In compliance with Maryland State requirements and for the protection of all the children and staff, the illness policy is of the utmost importance to the health of our community, and it must be adhered to. Spring Knolls and the corresponding teacher should be emailed if a child will be staying home due to illness. The staff needs to be aware of illnesses which may be present among the children attending our program, and it is important to notify the office if you suspect that your child has an infectious disease. These illnesses include, but are not limited to: influenza, SARS- including Covid-19, conjunctivitis, impetigo, chicken pox, strep throat, scarlet fever, and bacterial diarrhea. 

 

The following are the guidelines from the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services

 

School Health Services:

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Your child must be kept home if they/them has: 

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• A fever. A child should stay home until a normal temperature has been maintained for at least 24 hours without medication. 

• An unusual rash that might be a symptom of a contagious disease. 

• A contagious virus such as measles, chicken pox, mumps or roseola. 

• An eye infection with discharge. After being examined and placed on medication, the child may return when they are no longer contagious. 

• An ear or throat infection. Once the child has been examined, placed on medication, and made comfortable, he or she may return to school when no longer contagious. 

• A cold. A child should stay home until the symptoms of a cold such as coughing, sneezing, watery eyes, and thick, green mucus secretions have subsided. 

• Diarrhea, vomiting and/or symptoms of flu. A child should stay home until at least 24 hours from the last incidence of vomiting or diarrhea. 

• A persistent, hacking cough.

• Difficulty breathing. 

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Spring Knolls follows CDC guidelines regarding COVID-19. If a child is exposed to COVID-19, 

All persons who test positive for COVID-19 or have suspected COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status, should complete isolation as follows:

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● Stay home for at least 5 full days from the date of symptom onset if symptomatic or from the date of the positive test if no symptoms. ○ Day 0 is considered the day symptoms started in symptomatic persons or the day of the positive test (based on the date of testing) if asymptomatic. 2

● After day 5, if the person has no symptoms or if symptoms are improved and they have had no fever for at least 24 hours without medication, they may return to school or child care if they wear a well-fitting mask* for 5 additional days (day 6 through day 10). ○ If they are unable to wear a mask, they may return to school or child care if they have a negative test on day 5 or later; otherwise, they should remain at home for day 6 through day 10. A negative test at day 10 or after is not needed to return. 

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*Masks do not need to be worn in schools or child care programs while eating, drinking, sleeping or outside.​​​​​