Cold and flu season is in full swing, impacting many in our community. We are aware that some schools in the region and across the country have temporarily closed due to high illness rates among students and staff. At Snyder ISD, we continue to closely monitor attendance and illnesses while taking precautions to help reduce the spread.
At this time, we do not have plans to close schools due to illness. Last week, our lowest district-wide attendance rate was recorded on Wednesday at 84%, followed by 86% on Thursday and 85% on Friday. This week, we saw continued improvement, with attendance rates ranging between 89% and 90% of students attending school.
During this season, our custodial and campus staff take additional measures to keep classrooms clean and sanitized. We emphasize frequent handwashing and other hygiene practices to help limit the spread of illness. Our school nurses are also working diligently to care for students who come to school feeling unwell or who develop symptoms during the day. If your child is sick, please keep them home so they can rest, recover, and limit the spread of illnesses to others.
When to keep your child home:
Please keep your child home and/or contact your child’s medical provider if they experience any of the following:
Elevated temperature: 100°F or greater (taken by mouth).
Persistent cough: Continuous coughing that may prevent concentration or disrupt the class.
Repeated vomiting and/or diarrhea: Within the last 24 hours.
Severe sore throat: Especially if accompanied by fever or lasting more than 48 hours, or after known exposure to strep throat.
Excessive mucus: Particularly with facial pain or headache.
Eye issues: Red, inflamed, or discharging eyes (possible conjunctivitis/"pink eye").
Skin conditions: Suspected scabies, impetigo, acute skin rashes, or other infectious conditions.
Severe ear pain or fluid drainage from the ear.
Severe headache: Especially when accompanied by fever.
Lethargic behavior: Unusually tired or unresponsive.
Returning to School After Illness:
To help protect the health of others, please follow these guidelines when your child returns to school:
Fever: Your child must be fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication.
Vomiting and/or diarrhea: Your child must be free of these symptoms for 24 hours without the use of medication.
Blistery sores or unknown skin rash: Medical clearance is required before your child returns.
Strep throat, pink eye, ringworm, scabies, or impetigo: Your child must complete 24 hours of antibiotic treatment, be fever-free for 24 hours without medication, and show improving symptoms.
Thank you for your cooperation and support in keeping our students, staff, and community healthy. If you are sick, we hope you are able to take this weekend to rest and recover. Together, we can continue to provide a safe learning environment for all.