Countryside ● Hodgkins ● La Grange
701 S. Seventh Ave.
La Grange IL 60525-2798
November 11, 2014
Dear Parents/Guardians:
In light of recent reports of health-related issues affecting areas throughout our country
(Enterovirus D68, the Ebola virus, Norovirus, and the upcoming flu season), we wanted to share some information with you. Please note, that we have seen no reason for concern within our district, but are taking steps to be prepared.
What are we doing at school?
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We are closely watching attendance patterns at each school for concerning illnesses or trends of illness.
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If we find that many students are absent with illness symptoms or students have concerning symptoms, we will be in immediate contact with the Cook County
Department of Public Health/Illinois Department of Public Health for guidance.
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Students with signs of illness are sent to the nursing office, as always. Temperatures are checked, and families are called to pick up students who have a temperature of 100 or over, vomiting, diarrhea, other concerning symptoms, or who do not appear or feel well enough to remain at school.
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Our custodial staff cleans and disinfects restrooms and disinfects frequently touched surfaces such as door handles and desks during each night shift.
The Library Media
Specialist staff also recently began wiping down keyboard surfaces and mice each night.
The staff also encourages students to use hand sanitizer prior using computers in the libraries.
What can you do to help?
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Keep students home if they have the following: o Fevers (temperature of 100 or above). Students who have a fever need to stay home for at least 1 day after the fever is gone without the use of medications. Do not give students medications to reduce the fever and then send them to school. o Vomiting and/or diarrhea. Students should be kept at home with these symptoms and must be 24 hours without these symptoms prior to returning to school. o Rashes that have not been checked by a doctor. If the student will be coming to school with a rash that the doctor has checked, a doctor’s note is required noting that the student is cleared to come to school.
Gurrie Middle School ● Hodgkins ● Ideal ● Seventh Avenue ● Spring Avenue

o Red, pink, crusty, irritated eyes. If your student will be coming to school with red, pink, crusty, or irritated eyes that the doctor has checked, a doctor’s note is required noting that the student is cleared for school attendance. o Any problems like severe coughing, colds, sore throats, earaches, or stomachaches that will make it hard for the student to participate comfortably in the school day.
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Please have plans in place in case your student needs to be sent home ill from school.
Plan for who might be available to pick students up and have a back-up plan.
 Make sure family contact phone numbers are up to date in the school’s office.
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Report specific symptoms when calling students in sick (e.g. fever, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash) and let us know if the doctor has made any diagnosis. You may leave this information with the school secretary or on the attendance voicemail.
What can we do to prevent illness? Please provide frequent reminders to your children to help keep them healthy.

Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water. Spend at least 20 seconds washing. Easy ways to teach children to spend 20 seconds: hum the Happy Birthday song twice, sing it silently in their head, or count slowly from 1-20.
 Keep hands away from the mouth, eyes, and nose.
 Cover coughs with the inside bend of the elbow or a tissue (and throw the tissue right in the garbage).
 Avoid sharing eating utensils or drinking cups/straws.
Thank you for helping to keep our schools safe and healthy places to learn. Please feel free to call your child’s school and/or school nurse if you have any questions or would like further information.
Sincerely,
Shelby Raney
School District 105 Nurse