There are many respiratory and gastrointestinal illnesses that are easily transmitted in a school environment. Staying home when sick can significantly reduce outbreaks and decrease disruptions to learning that occur when large numbers of students and staff at a school become ill. Practising proper handwashing, using hand sanitizer when washing is not possible, avoiding sharing of food and beverages, and coughing and sneezing into your elbow or away from others, can also help reduce the spread of illness in our schools.
How do you know when your child is too sick to go to school? Check out our Too Sick for School Infographic for things to consider when you are deciding whether or not to send your child to school when they are sick.
Information about common minor illness and injury in children can be found on the Alberta Health Services HEAL website, including information about the causes, symptoms and home management options for minor illnesses and when to seek medical care. The content comes from experts at Alberta’s Children’s Hospital and Stollery Children’s Hospital.
Our schools are cleaned on a daily basis. When large numbers of students are absent due to illness, we work closely with Alberta Health Services to identify additional cleaning procedures that may need to occur. Information is also sent to parents informing them of any special steps they may need to take at home to help prevent the spread of illness.