• covid info

  • COVID, Flu, and RSV

     

    Respiratory infections commonly occur during the fall and winter months as individuals spend more time indoors and are in closer contact with each other.  This is commonly referred to as the “flu season.” This year there is a concern with continued COVID-19 infections, active flu cases, and respiratory syncytial virus, commonly known as RSV. This has brought increased health concerns for children. National and local medical offices, immediate care centers, and emergency departments are seeing a significant increase in children with these illnesses-related visits by as much as 150 percent. Nationally, IDPH reports only 6 percent of pediatric ICU beds are available in the Chicagoland area. 

     

    According to the CDC, the flu and COVID-19 share very similar symptoms, and it might be hard to tell which of the two you have. It can take longer for people infected with COVID-19 to show symptoms, and people stay infectious longer than with the flu. COVID and flu viruses spread mainly through droplets from one person to another by sneezing, coughing, or talking.  

    A symptom that seems to be unique to COVID-19 is loss of taste or smell. However, both viruses can cause:

    • Fever

    • Chills

    • Headache

    • Cough

    • Muscle soreness

    • Fatigue

    • Vomiting

    • Diarrhea

    • Shortness of breath

    • Runny nose

    • Sore throat

    RSV can infect anyone but is most dangerous in infants and the elderly. Its symptoms are similar to those of the common cold but has significantly increased young children with hospitalizations.

    RSV symptoms include:

    • Runny nose

    • Decreased appetite

    • Coughing

    • Sneezing

    • Fever

    • Wheezing

     

     

    How can I tell if my child has  COVID-19, the flu, or RSV?

    Symptoms are similar. The only way to accurately determine whether you have COVID-19, the flu, or RSV is to get tested. The COVID-19, Flu, and RSV combined test is an option if you would like to determine what type of infection your child has. It is available through your doctor’s office, hospital, and other authorized healthcare providers. We recommend reaching out to your doctor or a healthcare provider for more information about this option.  Diagnostic testing is not required by U-46.

     

    What should I do if my child is sick with COVID, Flu, or cold-like symptoms?

    If your child is sick and has any signs or symptoms of COVID, the flu, or RSV, please keep them home and notify your child’s school attendance secretary of the absence and symptoms. Consult your child’s doctor or pediatrician for recommendations. If your child is experiencing any difficulty breathing, shallow or rapid breathing, bluish skin or fingernails, seek immediate medical attention or call 911. 

     

    What do I need to do to get my child cleared to return to school?

    Current COVID-19 guidelines and infection-control procedures require us to exclude students exhibiting one or more symptoms of COVID-19 until the student either:

     

     1) tests negative for COVID-19 and has improved symptoms (including being fever, vomit, and diarrhea free without the use of medication for 24 hours prior to returning to school) or

     2) the student has completed a 5-day exclusion and has improved symptoms (including being fever, vomit, and diarrhea free without the use of medication for 24 hours prior to returning to school)

    •  The return to school at day 6 requires the student to be able to consistently and correctly wear a mask at school until day 11

    •  Your building nurse will be able to discuss with you all of your return options and timelines depending on the specifics of your and your child’s unique circumstances

     

    • Students who test positive for COVID-19 can return to school on day 6 (with the ability to mask until day 11) assuming that their symptoms have improved and the student has been fever, vomit, and diarrhea free for at least 24 hours without the use of medication.

     

    If your student tests positive for the flu or RSV, it is still highly recommended that your student also be tested for COVID-19. It is possible that more than one virus could be present at the same time. Students who test positive for flu or RSV and negative for COVID-19 may return to school once they have been fever, vomit, and diarrhea free for 24 hours without the use of medication, and their other symptoms have improved. 

     

     

    What is U-46 doing to prevent the spread of flu, COVID, and RSV?

     

    • U-46 monitors student absences daily with a focus on illness and the number of absences related to flu-like symptoms.  

    • Nurses will be following up on students who are called in sick. 

    • Classroom cleaning for all classrooms is completed daily. If illness rates are 10 percent or higher, then specialized cleaning is completed. 

    • CDC, IDPH, and ISBE guidelines continued to be followed.

    • All outbreaks are reported to IDPH for investigation. 

    How can students and families prevent the spread of respiratory viruses?

    • Teach children to cover their mouth and nose with a tissue when they cough or sneeze

    • Throw used tissues in the trash

    • If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow, not your hand

    • Frequent hand washing

    • Keep students home when sick

     

     

    The health and well-being of our students is a top priority.  U-46 appreciates our families and all efforts to keep our students healthy and safe at school and ready to learn

Physical and Immunization Requirements for the 2022-23 School Year

  • health forms Per School Board Policy 7.100, all students will be compliant with State law-required health examinations and immunizations on the first day of school. Students who are non-compliant in their physical and immunization requirements will not be allowed to attend school until state compliance is met. Required grades include Preschool/Early Childhood, Kindergarten, 6th, 9th, and 12th grade. 

    (Note: Vision exams for Kindergarten are required by Oct. 15, 2022. Dental exams for Kindergarten, 2nd, 6th and 9th grade are due by May 15, 2023.)

    Health requirements and forms can be located here under Health Services.

    Any updates from the Illinois State Board of Education will be communicated to all parents.

    How to submit forms 

    Once you have the necessary forms completed by your physician, proof of completed student physical and immunizations, can be submitted any one of these ways:

    • Send via email a PDF scanned document to healthservices@u-46.org. The original documents must be scanned, saved and sent as a PDF. There are free scanning apps available for mobile phones, such as Microsoft Office Lens, or if you have an iPhone, here are directions on scanning using your “notes” app. (Note: Pictures/photos of the documents cannot be accepted.) 
    • Fax the original documents to 847-888-5320 where our summer team will process the forms. 
    • Drop off the documents at the U-46 Educational Services Center, 355 E. Chicago Street in Elgin on Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. 
    • Drop off the documents at your child's school; all schools have secretaries working as of Aug. 2. 
    • Upload the required health documents as a PDF through Infinite Campus during the registration process.

    Our Health Services team is processing health forms as they are submitted this summer. But if you believe you have already submitted forms, or if your child is in the process of receiving the necessary immunizations, please contact our Health Services team with questions or concerns. They can be reached at 847-888-5000 ext. 5334, via email at healthservices@u-46.org, or by using Let’s Talk.  

COVID-19 Vaccines