Health and Safety Alerts

Illness Guidelines 

The school has seen an increase in illnesses among students, including symptoms such as fever, sore throat, cough, chills, body aches, gastrointestinal symptoms, and multiple cases of walking pneumonia (see below). Please adhere to the following guidelines: 

  • Stay Home When Sick: Please keep students home from school if they show signs of illness, including any of the symptoms above. 
  • Return To School After Illness: Individuals can return to school when, for 24 hours, both are true: 
  • Fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medications AND 
  • Symptoms are improving overall 
  • Fever: A temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 C) or higher is considered a fever. Individuals should stay home from school if they have a fever. Individuals should be fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medications before returning to school. 
  • Vomiting: Individuals should stay home for 24 hours after the last time they vomited. 
  • Practice Good Hygiene: Encourage regular handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow. 

Walking Pneumonia 

Multiple cases of “Walking Pneumonia,” also known as “Atypical Pneumonia” or “Mycoplasma Pneumonia,” have been reported to the school. Cases in the US are higher this year than in recent years.  

If your child has a cold that lasts longer than 7-10 days, especially with a cough that is getting worse or not going away, please consult your healthcare provider. Symptoms can come on suddenly or take longer to start. Cases are typically mild, but because bacteria cause the disease, antibiotics can help.  

Please read here for more information about walking pneumonia and symptoms associated with it. If your child is diagnosed with walking pneumonia, please inform the school by emailing Dora Hall, school nurse, at dhall@st-johnschool.org. 

Hearing and Vision Screening 

Each year, St. John School conducts vision and hearing screening exams for students in grades Kindergarten, 2, 4, and 6. This year, students will be screened on Tuesday, November 19, 2024. Volunteers are needed to help support the screening day – please sign up here!