Dear Families,

Happy Friday! As a reminder, there is no school on Monday, October 9. We’re ready for some nice fall weather! Next week the temperature will drop – please be sure to send your child with a sweater/jacket, and put their name on the tag inside. Many, many jackets become lost because there is no name inside after being forgotten at recess and around the building. 

Health and safety: We have multiple reported cases of lice. Classes directly affected have already been notified from a separate Bloomz message, but I encourage you to check your child regularly at home. Please check your child for lice this weekend. If you find live bugs or nits, your child must be treated. The Department of Education has a no-lice policy and students cannot attend school until they are lice-free. Please reach out to me if you have any questions. Here is a flyer from the CDC on how to examine for head lice in English and Spanish.

The PTA generously pays for all-school lice checks a few times per year, the first of which will be on October 11, but we need your help in checking your child(ren) regularly. 

We have also had multiple cases across grades of Hand, Foot, and Mouth disease. Often a fever and general unwellness is a first symptom, there can also be a skin rash and mouth sores. Please have your child examined by a medical professional if they show any symptoms.

Please inform your child’s teacher if they get a positive diagnosis so proper classroom cleaning protocols can be arranged. Your doctor will tell you when your child can return to school, but typically it is when they are feeling better, fever-free without the use of medicine for at least 24 hours, and their sores have healed. 

If you have received a notice that your child needs an updated immunization form, please have your child’s doctor complete it and return it to Joyce Borden in the main office. The NYC Department of Education and Department of Health strongly encourage families to vaccinate their children for the flu and COVID-19. Both fall vaccines for flu and COVID-19 are available for children. Please also remember to keep your child home when they are showing signs of illness. Medical absences can be excused. 

I realize this is a lot to process, and I thank you for your help in keeping all of our students and staff healthy and safe!

Dismissal will continue to be between 2:45 and 2:50pm for students in grades 1 through 5, and between 2:40-2:45pm for 3K, PreK, and Kindergarten. 

Enjoy the long weekend!

Warmly,
Maria