Here is what I sent last week.
I thought this weekend would be a good time to let everyone know what we do daily, and will continue to do to ensure that all the children and staff stay as healthy as possible. I'm sure you all know that this has been a bad flu season, and unfortunately people are still being diagnosed with the flu. Then there has been the stomach bug and what I call the "Pelham cough" Now of course we are all aware of the spread of the Corona virus.
Every day we request that all children wash their hands before entering their class room. Most families do make sure that this happens, but now would be a good time to remind your child's caregiver to regularly have the children do this as well. In the class we have all been mindful of frequent hand such as after using the bathroom, before eating snack and after sneezing into your hands. and when we come inside from the playground. To clean the tables and toys we use a bleach solution that is hospital grade and is able to kill most of the germs that might be on surfaces. We all practice coughing and sneezing into our "shield" (this is putting your arm up and sneezing or coughing into your elbow.) We have been lucky this year with our illness rate much lower than the elementary schools in Pelham. When children appear sick in school they are brought to my office where we take their temperature and if they have a fever we contact their parents and ask them to come pick up their child. If they are coughing a lot or have a very runny nose or just are not acting like themselves we also will call the parents and request they come pick up their child.
Most importantly, children who do not feel well should not be sent to school. If your child has a fever, they should stay home until they are fever free for 24 hours without medication.
Hopefully the flu season will end soon and the Corona virus will not have an active outbreak in Westchester or NYC where many of our families work.
I get frequent emails from the Westchester Health Department, and will update you all if there are any warnings or suggestions that pertain to our families
Stay well,
Barbara
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Barabara Klein
Director
Huguenot Nursery School
Pelham NY
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Original Message:
Sent: 03-01-2020 04:09 PM
From: Paula Hance
Subject: COVID -19
Hi! I am curious if anyone has shared a new policy or statement on what their center is doing in the face of this new virus? If so, will you share?
I know if it's just a virus, but the unknown is scary. I know all usual precautions of hygiene should be taken. Just curious what is being stated to your families.
Thanks!
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Paula Hance
director
Zion Early Childhood Center
Hopkins MN
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