious during the first 48 hours. A child who has a fever should remain at home until "fever free" for a minimum of 24 hours. Your child should be physically able to participate in all school activities on return to school. Keeping a sick child at home will minimize the spread of infections and viruses in the classroom.
As a school, we have our custodians disinfect surfaces, door knobs, banisters, and pencil sharpeners etc. on a daily basis. We are also ensuring that there is soap in all dispensers and encouraging everyone to remind students about the importance of hand washing.
Please take the time to click on the links below for flu guides for parents from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).