September 28 - Primary

September 29 - Upper Elementary

September 30 - Infant/Toddler

October 1 - Lower Elementary

October 2 - Upper School and sibling photos

Students should arrive at school dressed for photos and may bring a change of outfit to change into after their photo is taken in the morning.

I hope that you've had a safe and healthy week. The children are continuing to do a wonderful job wearing masks, socially distancing, handwashing and practicing hand and respiratory hygiene. As we move into our sixth academic week, I wanted to share information on a few topics that will help MSA maintain a safer and healthier community.

Wishing you continued good health.

With health and peace,

Susanna Merriman, RN

Flu vaccine

Flu season is right around the corner. In order to prevent the spread of flu within our MSA community, we ask that you speak to your healthcare provider and discuss if you or your child are candidates for the flu vaccine. Amid Covid, many healthcare providers are offering drive thru flu clinics. Contact your provider for more information.

Currently, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the CDC recommend the flu vaccine. I am sharing the links below regarding the 2020-21 Flu vaccine, Flu and Coronavirus.it may answer many questions. You should get a flu vaccine before the flu begins spreading in your community. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies that protect against flu to develop in the body, so make plans to get vaccinated early in fall, before flu season begins. CDC recommends that people get a flu vaccine by the end of October. Getting vaccinated later, however, can still be beneficial and vaccination should continue to be offered throughout flu season, even into January or later.

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

https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/flu-vaccine-good.html#.W6wffM_ictU.email

Strategies to stay healthy during cold and flu season:

The best way to combat the flu or Covid-19 this season is through preventive measures.

Getting flu vaccine is your best defense, but you may also use the following tips to fight the flu this year:

• Wear a mask
• Socially distance
• Wash your hands frequently, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, sneezing, being with ill people and especially before you eat
• Maintain good respiratory and hand hygiene
• Avoid sharing objects
• Avoid touching your nose, mouth and eyes
• Get enough sleep and avoid getting "run down"
• Reduce stress
• Use tissues for coughs and sneezes and dispose of them immediately and appropriately
• Eat right and get regular exercise
• Avoid crowds and keep your distance from people whom you know are ill
• If you are sick, stay home from work or school
• If you are sick, avoid the elderly, sick or frail

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.

Immunizations ***deadline approaching

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.

With healthy regards,

Susanna Merriman, RN