October 24, 2022

Dear St. Monica Academy Families,

It is not unusual as we move into fall to see an uptick in stuffy noses, coughs, and colds. Today we have almost 10% of our students absent, most with either confirmed Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection (RSV) or Influenza. As you probably know RSV has made the news lately due to the large numbers of cases doctors and hospitals are seeing. The CDC is also predicting the likelihood of higher than normal numbers of influenza cases this winter. Lear more about RSV here.

I am encouraging all families to watch their child for symptoms of both RSV and Flu. If your child has a fever (temperature over 100.4), diarrhea, or is vomiting they must stay home until the symptoms are resolved for 24 hours without medication. If your child has a persistent cough, stuffy nose, glassy eyes, is lethargic or irritable please keep them home until their major symptoms resolve.

I understand how difficult it is to take a personal day or find a babysitter when your child is ill. Sending them to school when ill spreads the illness and puts others with underlying conditions at serious risk. For the sake of the most vulnerable in our community please give your child’s symptoms and situation serious consideration when making the decision to send them to school.

The classrooms, lunchroom and high-touch areas will be sanitized tonight, and we will continue to deep clean until this situation is resolved.

We have a lot of great activities happening for Red Ribbon Week, Halloween and more!. See details below.

Student Council Pretzel Sales

The Student Council is selling Halloween themed pretzels during lunch periods this week. Pretzels are 50 cents and will support Student Council Activities.

Red Ribbon Week

Tuesday: Bring a canned good/shelf stable item to donate to the St. Vincent DePaul food pantry and students can wear red! (Please remember our Catholic Identity when selecting your out of uniform clothes.)

Wednesday: Care for other by bringing in items for our Catholic Charities Community Care Bags. (see specifics below)

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