To prevent widespread flu in school, we recommend that your child stay home from school if you experience flu or cold symptoms. To decide whether or not to send your child to school, please consider the following guidelines:

Consider keeping your child at home for an extra day of rest and observation if he or she has any of the following symptoms:

*Very stuffy or runny nose and/or cough

*Mild sore throat (no fever, no known exposure to strep)

*Headache

*Stomach ache

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).

*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:

*Wash hands frequently.

*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.

*Avoid close contact with people who are sick.