Communicable Disease Policy


It is the policy of St. Mary Parish School, pursuant to federal, state, and local laws and regulations, and in cooperation with state and local public health agencies, to establish and maintain appropriate health standards for the school environment. These standards promote the good health of students and educate students in disease prevention methods and sound health practices.

In an effort to maintain a safe and healthful school environment, the school staff will provide educational opportunities to students regarding measures that can be taken to reduce the risk of contracting and transmitting communicable diseases at school and in school related activities.

In recognition that an individual's health status is personal and private, the parish school will handle information regarding students with suspected or confirmed communicable diseases in accord with local state and federal law and Archdiocesan policies regarding the confidentiality of student records.

The following diseases are of urgent public health importance. Parents are to report IMMEDIATELY by telephone to your local health officer upon identification of a case or suspected case.

Cholera Hepatitis, viral type A    Rubella
COVID-19 Measles Tuberculosis
Diphtheria Mumps 

Yellow fever

Food or Water borne outbreaks     Pertussis  
H1N1 Rabies (human)      

Students may be excluded from school and/or related activities if they are suspected of or diagnosed as having a communicable disease that poses a significant health risk to others or that renders them unable to adequately pursue their studies.

Head lice is an infestation of the scalp by Pediculosis humanus capitis, a very common parasite, especially in school age children. Lice infestations are not a major health threat but they are communicable. In order to prevent the spread of head lice in the classroom, St. Mary Parish School has adopted a no nit policy. If the student is found to have head lice, he/she may not attend school until he/she is treated with a pediculicide product (a special louse killing shampoo) and all nits (louse eggs) are removed from his/her hair, as determined by the public health nurse or the child’s personal physician. The student may return to school as soon as these measures are accomplished.

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