DMS Principal Notes

I wanted to share some information with you about flu on our campus.  We are seeing some increases in student absentee rates due to flu-like symptoms.  The most common symptoms are fever, cough and runny nose, and can include body aches, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.  It is very important to keep your child home if he/she has these symptoms until he/she is fever-free for at least 24 hours without fever reducing medication.  This measure is critical in helping control the spread of flu.  It is also helpful if you let the school know your child is out with flu-like symptoms when calling in to report the absence.  It is important to take precautions such as covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue, avoiding touching eyes, mouth or nose, and most importantly washing hands often.  These precautions are important anywhere out in public.  We also encourage everyone to receive the seasonal and H1N1 vaccines when available.  Our campus custodians and our bus drivers are diligently working to keep the classrooms, cafeterias, rest rooms and buses disinfected.  If you have any concerns or questions, please contact me (gartzkeh@hayscisd.net) or our school nurse Jan Del Castillo (delcastilloj@hayscisd.net).