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Student Health and Safety Reminders

Posted Date: 01/14/26 (02:45 PM)


Ottumwa Community School District

Student Health and Safety

Illness Reminders to Stay Home When You Are Sick

As influenza activity increases in our area, we want to share how the district is working to maintain safe and healthy school environments.

Our custodial teams are increasing their focus on disinfecting high-touch surfaces throughout our buildings. In addition, classrooms and shared spaces are fogged nightly as an extra preventative step.

Our school nurses, in collaboration with the district’s central office, are also closely monitoring student absences to watch for patterns and ensure we can respond appropriately if concerns arise.

We appreciate your continued partnership in keeping our schools healthy. Please be sure to review the health guidance recently shared through ParentSquare, which includes reminders such as keeping students home when they have a fever or are experiencing flu-like symptoms.

Thank you for your continued support and cooperation.
 
Prevent the spread of illness by using good hand-washing and hygiene practices. 

Help us by reinforcing these practices at home:
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
  • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow.
  • Avoid sharing drinks or other products that come in contact with the mouth, nose, or eyes.

There are times when children are too ill to come to school, both for their own safety and that of others around them. Please follow these general guidelines when deciding when your child should stay home:
  • A temperature of 100.4 degrees or more in the past 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medicine)
  • Vomiting or diarrhea in the past 24 hours
  • A bacterial infection (strep throat, impetigo, etc.) that has not been treated with antibiotics for 24 hours
  • Severe cough or cold
  • Unexplained rash or skin eruptions
  • A communicable disease (chicken pox, etc.) that has not received written authorization from your doctor for readmission to class
  • An ailment that would impair your child’s learning (severe stomach pain, ear infections, etc.)

Please review the student health and safety information on our website for more information.
Ottumwa: Be The Best!
 
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