Saline Area Schools follow the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) guidance to manage communicable disease in the school setting.  As a school community, we attempt to minimize the spread of communicable disease by encouraging frequent hand washing and through the regular cleaning of community surfaces. Families and school staff can also help by keeping students home or sending students home if they exhibit symptoms as outlined by the Washtenaw County Public Health Department.

Managing and preventing the spread of communicable disease in the school setting is a partnership between school and families.  Please refer to the following resources for more information regarding communicable disease in the school setting:

• Fact Sheet, When Should a Child be Kept Home or Sent Home for Illness? (Washtenaw County Health Department)
• When to Keep Your Child Home (American Academy of Pediatrics)
• Communicable Disease Fact Sheets (Washtenaw County Health Department)
• Managing Communicable Diseases in Schools (MDE & MDHHS)
• District Health Webpage

Families are required to report illness to the school office when a child is absent. Please report symptoms, especially respiratory concerns, fever, and vomiting as well as any confirmed diagnosis (strep throat, pink eye, impetigo, etc.) to the office. This helps us know when to notify other families about illness and also aids us in tracking illness trends at school and in the greater community. For additional information regarding managing communicable disease in the school setting or for other questions, please contact Harvest nurse, Wendy Portwood (portwoow@salineschools.org).