Please note - the following are days when we DON'T have school:

November 24 - 26th, 2021--NO SCHOOL

We have been seeing many cases of stomach aches, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea recently. As a reminder, if your student has vomiting/diarrhea, please keep them at home for 24 hours after the last episode and ensure they are feeling better before returning to school. Thank you for helping us keep everyone as healthy as possible!

What is norovirus?

A virus that causes your stomach or intestines or both to get inflamed (acute gastroenteritis). Norovirus is the most common cause of acute gastroenteritis in the United States.Even though norovirus can be spread person-to-person, through contact with contaminated items and by eating contaminated food and water, it is often called “food poisoning” by healthcare providers. You may hear norovirus illness called the “stomach flu.” Norovirus illness is not related to the flu (influenza), which is a respiratory illness caused by influenza virus.

What are the symptoms of infection with norovirus?

The most common symptoms are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps. Other symptoms could include headache, fever, chills and body aches. Norovirus infection can lead to dehydration, especially in young children, older adults, and people with other illnesses. Signs of dehydration could include decrease in urination, dry mouth and throat, or feeling dizzy when standing up. Illness usually lasts one to three days. There are no known long-term health effects.

How soon do symptoms appear?

The symptoms usually appear 24-48 hours after exposure to the virus, but may range from 12-50 hours after exposure.

How is norovirus spread?

Norovirus is a very contagious virus. Norovirus is spread through direct contact with an infected person, contaminated food or water, or by touching contaminated surfaces. Norovirus can also be spread through the air if someone nearby is vomiting. Anyone can get sick from Norovirus. You can get norovirus many times in your life. Noroviruses are spread from person to person, especially among people in close contact, such as family members or

roommates. Outbreaks of norovirus have been associated with both food and water. Any food that is handled after cooking or is not cooked before it is served may be contaminated by unclean hands. Outbreaks have also been associated with drinking water and recreational water (swimming ponds, beaches) where people have ingested contaminated water.

How long is a person infectious?

People are most contagious when sick and during the first 3 days after their symptoms have stopped.

What is the treatment for this illness?

There is no specific treatment for norovirus. It cannot be treated with antibiotics. People ill with norovirus should drink plenty of liquids to replace fluid lost from throwing up and diarrhea. This will help prevent dehydration.

What can be done to help prevent the spread of these viruses?

It is important to stay home for at least 24 hours after symptoms stop to reduce the risk of spreading illness to others. In addition, it is recommended that some groups of people, such as healthcare, foodservice workers and childcare, stay home at least 48 hours. Ill persons should not cook for others for at least 48 hours after symptoms stop. Good handwashing should be encouraged at all times. Handwashing with soap and running water is the most effective way to remove norovirus from the hands and should be used when caring for a person with suspected or known norovirus. Although 62-90 percent alcohol hand sanitizers are effective for hand hygiene against other viruses and bacteria, they have not been shown to be effective in killing norovirus. They should not be used as a substitute for soap and water to remove norovirus from hands.

School Hours are Mon, Tues, Wed and Fri from 7:55 - 2:55, Thursdays are 7:55 - 1:55.

If your student isn't going to be able to attend in person school or their required zooms, please call the office (319.688.1100) to report their absence. Thank you!

Message on Masks and Vaccines (9/15/21)

To help slow the spread of COVID-19, the Iowa City Community School District requires universal mask use for all teachers, staff, students, and visitors to our schools, regardless of vaccination status. This is based on guidance from the CDC. In addition, the President’s Executive Order on domestic transportation requires students and staff to wear a face-covering while on a school bus or while utilizing other District-provided transportation.

In addition, our District strongly encourages eligible individuals to get the COVID-19 vaccine. For individuals 12 years of age and older who have not yet received the COVID-19 vaccine, this vaccine locator may be used to find a provider near you.

It is the policy of the Iowa City Community School District not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, creed, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and socioeconomic status in its educational programs, activities, or employment practices. There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination. If you have questions or a grievance related to this policy, please contact Eric Howard, Director of Equity and Employee Relations, 1725 N Dodge St, Iowa City, IA 52245, 319-688-1000, howard.eric@iowacityschools.org.