School District Warns to Keep Sick Children Home

The Las Virgenes Unified School District sent robo-calls to families Tuesday evening asking parents to keep their sick children home in light of the current flu epidemic.

A transcript of the call is as follows:

This is Alice Garcia, district nurse for Las Virgenes. I want to remind you we are seeing an increasing number of students attending school with upper respiratory flu symptoms and gastrointestinal illnesses. We are asking for your assistance to prevent the spread of any contagious diseases.

As we approach peak flu season, the news media is reporting a surge in flu cases across the country. It is not too late to receive the flu vaccine. This is the best and most effective way to prevent the spread of the flu.

Please keep your child home when they are sick. We do not want students coming to school just to take a test or turn in homework while they are ill. Once a student with a contagious disease comes to school, they expose everyone with whom they come into contact. This only increases the number of students, faculty and staff getting the flu.

If you child has had vomiting, diarrhea, productive cough, headache and body aches, sore throat or a fever of 100 degrees or greater, they should not attend school for at least 24 hours after recovery. Fever reducing medications should not have been administered in the past 24 hours for your child to return to school. Additionally, students should feel well enough to participate in classroom activities. School officials may exclude any child they believe has a communicable disease pending medical evaluation (CAC Title 17, 2596) and may call you to pick up your child.

We have requested faculty be flexible in allowing students to make-up tests and assignments when the student has been out ill. Finally, if you are uncertain whether your child should attend school, then keep them home just to be safe. Thank you and have a good evening.