For more information on how o prevent the cold or flu this season please refer to the following links:

Preventing Colds and Flu for Individuals and Families

Preventing Colds and Flu for grades K - 3

Preventing Colds and Flu for grades  4 -6

Preventing Colds and Flu for Junior High Students

All students entering public or private school in Alabama are required to present an up to date Alabama Certificate of Immunization (IMM – 50 or Blue form), an Alabama Certificate of Religious Exemption, or an Alabama Certificate of Medical Exemption before attending school at any grade level. The Alabama Certificate of Immunization (Blue form) must contain all the dates of all vaccines given.

All students are required to have had 2 vaccines for measles, mumps and rubella (MMR). If your child is in grades Pre-K through 7th grade they must show proof they have had varicella vaccine, history of disease or lab test for immunity.

http://www.adph.org/immunization

All children get sick sometime or another during their school years. As a parent we want our children not to miss any more school than necessary so “How sick is TOO SICK for school”? Below are the guidelines that we suggest is the time to keep your child home.

Over the past few months, the swine flu (H1N1 virus) has created much concern throughout our community and our nation.  The administration and faculty members of the Opelika City Schools are asking our students and families to take the following precautions to help reduce chances of having the H1N1 virus reach our schools.  These precautions and procedures have been recommended by the Centers for Disease Control.  More information regarding the H1N1 virus can be found on the CDC website http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/general_info.htm.

Most importantly, if you suspect that your child or a member of your family has the H1N1 virus, seek medical attention immediately and then contact the school principal so that appropriate measures can be taken to decrease the chances of spreading the virus.

Interim Recommendations: K-12 Schools

• Parents and guardians should monitor their school-aged children, and faculty and staff should self-monitor every morning for symptoms of influenza-like illness.
• Students, faculty or staff with influenza-like illness (fever with a cough or sore throat) should stay home and not attend school or go into the community until at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever or signs of a fever without the use of fever-reducing medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
• School dismissal is not advised for a suspected or confirmed case of novel influenza A (H1N1) and, in general, is not advised unless there is a magnitude of faculty or student absenteeism that interferes with the school’s ability to function.
• Ill students should not attend alternative child care or congregate in other neighborhood and community settings outside of school.

Students, faculty and staff should stringently follow sanitary measures to reduce the spread of influenza, including covering their nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing (or coughing or sneezing into their sleeve if a tissue isn’t available), frequently washing hands with soap and water, or using hand sanitizer if hand washing with soap and water is not possible.