As you have probably heard, there is a lot of flu around this year. Both respiratory and gastrointestinal illnesses have been circulating in the schools. Remember all of these stay healthy tips:

 Handwashing is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of illness.

• Wash your hands often — when they are dirty, before eating, after using the restroom and after sneezing into a tissue
• Use soap and warm water and rub your hands together for at least 15 seconds before rinsing and drying.
• Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are ok to use when your hands aren’t visibly dirty

Cough Etiquette

• Avoid coughing or sneezing into your hands – use a tissue or your elbow

Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.

Stay away from people who are sick, and stay home when you are sick

If your child unfortunately does get sick, please follow the illness policy of the Newton Public Schools. You must keep a child at home if s/he has:

• a fever over 100 degrees Fahrenheit during the past 24 hours (or has taken a fever reducing medication within the past 24 hours)
• a cold in the active stages: coughing, running nose, sneezing
• a sore throat and/or swollen neck glands
• an undiagnosed rash or skin eruption
• vomiting or diarrhea during the past 24 hours
• head lice that has not been treated

If you are uncertain if your child should come to school, please contact the school nurse. Additionally, it is helpful if you report illness to the school when keeping your child home. Nurses monitor illness patterns throughout the school district.

Deana Salameh, RN               (617) -559-6755