School Health Policies

We ask that students and adults remain at home if they experience any of the following:

• Temperature that is 37.8C / 100F or higher (a fever)

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Red eyes with dark or "crusty" discharge

• Severe ear pain

• Severe headache

Students and adults may return to school after being symptom-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication or 24 hours after starting a course of antibiotics.

Questions or concerns? Please contact us.

Email: nurse@isa.nl  Phone: 020-347-1280

Head lice can be a problem in nurseries, day care facilities, and schools. To prevent the spread of lice to others, we ask that you please routinely inspect your child’s scalp and hair to determine if lice or lice eggs are present. Community involvement is very important and families must actively participate at home in the treatment and prevention of head lice.

School Practice

• If lice or nits are detected, it is strongly recommended that students be treated as soon as possible at home. 

• We will continue to notify the grade when one or more cases of lice are detected. 

• Students found to have head lice should be treated at home and examined by the school nurse upon return to school. 

Helpful Prevention Reminders

• Avoiding head to head contact during play and sports activities.

• Tying long hair back in tight braids, buns, or ponytails can reduce transmission.

• Don't share personal items such as hats, scarves, brushes and towels.

We remain committed to caring for our students with calm, compassion, and evidence-based practices. If you have any questions about lice management or treatment, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

For more information, please see our article on checking for and managing Head Lice.

Please notify the Nurse’s Office immediately if you find your child has head lice. Students may return to school after the first treatment. Students found to have head lice must be examined by the school nurse upon return to school.

Questions? Email: nurse@isa.nl / Phone: 020-347-1280

For the safety of all students, students are not allowed to carry medication on their person. Under certain circumstances, occasional exceptions may be made. Please contact the Nurse's Office to discuss.

If required, students may have access at all times to their medication, such as inhalers, from the Nurse’s Office. We have safe storage for individual student's personal medication. Additionally, the Nurse’s Office maintains a stock of  commonly used over-the-counter medication. Therefore, there is no need for students to keep medications in their pockets, backpacks, or lockers.

If there are food allergies in your child’s Lower School class, you will receive an information letter indicating which products are not permitted in the class. In the interest of safety, all students should avoid taking nut-based products on any school trips or to sporting events. Students will be notified if specific food products are not permitted on transport to and during school trips and team events.

Additionally, during celebrations, parties, and birthdays, we ask that all community members refrain from including any food products that contain nuts from goodie / gift bags, class treats, etc.

Due to severe latex allergies, latex balloons are not allowed on school campus. Please note that we strictly adhere to these policies to provide a safe environment for all students.

20 November 2025

As we settle into the school year, we would like to share a friendly update regarding current COVID-19 guidelines in the Netherlands. While COVID-19 is still around, it is no longer causing major societal disruptions, and national recommendations have changed. Our goal is to keep everyone informed.

COVID-19 Today

The coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19, now typically behaves much like other common respiratory viruses. Symptoms often start with what feels like an ordinary cold, and many people experience only mild illness, or no illness at all.

Due to the significant improvement in the situation, earlier measures, including mandatory testing and isolation, are no longer necessary.

What Are the Current COVID-19 Symptoms?

According to RIVM virologist Dirk Eggink, the symptoms of newer COVID-19 variants remain very similar to those of earlier variants. Common symptoms — such as sore throat, sneezing, coughing, and a stuffy nose — appear with roughly the same frequency as before. At this time, there is no indication that these symptoms are more severe than in previous waves.

School Attendance

For schools in the Netherlands, children with respiratory symptoms, such as a cough or runny nose, do not need to be kept at home solely because of those symptoms. This includes children with COVID-19.

As always, if your child is feeling genuinely ill, resting at home is the best choice. You can also review our newsletter for cold & flu season 

• Children with COVID-19 can still go to school or daycare, as long as they feel well enough.

• All ISA students and staff should continue to follow the School Health Policy 

• Adults can discuss their work situation with their employer if they test positive or feel unwell.

What To Do If You Have Symptoms

If you or your child develops symptoms of a respiratory infection, the general national advice is simple and the same as with colds and flus.

• Feeling ill? Stay home until you feel better.
  
  

• Mild symptoms but not ill? Can attend school.
  
  

• Cough or sneeze into your elbow and wash hands frequently to avoid spread.
  
  

• Give others some space, especially those who may be more vulnerable.

Covid Vaccinations

COVID-19 may circulate more at certain times of the year. For people at higher risk of becoming seriously ill, vaccination remains an important form of protection. 

For most children with a chronic illness or health condition, there are no additional COVID-19 vaccination recommendations. If a specific condition does require additional recommendations, the paediatrician will discuss that with the parents. Read more about COVID-19 vaccination here.

We hope this summary helps you feel informed and confident as we navigate seasonal illnesses together. As always, thank you for supporting a healthy and caring school environment.