IN THIS MESSAGE:

• September is Attendance Awareness Month.
• Health & Well-Being Guidance/Resources.

• BCS Bullying Prevention Community Kick-Off (Sept. 21, 2023)

Next to starting the day with a full night's sleep and a good breakfast, regular attendance to school or class is primary to student academic success. Students cannot learn if they are not present and prepared to learn.

Over the next few weeks, the BCS Attendance Office will be working to share information to help grow our school community's investment in attendance. Stay tuned as more information such as attendance calls, online absence notes, and testimonial videos will be shared as we move into September.

Being back in the classroom means many things, especially a closer proximity to more individuals than you may have experienced over the summer. This "closeness" can translate into a real test for your immune system. Be sure to get plenty of rest, stay well hydrated, and practice healthy hand hygiene to stay ahead of the common illness such as the cold, flu, strep, COVID-19, bronchitis, and other viruses that make their way into our homes, schools, and classrooms.

As we head into Fall, please take a minute and review the link provided below to the Student Well-Being & Health Resources section of our website for health information, forms, and more. I have included below the guidelines for returning to school following an illness, also located on our website, for your convenience.

When may students return to school after an Illness? The following guidelines are provided to help you determine if your student is ready to return to school after an illness.

• Fever free for the past 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications such as Tylenol. A fever is defined as a temperature ≥ 100.4º F.

• No vomiting or diarrhea within the past 24 hours.

• After at least 24 hours of antibiotic therapy for bacterial illnesses such as strep throat, pneumonia, etc.

• The child’s appetite and activity level have returned close to normal.

• Cold symptoms that are mild enough so as not to interfere with your child’s ability to participate in the activity of a normal school day or infect other students. Please remember that cold and cough medicines, including cough drops cannot be given to students by school staff without a doctor’s order.

• If your child was sent home with a rash, they may return when the rash is resolved or with a doctor’s note stating they are not contagious.

• If your child’s doctor has prescribed medication that will need to be given during the school day, please remember that an order from the doctor is necessary. Most area physicians have these forms. If not, we would be happy to fax one to their office.

• During your child’s visit to the doctor, please remember to obtain a note so that your child will be medically excused.

If you have any questions as to whether your child may return to school after an illness, please feel free to call the school nurse. She/he will be happy to assist you in deciding what is best for your child.

Reviewed and endorsed by Dr. Kevin McLaughlin D.O., Health Officer, Berkeley-Morgan County Board of Health.