Greenhill uses a layered strategy to help prevent the spread of infection on campus. The specific steps the school takes are outlined below. Please note that one of the most important strategies on this list is staying home when feeling sick. The health and wellness of the Greenhill community depends on every family and every employee doing their part to reduce the spread of germs on campus.
If you have any questions or need more information, please feel free to contact the Greenhill School nurses.
Staying Home When Sick
Staying home when sick reduces the spread of illness at school, and it allows the body time to recover. If a child becomes ill, please follow the guidelines below regarding when to keep the child home from school:
Fever over 100.0 degrees: Must be fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medications (Tylenol/Advil).
Vomiting or diarrhea: No vomiting or diarrhea for 24 hours before return.
Strep throat: Home until 24 hours after first dose of antibiotic and fever free.
Yellow or green drainage from the eye(s): Note from doctor or symptom free for return.
Heavy cold symptoms: A student with heavy cold symptoms such as deep uncontrollable coughing or significant lack of energy belongs at home even without a fever.
Special note on COVID-19:
COVID presents with symptoms that are similar to other illnesses: fever, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion/runny notes, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea.
If your student tests positive for COVID-19, please follow the CDC guidance regarding the length of time required to stay home and other possible steps to prevent the spread of the virus.
If your child will be absent from school due to illness, please notify the child’s divisional office coordinator of the absence (see each division for specific instructions).
Greenhill follows guidelines for exclusion from and readmission to school as recommended by Dallas County Health and Human Services and the Texas Department of State Health Services for communicable diseases for schools in the state of Texas. The parent(s) or guardian(s) of a student with a communicable disease (such as mononucleosis, strep, flu, and COVID-19) should notify the school as soon as they have knowledge of their child's diagnosis. The nurses will monitor trends, and the school will follow guidance of state and local officials.
It is the policy of the school to deal with its students, faculty, and staff within the reasonable parameters of medical knowledge. Each individual case of illness is evaluated to ensure the safety of other students, faculty, and staff members within the context of objective medical information.
The School recognizes that students suffering from communicable diseases should be dealt with in a fair and equitable manner. The School also expects that any student who is infected with a communicable disease shall act responsibly in dealings with students, school employees, and the general public.
Staying Up to Date on Seasonal/COVID Vaccinations
Vaccinations remain one of the most effective ways to reduce the spread of viruses. The CDC recommends getting a flu shot every year. The CDC also recommends getting a COVID vaccine to help protect from severe illness from the virus. Details about CDC COVID Vaccine guidance may be found here.
Ventilation Systems
Greenhill has installed filters on all HVAC units across campus and has outside air flowing through the buildings. In addition, medical-grade HEPA air filters are in each nurse’s office, the athletic training room, and all classrooms.
Hand Hygiene and Respiratory Etiquette
Health experts agree that frequent handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds is one of the best ways for people to stay safe and reduce the spread of germs. Greenhill will continue to ensure that students wash hands at regular intervals throughout the school day, especially as students enter the classroom and before eating. Further, students are encouraged to cough and/or sneeze into a tissue or an upper sleeve, not into a hand, and to avoid touching eye, nose, or mouth.
Cleaning and Disinfecting
Greenhill regularly cleans and disinfects throughout campus. All high-touch surfaces including restrooms, door handles, push plates, water fountains, etc. are wiped down several times a day with a hospital-grade disinfectant. In addition, the School has implemented a weekly application of Clorox360 and an electro-static disinfectant in addition to ongoing quarterly Dis-in-fx antimicrobial application.
Contact
To contact the Greenhill Nurses, call (972) 628-5525, or email a nurse below.