Oregon Episcopal School - ALWAYS OPEN

Student Health Guidelines

We stay committed to providing students and employees with a healthy and safe learning environment and we appreciate the individual actions you take that play a critical role in keeping our community healthy. Please reach out to the Student Health Team at health@oes.edu if you have any questions. 

Measles Outbreak in Oregon 

Oregon is experiencing the largest measles outbreak in more than 30 years. Most cases are in children and all are unvaccinated. Measles is extremely contagious and is spread when someone who is sick with measles coughs or sneezes and their saliva and/or mucus is spread in the air. For individuals who are exposed and not immune, there is a 90% chance they will become infected.

  • Immunization is the best prevention for measles. The measles vaccine (MMR) is safe and 97% effective at preventing illness after two doses. You can view our school’s immunization rates here
  • Symptoms of measles: 
    • High fever (as high as 105°F/40.5°C)
    • Cough
    • Runny nose
    • Red eyes
    • Rash that starts 2-4 days following previous symptoms. Usually starts on the hairline, then the face, and spreads rapidly down the body.
  • A person is contagious 4 days before to 4 days after a rash appears.
  • If staff or students believe they have been exposed to measles or feels sick with measles:
    • Stay home.
    • Contact a provider (your doctor, an Urgent Care facility, or an Emergency Department) and let them know you suspect measles before you go in.
    • Wear a well-fitting mask and do not cough near others.
    • Wash your hands with soap and water frequently.
    • Avoid public areas and transportation.
  • Unvaccinated individuals exposed to measles may need to stay home for at least 21 days, while those with up-to-date MMR vaccinations can remain in school if they show no symptoms. 
  • For more information on the measles, please speak to your provider or visit the following sites: CDC, Oregon Health Authority 

Preventive Health Measures

  • Stay up-to-date on Oregon required immunizations.  Upload all immunization records to Magnus.
  • Make sure your child has a current flu and Covid-19 vaccine.  
  • Wash hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. 
  • Use a tissue or inner elbow to cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough. 
  • Encourage healthy sleeping, eating, exercise and screen-time habits for your child. 

Do not send an ill child to school

Please review the exclusion criteria chart for guidance on when a child should remain at home and return to school. Exclusion examples include:

  • temperature of 100.4℉ or greater
  • vomiting
  • diarrhea
  • new, unexplained rash
  • unusually sleepy or lethargic
  • active cough
  • any symptom(s) that prevent the student benefiting from or participating in all classroom activities (e.g. excessive runny nose)

​​Respiratory Viruses (e.g., Covid-19, flu, RSV)

We continue to monitor trends for respiratory viruses locally and nationally and are aligned with CDC guidelines

  • We strongly recommend wearing a mask when you have mild respiratory symptoms for which our guidelines do not recommend exclusion
  • If you have symptoms of a respiratory virus that meet exclusion criteria, you should remain home until:
    • (1) you have not had a fever for at least 24 hours (without the use of fever reducing medicines) AND
    • (2) your other symptoms are improving.
    • For at least 5 days upon return, you should wear a well-fitting mask while indoors around other people.  
  • Other Scenarios
    • If you tested positive for a respiratory virus and do not have any symptoms, you can come to school and should wear a well-fitting mask for at least the next 5 days while indoors around other people.
    • If you have a known exposure to someone with a respiratory virus and do not have any symptoms, you can come to school and should monitor your symptoms closely. To protect others, consider wearing a well-fitting mask while indoors around other people for 5 days. 

Communication

Notify the school (via SchoolPass or Parent Portal) if your child is sick with a contagious disease as it helps us track health trends at the school and potentially notify families or work with our county health office, if there is a suspected outbreak.

  • In addition, we may have follow-up questions if your child was diagnosed with any of the following contagious diseases:
    • Varicella (chickenpox) 
    • Diarrhea caused by E.coli, Salmonella or Shigella 
    • Hepatitis 
    • Measles 
    • Mumps
    • Pertussis (whooping cough) 
    • Rubella 
    • Scabies 
    • Tuberculosis (TB) 
  • It is also helpful to briefly describe the symptoms of the illness, if the student doesn’t have a diagnosed contagious disease.  

Please reach out to the Student Health Team at health@oes.edu if you have any questions.