Flu Information

Flu Information for Parents and Guardians

Flu season typically starts in late fall and continues in to the early summer months. The same recommendations are in place for this flu season. Any time we have a concern about incidences of illness among our school students or staff, the Health Services staff contacts the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) and our school physician, Dr. Sheryl Silva, to ensure that we are doing all of the necessary precautions. As parents you can help us be vigilant in the following areas:

• Have your child (6 months and older) vaccinated 
• Know the symptoms of "ILI," temperature greater than 100 degrees F (CDC) or 100.4 degrees F (Mass DPH) and a cough or sore throat 
• All sick staff and students should stay home for at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever without the use of medication 
• Support the nurses if they suspect your child has influenza-like illness and use a fun looking surgical mask to minimize exposure while your student waits to go home 
• Proper hand washing and cough etiquette will be reviewed in the schools so please continue those practices at home 
• Remind students not to share eating utensils, cups, or water bottles 
• "High touch" surfaces will be cleaned with normal cleaning agents in a routine schedule (once respiratory secretions containing the virus dry out, the virus is no longer infectious )