2023-2024 Illness Plan

Dear Smart Start ELC Families, 

As we embark on a new school year, our hope is that illness will not impact how we are able to operate.  However, recent years have demonstrated the importance of having a plan in case things change.  If you have questions or concerns regarding our current operating plan, please contact Longview Office Staff.  Thank you for your role in helping us keep our students, families, and staff as safe as possible.  We value your partnership with this effort.

➢If a student is experiencing/has experienced in the past 24 hours a fever of 100°F or higher, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, vomiting, and/or diarrhea, please do not bring your child to school, as the student mustbe excluded from school for any of these conditions.

➢The daily health screening outlined below will be used for all students.  A temperature may be taken if he/she shows any signs of illness.  The drop-off person verifies that the student’s attendance is proof of a “no” answer to all the following questions.

•Has your student had any of the following symptoms in the past 24 hours?

oA cough (new, changed, or worsening); is frequent, deep, hacking, painful for child, and/or producing thick/colored sputum

oRunny nose that is dark yellow, green, and/or brown

oCongestion/runnynose –not related to seasonal allergies (a doctor’s note is required to verify a student’s allergy diagnosis and will be kept on file by Smart Start)

oA sore throat 

oExcessively hot or cold

oNew loss of taste or smell 

oMuscle or body aches 

oNausea

oUnusual fatigue 

oHas your student had any medication to treat an above symptom(s)before coming to school?

•The student maybe excluded from school (either at drop-off or later in the class session) if the answer to any of the above questions is “yes.” If the student remains at school after drop-off, Smart Start staff will monitor the student for signs of illness and will call parent/authorized adult during class if necessary.

➢If handwashing is not feasible, children will use hand sanitizer.

➢Smart Start ELC may be required to close a classroom and/or school-wide in the event of a confirmed on site outbreak of illness.

➢During a potential closure of 14 or fewer days, Smart Start will continue to provide instruction via Seesaw for all programs, and families will continue to be financially responsible for the tuition due during that period.  

➢Face coverings are optional for Smart Start staff and for students, per parent instruction.  However, Smart Start ELC reserves the right to have staff and/or students wear a face covering—for their safety and/or others’—if substantial contagious infection is suspected in the classroom.

➢Smart Start ELC will maintain an operating plan that abides by state and/or local restrictions/mandates. Smart Start ELC reserves the right to change this operating plan and how school is conducted at any point. Families will be notified if changes are necessary.

➢Smart Start ELC will continue to do its best to maintain health and safety standards while providing a much-needed service to children and their families.