· Installing ultraviolet bulbs on the major air handling system
The Cathedral School expects parents to respond in a timely manner to the school’s concerns and reports, and to follow the Well Child Policy guidelines regarding their child’s departure from and return to the school. As parents, we understand that you also expect the facility will be properly cleaned and for the staff to use “best health practices” to prevent the spread of illnesses.
If a child has a fever of 100 degrees or lower, a call will be placed to the parent(s). However, if the temperature of a child is in excess of 100 degrees, the parent(s) will be notified of the need to come pick the child up from school. The temperature will be determined by sanitary thermometers kept in the front office of the school. The child will be checked if a temperature is thought to have occurred and monitored thereafter for improvement.
If a child is congested with a head cold (i.e., clear mucus, no fever), we will administer medicine as outlined below to maintain the child’s comfort. However, if the child appears to have an infection (i.e., green mucus) or is having respiratory problems, the parent(s) will be notified of the need to come pick the child up from school for medical attention.
If a child has a very loose bowel movement, we will call the parent(s). After the second occurrence of diarrhea, the parent(s) will be notified to come pick the child up from school. Children are most contagious early in these episodes and we appreciate parents’ urgent and timely response.
If a child is vomiting, the parent(s) will be called immediately come pick the child up from school.
If a child appears to be excessively fussy and are lethargic (i.e., loss of energy and enthusiasm, abnormal behaviors or interactions), we will call the parent(s) to notify them of our concern. If the child continues to be abnormally uncomfortable and lethargic based on the staff’s judgment of the child’s well-being, the parent(s) will be notified of the need to come pick the child up from school.
Fever-related illnesses
Students should not be sent to school with a fever. A child should be “fever free” for 24 hours, without medication, before returning to school. If a child contracts a contagious disease, the parent should notify the school immediately so information related to the illness may be communicated to other parents. A child’s name will not be disclosed in any communication regarding contagious disease.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
RSV is a common virus responsible for mild symptoms of the common cold in older children and adults. In infants and young children, RSV infection may cause only mild cold symptoms; however, it may produce serious lower respiratory tract infections, particularly pneumonia (lung infection) and bronchiolitis (infection of the smaller airways).
It is easily spread by physical contact. Touching, kissing and shaking hands with an infected person can spread RSV. It is also spread by sneezing or coughing and can live up to 6 hours on countertops and for several hours on used tissues. RSV often spreads very quickly in crowded households and preschool centers. Nearly all babies are exposed to RSV by age 2.
Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis, commonly known as pinkeye, is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, the clear membrane that covers the white part of the eye and lines the inner surface of the eyelids. It is a fairly common condition and usually causes no danger to the eye or your child’s vision. The inflammation can have many causes, the most common of which are infectious, and irritant.
Infectious conjunctivitis is usually caused by either bacteria or viruses. All types of infectious conjunctivitis are contagious and can spread from one eye to the other by touching the eyes. The incubation time for bacterial conjunctivitis is a few days. In viral cases, it can be up to one week.
Return Policy
A child may return to school when he/she is symptom-free, medicated for twenty-four (24) hours with antibiotics, or with a medical doctor’s authorization. In an effort to provide flexibility to our working parents, we request and assume that all parents will do what is in the best interest of the child. Please keep the school’s administration appraised of your child’s improving health.
Dispersal of Medications
All medications should be left at the front desk with a Medical Release Form filled out directing the staff of the medicine type, amount to dispense, times needed, and other pertinent information. All prescription medications must be in the original container with the doctor’s prescription label affixed. Following the Department of Children and Families’ (DCF) policy, we are unable to dispense over-the-counter medications to children under the age of two without a doctor’s daily instructions.