TCS Swine Flu Policy:

In the event that any of our students contract the swine flu, we encourage parents to keep their child home and to notify their classroom teacher and the school nurse.  Students who test positive for H1N1 are asked to remain home for the 7-day incubation period and until fever-free for 24 hours. If you have any questions regarding the TCS illness or swine flu policy, please contact our school nurse, Lisa Attinasi at lattinasi@tcslj.org or 858-454-0184.

 Recommendations for Parents of ill children:

1. Keep your child home at the beginning of any illness.  This is when they are the most contagious.  Symptoms may be as subtle as being over-tired, achey or having a headache or sore throat. Children with H1N1 usually feel sick 12-24 hrs before they present with a fever.
2.  All children who have a fever of 100 F or higher, should stay home until 24 hours after the last time the fever occurred.  It is common for fevers to last 3-7 days with H1N1.  Contact  your teacher for school work that can be   completed at home.
3. If your child is experiencing a lot of coughing, even without fever, please keep them at home until the cough improves.
4. Always contact your family pediatrician if you have questions or concerns regarding your individual child.

The Children’s School Illness Policy

Please keep your child home if he/she exhibits any of the following:

1. A fever (a temperature of 100 F or higher). A child must be fever free without medication (Tylenol, Advil, etc) for at least 24 hours before returning to school.
2. An unusual rash of any kind. An exception would be a rash due to an antibiotic reaction or eczema.
3. Any contagious disease such as (but not limited to): flu, chickenpox, measles, mumps, pink-eye and an active case of head lice. Please report any occurrence of these contagious diseases to the office.
4. Any eye infection/irritation with discharge. Your child may return after being examined by MD and/or having been on appropriate medication for 24 hours.
5. An ear or throat infection. Your child may return after being examined by MD and/or is on appropriate medication for 24 hours.
6. Has had vomiting or diarrhea. Your child must be symptom free for 24 hours before returning to school.
7. If your child has been breathing rapidly, nasally with effort or wheezing.
8. Has been diagnosed as ill or is behaving ill in any way (acute cold or flu symptoms, hacking persistent cough, headache).

Please assess the comfort of your child before coming to school. If your child is listless, pale or unusually irritable, this would be reason to keep your child home. Notify the school office the same day if your child stays home due to illness. Should your child become ill during the school day, the parents will be notified and possibly asked to pick up the student. When the school calls and asks parents to pick up a sick child, parents are expected to pick up the child within the hour.
When there is an exposure to a communicable disease, families will be notified.

Let’s Stay Healthy!
Here are some basic recommendations for keeping your child healthy during the school year:
1. Make sure your child gets enough sleep. Most children need 8-10 hours a night.
2. Reinforce the importance of good hand washing. Sinks and soap are available in the classroom and children are encouraged to wash hands after toileting and before eating.
3. Pack water bottles in lunch boxes. Hydration is essential to good attention span.
4. Apply sunscreen before school. Children are outside for many activities during the course of their school day. Hats are also advisable.
5. Consider a rolling backpack if your child’s load is heavy.
6. Pack healthy lunches and snacks. Good nutrition impacts your child’s immunity, attention span and moods!