Simple steps can help keep kids healthy

Recent reports of measles cases in California are a good reminder of the importance of taking steps to stay healthy now and all year long.

Just like we do at school, encourage your child to frequently wash his or her hands, cover coughs and sneezes, and avoid sharing food or drinks with others. Don't send your child to school if he or she is running a fever of 100 degrees or higher, and has one or more of the following symptoms: a cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, vomiting or diarrhea, extreme fatigue, or a rash. Verify the immunization status of your child as well as family and close contacts. (Two MMR shots show 99% effectiveness against Measles, Mumps, and Rubella.) Watch for more information from the Fresno County Health Department about California's recent Measles cases in local television and newspaper reports. Measles symptoms include fever (often high); cough; runny nose; red eyes; and rash (usually starting on the face and spreading down the body).

Before sending your child back to school after an illness, make sure he or she is fever-free (without the use of a fever reducer, like Tylenol) for 24 hours. Students who arrive at school with illness symptoms like those mentioned above will be sent home to recover.

Clovis Unified will continue to conduct daily sanitation of bathrooms and high contact areas such as door knobs and countertops, but the best protection against colds, flu and the recent measles outbreak are the simple steps listed above.

Because the use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs adversely affects a student's ability to achieve academic success, is physically and emotionally harmful, and has serious social and legal consequences, the Governing Board believes it is necessary for the schools of the District to be free of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. (See addendum)

In case of minor injuries, first aid is administered. If there is a serious accident or a child becomes ill, an attempt is made to call the home or reach a parent at work, immediately. In the event a parent cannot be reached, the school will send the child to the hospital when necessary.

New changes in the California State law now require that all students entering first grade receive a physical examination before the start of school. The school must receive a copy of the physical before the first day of school. Physicals form.

Parents of kindergarten children and those registering from out of state will provide proof of immunization at the time of registration. Those transferring from other schools in California will provide immunization dates, if Mickey Cox has not received their transferred records within thirty (30) days.

The administration of prescribed medication to a student during school hours will be permitted only when failure to take such medicine would jeopardize the health of the student, and the student would not be able to attend school if the medicine were not available to him/her during school hours. If it is necessary for your child to have medication at school, please obtain a written order from the prescribing physician, stating the dosage, the time at which or special circumstances under which the medication shall be administered and the length of time for which medication is prescribed. A parent authorization form is also required. This also includes any over the counter or prescription medications including aspirin, Tylenol, vitamins, antihistamines, throat lozenges, etc. All medicines must be kept in the school office in their original pharmacy container.

If a child is to be excused from P.E. for more than a 3 day period, a doctor's excuse will be required. This is district policy.

If your child complains of stomachache, ear ache, sore throat and cold symptoms or has not been free of fever for at least 24 hours, he/she should be kept home for observation. If your child is absent because of one of the following diseases, please notify the school office: CHICKEN POX, MUMPS, RED MEASLES (RUBEOLA), GERMAN MEASLES (RUEBELLA), IMPETIGO, PINK EYE, RINGWORM AND LICE. Any child with a temperature of 99.4 or over should not be sent to school.

Chicken Pox 14 to 21 days Minimum 7 days after appearance of pox and all crusts are dry German Measles 14 to 21 days When rash is all gone. (It will usually be 18 days, avoid contact with non immune pregnant women.) Influenza 1 to 3 days On complete recovery Measles 10 days Minimum 7 days after appearance of rash. Strict isolation from children under 3 years Mumps 12 to 26 days When swelling of the salivary glands has subsided, usually 10 days Ringworm Unknown Must be under treatment and visible lesions covered Scabies (Itch) 24 to 48 hours Must remain home until completely cleared Scarlet Fever 2 to 5 days May return when fever, sore throat, and rash are gone after being treated with an effective antibiotic Whooping Cough 7 to 10 days At least 21 days after appearance of typical cough and on recovery