Health Information

How Sick is Too Sick?

There are four main reasons to keep children and adults at home:

1. The child or staff is at risk of infecting others with COVID-19 or another
   contagious illness, either because of symptoms or recent close contact.
2. The child or staff member does not feel well enough to take part in usual
   activities. For example, a child is overly tired, fussy or will not stop crying.
3. A child needs more care than teachers and staff can give while still caring for the other
   children.
4. The child or staff member has symptoms or an illness is on this list, and staying home is
   required

Click on CDE’s (Colorado Department of Education)’s How Sick is Too Sick? for guidance on vomiting, flu, diarrhea, fever, chicken pox, etc.

If you have any questions, contact our School Nurse, Shaunta’ Aguilar at shaunta_aguilar@dpsk12.net. 

Immunization

• Per law, your child needs to be updated with the required immunizations for school attendance or have an exemption in place by the start of the school year.
• If we have not received your immunization record, you will receive a notification from our School Nurse.

COVID

In March 2024, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its respiratory virus guidance for people with COVID-19. The guidance aligns with guidance for other respiratory viruses, including flu and RSV.

• Symptomatic children and staff should remain out of school or child care for at least 24 hours, until both are true:
  • You are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications. 
  • Your symptoms have been improving for 24 hours.

• *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 until both of the above are again true, then take added precautions for the next five days.

• Additional precautions are recommended following the return of anyone recovering from respiratory symptoms, including hand and respiratory hygiene, improved ventilation, masking, physical distancing and testing.

If you have any questions, contact our School Nurse, Shaunta’ Aguilar at shaunta_aguilar@dpsk12.net. 

Lice

What Are Head Lice?

Head lice are tiny insects that live on the scalp and feed on blood. They can be an annoyance, but they do not carry or transmit diseases. Lice infestations are not a sign of poor hygiene; anyone can get them.

How to Identify Head Lice:

Adult lice are about the size of a sesame seed and are grayish-white to tan.

Nits (lice eggs) are tiny, oval, and usually yellow to white in color. They are often found close to the scalp, attached to the hair shaft.

What We Are Doing:

Confidentiality: We respect the privacy and confidentiality of all our students. The affected student’s identity will be kept confidential.

Alerting Parents: Parents of the respective grade level are notified. 

Classroom Cleaning: Facilities has been notified to increase cleaning in the respective classrooms. 

Informational Materials: Attached, find materials from our school nurse for parents about head lice identification, treatment, and prevention.
Head Lice 101 for Parents – English
Head Lice 101 for Parents – Espanol
Head Lice_ What Parents Need to Know – HealthyChildren.org
Pediculosis (piojos en la cabeza)_ lo que los padres deben saber – HealthyChildren.org

What You Can Do:

Check Your Child’s Hair: We encourage all parents to check their child’s hair for lice and nits regularly. If you discover lice or nits, please notify the school and keep your child home until they have been treated.

Treatment: If your child has head lice, follow the treatment recommendations provided by your healthcare provider and thoroughly clean your child’s personal items (bedding, brushes, hats, etc.).

Prevention: Teach your child to avoid head-to-head contact and sharing personal items like hats, brushes, and combs.

If you have any questions, contact our School Nurse, Shaunta’ Aguilar at shaunta_aguilar@dpsk12.net. 

Medical Forms

Medical forms (student medication administration, asthma, anaphylaxis, self-carry, seizure, vaccine exemption) are accessible on our Handbook and Forms webpage.