The Department of Health (DOH) is addressing the current public health emergency in New Mexico caused by a rise in Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV).
I encourage you to read the entire document from the DOH, but I want to highlight the most important part for you as a parent (from bottom of page 2):
(3) Children who experience symptoms of RSV are advised to stay home from school and daycare settings and take appropriate precautions to prevent the transmission of illness in accordance with guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control.
(4) It is recommended that New Mexican families exercise additional precautions this holiday season to prevent transmission of RSV, including wearing masks when in indoor public settings and refraining from meeting with friends and family when experiencing respiratory disease symptoms.
(5) New Mexican families are strongly encouraged to obtain vaccinations and boosters for influenza and COVID-19 to prevent additional illness.
RSV is mainly spread through droplets from the nose and throat of infected people (sneezes and coughs) and through contact with contaminated surfaces. To help slow the spread, please practice good hygiene in the home and out in the community.
Regular hand washing or hand sanitizer use
Cover coughs--cough into your elbow instead of your hands
Use tissues to blow nose and throw them away immediately
Clean/sanitize high touch areas regularly throughout the day
If your child is sick, please keep them home until they are feeling well enough to participate at school and have been fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications (Tylenol, Motrin, ibuprofen, Nyquil/Dayquil, etc.). If your child is staying home, it is important that you report their illness to the school, either by entering the absence in ParentVue, leaving a message regarding attendance by calling the main school number, or contacting the school health office.
Also, COVID test kits are available in the health office. Please call the health office to report any positive COVID test results for your child so we can provide quarantine dates based on the latest guidelines, and your child's attendance can be entered properly to explain a prolonged absence.
Thank you for your help keeping our school community safe and healthy!
Contact the School Nurse with any questions or concerns.
Donations Needed in Health Office:
The health office is in need of clothes for students who need a change throughout the day. Please send pants for boys and girls in all sizes, preferably elastic waist. Underwear and socks are also in need. Please send these to the main office. If your child is sent home with a change of clothes, please make sure to wash and return ASAP. Thank you!
