A Message from Our School Nurse
As you know, the 2020-21 school year will be different than previous school years and we will be redefining what a “normal” school day looks like. Returning to school in the fall of 2020 poses many new challenges for Ankeny students, staff, and families.
We realize families may need to make difficult decisions this year between sending students to school vs. keeping them home/parent missing work. In order to keep our students and staff as healthy as possible we ask that you consider these things before sending your child to school.
- If your child complains of any 1 of the following symptoms, please keep them home and contact your health care provider: new cough, shortness of breath, fever of 100.4 or higher, new loss of taste or smell.
- If your child complains of 2 or more of the following symptoms, please keep them home from school: fever, headache, muscle/body aches, fatigue, sore throat, runny nose, congestion, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea. Due to the wide range of signs and symptoms of Covid-19, and for the safety of all, students will need to be sent home if they display these symptoms.
- If your child exhibits these symptoms at school, your child will be taken to the isolation room. Isolation rooms have been established to take students and/or staff when Covid-19 related symptoms are exhibited to ensure safety from other students who would use the nurses office for non-Covid related concerns.
- If you are notified by a health office staff that your student is ill at school, please plan to pick your student as soon as possible. We would ask that you also have a back-up plan so that ill students can be picked up as quickly as possible if you are not available.
- We ask that you contact your Primary Health Care provider for more guidance on how to proceed with your student’s health needs prior to returning if your student is sent home. We will provide instructions for proper home isolation and quarantine if warranted.
As said many times, this is a fluid and flexible situation that can change at any point. We will continue to work closely with the Polk County Health Department.
If you have a student with known health concerns and have questions, please contact your building’s health office staff to discuss.
Stay safe and be well!
Anne Larson RN, BSN