School, Health and Safety Guidelines

POND COVE ILLNESS GUIDELINES:

(**We have immunocompromised students in our school so it is really important that you follow these guidelines**

Please do not send your child to school if he/she exhibits one or more of the following symptoms:

FEVER - fever is defined as having a temperature of 100.4 degrees F or higher taken orally or in the ear

DIARRHEA or VOMITING - one or more times in the last 24 hours

STREP THROAT, IMPETIGO and OTHER BACTERIAL INFECTIONS - requiring antibiotics - keep your child home until they have been on antibiotics for a FULL 24 hours

EARACHE - severe or constant

PINK EYE - constant drainage from the eye or inflammation of the conjunctiva/ mucous membranes of the eye

Do you think your child might have COVID-19?

 If your child is exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms, please test your child prior to sending them to school. If your child tests positive please follow the guidance below and contact our school nurse regarding return to school. If the test result is negative, repeat the COVID-19 test in 48 hours. Symptoms should be improved before your child returns to school. 

 If your child was exposed to COVID-19 and does not have symptoms, wait at least 5 full days after their exposure before testing. **Your child should be sent to school wearing a mask if he/she has had a known COVID-19 exposure but is not exhibiting symptoms. Please see below for masking guidance:

What to do if you have COVID-19 (Isolation and other guidance)

What to Do If You Were Exposed to COVID-19 (masking and testing guidance)

COVID-19 Testing: What You Need to Know

FDA instructions on repeat testing 

 Children with any of the above symptoms cannot comfortably participate in program activities and unnecessarily expose others to their illnesses. They should stay home for at least 24 hours before returning to school. If you believe your child is too sick to go out to recess, they are probably too sick to attend school. 

**If you have concerns about your child’s illness, contact their healthcare provider.

Please review with your child these good hygiene techniques:

*Good Hand Hygiene - show children how to wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (as long as it takes to sing the ABC’s)

Hands should be washed: 

  • whenever they are visibly dirty

  • after coughing, sneezing, or blowing noses

  • after using the bathroom

  • before eating food

*When coughing or sneezing, one should cough/sneeze into their elbow (if you cough/sneeze into your hands or a tissue, wash hands)

Good videos to share with your child:

Stop Germs from Spreading: Wash Your Hands

How to wash your hands (handwashing technique taught by a student)

If you have any questions about these health guidelines, please contact our school nurse, Erin Taylor (etaylor@capeelizabethschools.org).

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION:

For playground safety, closed-toe footwear such as sneakers and other sturdy shoes are most appropriate for outdoor play. Please do not allow your child to wear sandals, clogs, flip-flops, and other open shoes to school that c

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