Johnston Public Schools

* Respiratory Virus Updates:

The RI Department of Health has shared updated guidance for respiratory viruses including COVID-19.  JPS follows the most up to date CDC guidance in conjunction with The RI Department of Health.  

When you may have a respiratory virus:

• Stay home and away from others until, for 24 hours, both your symptoms are getting better and you are fever free without fever reducing medication. 
• Seek health care promptly for testing and/or treatment if you have risk factors for severe illness. Treatment may help lower your risk of severe illness.
• Practice good hygiene by covering your coughs and sneezes, washing or sanitizing your hands often, and cleaning frequently touched surfaces
• Take steps for cleaner air by increasing both circulation and ventilation
• Stay up to date with your vaccines

For more information please go to this link to review. 

General illness guidelines for school: 

If your child becomes ill, please keep them home. You can refer to the following guidelines for judging illness prior to sending your child to school.  If a student becomes ill during the school day, they will be dismissed based on nursing assessment for one or more of the following: 

• Temperature of greater than 100.4 degrees.
• Vomiting (not mucous from a cough)
• Has diarrhea 

* If fever, vomiting, or diarrhea students must be free of symptoms for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication prior to return.

• Consistent cough, sneezing, runny nose or severe cold symptoms.
• Pain or any other condition severe enough to interfere with the ability to focus. (i.e. headache, earache, sore throat or recent injury) Has persistent pain anywhere, with or without impaired mobility.
• Excessive fatigue, unable to stay awake (possible sign/symptom of illness)
• Has suspicious skin eruptions, rash that is not readily identified.  This should be considered communicable until medical evaluation/clearance is obtained.
• Has untreated red/pink eyes. Crusting or drainage from the eye.  This will be considered communicable until medical evaluation/clearance is obtained.                                         

 * If diagnosed with conjunctivitis (pink eye), students must remain home for 24 hours after the start of treatment.

• Demonstrates any other condition rendering inability to function in school.