Help Keep OLM Healthy This Winter

The cold weather is upon us, and with it comes an increased chance of illness for both students
and staff. You can help keep our OLM community healthy by using the tips below. We will be
reinforcing them at school too!

All Information directly taken from the Public Health Communicable Disease Guidance for K-12 Schools

1. Perform regular health checks, and keep your child at home if they are sick.
   ● Regularly check to ensure that your child is not experiencing symptoms of illness that
   would limit their ability to participate fully in regular activities before coming to school.
   ● If your child is showing signs of respiratory illness such as coughing, sneezing and/or
   congestion they should stay home until they are well enough to participate in regular
   activities, or otherwise advised by a healthcare provider. Those experiencing certain
   illnesses, such as gastrointestinal illness caused by norovirus, may be advised to stay
   home for longer.
   ● In all cases, children should only return to school when symptoms have improved, and
   they feel well enough to return to regular activities. If you are unsure or concerned about
   your symptoms, connect with your healthcare provider or call 8-1-1.
   
2. Encourage frequent handwashing using the following guidelines:
   ● Hand washing with plain soap and water or using an effective hand sanitizer that is at
   least 60% alcohol reduces the spread of illness.
   ● Hands should be washed often and thoroughly, making sure to create a good lather with
   soap. Ensure that hand sanitizer covers all surfaces of the hands, fingers and thumbs.
   ● If hands are visibly soiled, alcohol-based hand sanitizer may not be effective at
   eliminating microbes. Soap and water are preferred when hands are visibly dirty.
   
3. Reinforce good respiratory etiquette using the following guidelines:
   ● cough or sneeze into an elbow or a tissue.
   ● throw away tissues and immediately perform hand hygiene after use
   ● refrain from touching the eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
   ● refrain from sharing any food, drinks, or unwashed utensils

What about masking?
Current BCCDC guidance states that “the decision to wear a mask is a personal one, based on
individual preference. Some students and staff may choose to continue to wear a non-medical
mask or face covering throughout the day or for certain activities.”

To be most effective, wearing a mask should be combined with other important protective
measures such as getting vaccinated, staying home when sick, and regularly practicing hand
hygiene. As much as possible, those choosing to mask should touch only the straps of their
masks, and should change their masks if they become wet or dirty.