There are many illnesses going around currently: influenza, RSV, COVID, strep throat, and more! There have also been cases of measles in Minneapolis as well.

Please, if your student has a fever, persistent cough, rash, or other symptoms of illness, keep your student home until they get better:

• No fever for at least 24 hours without having to take medicine

• No vomiting or diarrhea for at least 24 hours

• No longer has a persistent cough

Report the absence to school by calling 612-668-1027 and leaving a message with the student's name and why they are absent.

If your child has a fever + rash or is positive for COVID, talk to Nurse Kathleen before sending your student back to school: Kathleen.McCleneghan@mpls.k12.mn.us or 612-668-1045.

Medical care is recommended in the case of:

• Breathing difficulties/chest wheezing

• Fever with a sore throat (may be a throat infection)

• Persistent ear pain

• Fever with rash – call your clinic first for recommendations

**Very important: Please check to make sure your child has had 2 doses of the MMR vaccine to protect them from measles.

Thank you so much for helping keep our school community healthy!

What to do if you are exposed to someone with a known COVID infection:

• Wear a high-quality mask for a full 10 days and take a COVID test on day 6. If you become sick at any time within the 10 days after your exposure, stay home from school and take a COVID test. For more detailed information, click on this link: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/if-you-were-exposed.html

What if your student tests positive for COVID:

• Stay home from school for at least 5 days (or up to 10 days) and wear a high-quality mask for a full 10 days. Click on this link to learn how to correctly calculate this timeline: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/isolation.html