Illness Guidelines and FAQ

We strive to keep our community as healthy as possible to facilitate the best learning and work environment. We encourage you to utilize our Illness Guidelines when your child(ren) are sick to help you decided whether your child(ren) should attend school or not. Thank you for helping keep our community as healthy as possible.

Please utilize the parent portal to notify the front office if your child is going to be absent due to illness.

Lo alentamos a utilizar nuestras Pauntas de enfermedad cuando su(s) hijo(s) esté(n) enfermo(s) para ayudarlo a decidir si su(s) hijo(s) debe(n) asistir a la escuela o no.

Frequently Asked Questions

Covid:

Q. Someone in my household has tested positive for covid, can my child(ren) come to school?

A: Yes. As long as students are asymptomatic they are welcome to be at school wear a well-fitting mask for 10 days from the start of the positive person’s symptoms. If students develop symptoms then they should stay home and test for covid.

Q: My child has been quarantined at home due to having covid. Do they need to have a negative covid test prior to returning to school?

A: No, your child does not need a negative covid test to return to school. They need to isolate at home for 5 days from when their symptoms started and if on day 6 their symptoms are improving and they are feeling well enough to participate in class, they may return wearing a well-fitting mask for another 5 days. If on day 6 they are not improved and are not feeling well enough to be in class, then your child should stay home until they are better.

Q: Are covid vaccines required at Thomas MacLaren School?

A: Covid vaccines are not required for students or staff at Thomas MacLaren School. We do encourage our community to do what they feel is best to protect their families.

Q: Are masks required at Thomas MacLaren School?

A: We do not require masks at this time. We are a mask-friendly school and allow those who feel more comfortable in a mask to wear one. We also encourage those who are experiencing symptoms of illness (of any kind) to wear a mask to protect others.

Monkeypox:

Q. What risk is my child(ren) at for contracting monkeypox?

A. At this time, the risk of monkeypox to children and adolescents in the United States is low. Monkeypox virus can infect anyone – including children – if they have close, personal, often skin-to-skin contact with someone who has monkeypox. In this outbreak, most cases of monkeypox have been associated with sexual contact. Although less common in the current outbreak, monkeypox may also spread by touching contaminated objects (such as toys or eating utensils), fabrics (clothing, bedding, sleeping mats, or towels), and surfaces that have been used by someone with monkeypox.

Q. Should I get my child(ren) vaccinated for monkeypox?

A. At this time, CDC recommends vaccination for people who have been exposed to monkeypox and people who may be more likely to get monkeypox, including:

  • People who have been identified by public health officials as a contact of someone with monkeypox
  • People who know one of their sexual partners in the past 2 weeks has been diagnosed with monkeypox
  • People who had multiple sexual partners in the past 2 weeks in an area with known monkeypox

At this time, there is no need for widespread vaccination for monkeypox among children or staff at K-12 schools or early childhood settings.

Q. What should I do if my child(ren) is exposed to monkeypox?

A. Children and adolescents who are exposed to monkeypox should be monitored for symptoms for 21 days.

  • Some symptoms in young children may be difficult to recognize promptly. The department of health will provide guidance for people exposed to monkeypox on how to monitor for symptoms. Unless a rash develops after exposure, there is not currently a test for monkeypox. When monitoring a child for illness following exposure to monkeypox, parents and caregivers should check the child’s temperature daily. Parents and caregivers should also perform daily full-body skin checks for a new rash and inspect the inside of the mouth for any sores or ulcers on young children.
  • In older children and adolescents, parents can help with inspection of the mouth and exposed skin areas that may be difficult for the child or adolescent to see (back of neck, arms, legs). They can also remind the child and adolescent to be aware of any rash or pain in areas covered by clothing, including the genitals, and to inspect those areas for rash and let the parent know if they notice any changes in their skin or feel any pain in those areas.

If a child or adolescent develops symptoms while at home, the parent or caregiver should contact the local health department and their healthcare provider. The child should not return to the educational setting until medically assessed.

Website by SchoolMessenger Presence. © 2024 SchoolMessenger Corporation. All rights reserved.