Principal's Newsletter
Some thoughts for the starting school year
V + J
“Do not wish to be anything but what you are, and try to be that perfectly.”
~ St. Francis de Sales
Good Afternoon IHM families,
I hope everyone had a wonderful long weekend filled with the final enjoyments of summer. The children returned yesterday happy and engaged in their new structure and routines. The early morning weather is even lending itself to help us usher in the Fall!
The above quote by St. Francis de Sales, the patron saint of the order of our Oblates Sisters, seems a wonderful reflection to begin a new school year. The children are always encouraged to be their best selves, but to BE themselves. Their unique personalities are what you cherish as parents and we love and enjoy as their teachers. Please take a moment to reflect on this wisdom by St. Francis de Sales and perhaps allow it to prompt a discussion with your children. The new school year is always a natural start to embracing new goals!
Next week we will host our Back to School nights for all families. The evening for PreK-3rd grade will be held on Tuesday, September 10th, and the sessions for Grades 4-8 will be held on Thursday, September 12. Both evenings will begin at 6:30pm in the gym with a short presentation by Administration, followed by classroom sessions to meet your children’s teachers. We look forward to seeing you and sharing important information for the school year.
I wish you all a wonderful week!
In faith and gratitude,
Ms. Surine
If your child is going to be absent due to illness or other, please email your child's homeroom teacher by 8:15am.
Absent with illness for 3 or more days? Please email Nurse Mary Bowen, RN at nurse@ihmschoolmd.org and provide a doctor's note.
Fevers
Fevers above 100.0 prior to school or while at school must remain home until fever-free for 24 hours, without fever-reducing medication.
Vomiting
Vomiting prior to school or while at school must remain home for 24 hours following the last episode of vomiting.
Diarrhea
Children that are experiencing diarrhea are to remain at home for 24 hours after the last episode of diarrhea.
IHM follows guidelines from MSDE and the Maryland Department of Health
Preventing Spread of Infections in K-12 Schools | CDC
Schools, parents, and caregivers often do not know what specific illness a child may have; rather, children present with symptoms. If someone has the following symptoms, they should stay home because their illness could affect their ability to participate in school and there is concern that they might spread an infection to staff and students.
- Fever, including a fever with a new rash.
- Vomiting more than twice in the preceding 24 hours.
- Diarrhea that causes ‘accidents’, is bloody, or results in greater than two bowel movements above what the child normally experiences in a 24-hour period.
- Skin sores that are draining fluid on an uncovered part of the body and are unable to be covered with a bandage.
- Respiratory virus symptoms that are worsening or not improving and not better explained by another cause such as seasonal allergies.
For the general symptoms described in the stay at home when sick section of this guidance, policies can allow return to the school setting when:
- The child has not had a fever (and is not using fever-reducing medicine) for at least 24 hours.
- Fever with a new rash has been evaluated by a healthcare provider and fever has resolved.
- Uncovered skin sores are crusting, and the child is under treatment from a provider.
- Vomiting has resolved overnight and the child can hold down food / liquids in the morning.
- Diarrhea has improved, the child is no longer having accidents or is having bowel movements no more than 2 above normal per 24-hour period for the child. Bloody diarrhea should be evaluated by a healthcare provider prior to return.
- Respiratory virus symptoms are getting better overall for at least 24 hours. Students and staff returning after a respiratory illness can consider additional actions to reduce spread.
Respiratory Viruses
Stay home and away from others (including people you live with who are not sick) if you have respiratory virus symptoms that aren't better explained by another cause. These symptoms can include fever, chills, fatigue, cough, runny nose, and headache, among others.*
- You can go back to your normal activities when, for at least 24 hours, both are true:
- Your symptoms are getting better overall, and
- You have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication).
- When you go back to your normal activities, take added precaution over the next 5 days, such as taking additional steps for cleaner air, hygiene, masks, physical distancing, and/or testing when you will be around other people indoors.
- Keep in mind that you may still be able to spread the virus that made you sick, even if you are feeling better. You are likely to be less contagious at this time, depending on factors like how long you were sick or how sick you were.
If you develop a fever or you start to feel worse after you have gone back to normal activities, stay home and away from others again until, for at least 24 hours, both are true: your symptoms are improving overall, and you have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication). Then take added precaution for the next 5 days.
The Eagle Echo
We hope you enjoyed the new format of the Weekly Wednesday Email... now known as the Eagle Echo!
Each edition will be available on the school website.
The Eagle Echo may be translated into your preferred language.
If you need someone added to this email list, please email Ms. Debbie Sperato at dsperato@ihmschoolmd.org.
Have a blessed week!