A Parent's Guide to Communicable Diseases

A Parent's Guide to Communicable Diseases
Crystal Ngo

GHC is sensitive to the possibility of the transmission of communicable diseases like the flu and MRSA. Therefore, the school has developed a proactive, precautionary plan to address these concerns, which includes, but is not limited to the following:

  1. Deployment of a full time custodial person to sanitize all restrooms and PE facilities every night. This person "deep cleans" the restrooms and PE facilities every week.
  2. Scheduled restroom cleaning three times a school day instead of twice a day
  3. Trained all staff and coaches on ways to prevent communicable diseases
  4. Implemented a NO-SHARING RULE (athletes should not share equipment, clothing, towels, and other personal items) in the Athletic programs and in PE classes.
  5. Use of antibacterial soap in all restrooms
  6. Installation of hand sanitation pumps in PE areas, computer rooms, and lunch areas.

For flu and MRSA prevention, the following are recommended but not limited to:

  1. Cover the nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing and sneezing or cough into the inside your elbow. If you use a tissue, throw it in the trash immediately.
  2. Wash hands frequently with soap and water, especially before eating and after using the restroom. Hand sanitizers are also effective.
  3. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth because germs are spread this way.
  4. Encourage your children NOT to share personal items such as towels, clothing, and any other items that touch the skin.
  5. Encourage your student to take good care of his/her skin, and keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered (MRSA prevention)
  6. If your student has a fever of 100.0 degrees or higher, he/she is required to stay home from school until fever free for 24 hours.
  7. It is also recommended that you contact the doctor or health professional regarding your student’s symptoms.

Please call the health office at 818-360-2361, extension 389 if you have questions or concerns. Also, refer to the CDC website about any updates regarding communicable diseases at www.cdc.gov/swineflu. For more information about the flu click here.