Illness Protocol

We would like to take this opportunity to remind families of some important steps that can be taken to limit the spread of illness within our schools. As always, our staff will work with the students to limit the spread of germs within the school by encouraging the following:

• Frequent and diligent hand washing

• Avoiding touching of eyes, nose, and mouth

• Covering coughs and sneezes with the inside of the elbow

• Avoiding close contact with people who are sick

Students exhibiting any signs of illness will be referred to the health office for evaluation. 

We additionally ask families to help us limit the spread of illness by adhering to the following guidelines:

Children with one (or more) of the following symptoms are highly encouraged to stay home until  symptom-free for 24 hours:

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

Students with fevers (100 degrees or higher) cannot return to school until they have been fever free for 24 hours without the use of medication to reduce fever.

• If prescribed antibiotics, children who are fever free for 24 hours without the use of medication and symptoms have improved, may return to school .  

• Students who are diagnosed with strep throat, who are fever free for 24 hours without the use of medication,  may return 24  hours after appropriate antimicrobial therapy.

• Children diagnosed with skin infections may return 24 hours after appropriate antimicrobial therapy, as long as they have been fever free for 24 hours without the use of medication.

• NOTE:  Children diagnosed with skin infections may return in less than 24 hours after antibiotics started but must be able to keep the lesions covered and be fever free for 24 hours without the use of medication..

As a precaution, please consider keeping your child home for:

• Excessive stuffy nose or nasal drainage

• Excessive or persistent cough

• Lethargy or general malaise

• Low-grade fever

• Nausea

We will no longer require students and staff to isolate for five days if they test positive for COVID.

At this time, the following is the current COVID guidance for students of Longmeadow Public Schools.  

• Your student should stay home and away from others until at least 24 hours after both:

1.  Symptoms are getting better overall

2. Has not had a fever for 24 hours without the use of Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen

• Over the next 5 days, it is recommended to use prevention measures, such as mask wearing

If you have questions or concerns, please reach out to your school nurse. 

Thank you for partnering with us to create the healthiest possible environment for our students. Please reach out to your School Nurse with any questions or concerns.          

Reviewed and Revised 8/5/24 with Longmeadow Public Schools physician