Remember that you can always check the MSA website calendar for upcoming calendar events.

September 14-18, 20-25 - MAP testing

September 25 - Primary Planet Pajama Party

October 12-13 - Remote learning days, K5-High School

October 14-16 - Fall Break, Extended Care Only Infant/Toddler through Primary

October 19-23 - Spirit Week (more info to come)

October 21 - Fall Fling (more info to come)

October 30 - Primary Book Character Day

I hope that everyone had an enjoyable holiday weekend and a safe and healthy week. Again, I'd like to applaud the children for their efforts in maintaining a healthy community. I remain so proud of your student(s)! The teachers and staff are doing a terrific job reinforcing good health practices and modeling positive health strategies. The entire community has done an extraordinary job of using masks, socially distancing, practicing hand and respiratory hygiene, advanced cleaning efforts, etc.. Thank you for your continued efforts and for being "all in". MSA appreciates your commitment and willingness to partner with us, adopt the procedures for the return to school plan and help MSA maintain the safest educational environment and to continue to offer face to face education.

If you have not already done so, please visit the school nurse webpage https://www.msasc.org/nurses-forms on the MSA website. You will find resources for Covid-19, Return to School information, immunization schedules, etc. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at smerriman@msasc.org.

For additional updates and information on Influenza and Covid-19, please refer to the links below:

Influenza: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/index.htm

Coronavirus: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/index.html

Wishing you continued good health.

With health and peace,

Susanna Merriman, RN

Immunizations

All students must have a South Carolina DHEC immunization record on file in the MSA Health Office within 30 days of admission or the first day of school. If you are a transfer student from out of state or country, all immunization records must be transferred to a SC DHEC Form at your physician's office or at a South Carolina Health Department. If the student has received any additional immunizations in the last year, a new record must be submitted to MSA. All Medical and Religious exemption forms must be renewed annually, this may be completed at your local health department. Any student not in compliance with South Carolina's Immunization mandated guidelines must be excluded until a immunization record has been received. Please make every effort to meet this deadline so there is no interruption in your child's educational experience.

Flu Season

Flu season is right around the corner. Both the American Academy of Pediatrics and the CDC recommend the flu vaccine for everyone age eligible and without contraindications. This year many pediatrician offices are offering flu clinics, including curbside and drive-thru clinics beginning this month. Please check with your healthcare provider for additional information.

Reminder of the MSA Infectious Disease Policy:

Children are expected to be in good health when in school. All students must be fever free for 24 hours before returning to school (without taking fever-reducing medication). Absences, excused or unexcused, will be recorded for all students. Any student experiencing a fever greater than 100.4°F, vomiting, experiencing diarrhea, or simply feeling too poorly to focus or concentrate on classwork will be removed

from the classroom. His/her parents will be called to pick them up. The child should be isolated until the parent arrives. No student will be allowed to leave campus without the direct consent of the parent/guardian.

COVID Change: Any student (or faculty/staff) who is diagnosed as COVID-19 positive will be reported to SC DHEC and MSA will follow their guidelines for when the student may return to school and whether others must be isolated/quarantined.