Request for Prompt Notification of Strep and Other Contagious Illnesses

To the Parents/Guardians of [grade/class] Students,

We hope this message finds your family well. As part of our shared commitment to the health and safety of all students, we are writing to ask for your cooperation in helping us maintain a healthy school environment.

Why This Matters:

There is a student in this class who has been diagnosed with a serious medical condition that compromises their immune system. For this student, exposure to common illnesses that might cause mild symptoms in healthy children can result in severe complications requiring hospitalization.

How You Can Help:

Please notify the school nurse if your child or anyone in your household has been diagnosed with:

• Strep throat
• Influenza (Flu)
• COVID-19
• Mycoplasma (Walking Pneumonia)
• Any other contagious illness

Additional Ways to Support a Healthy School Community:

• Please report diagnosed illnesses to the school nurse at [School nurse number] or [School nurse email].
• Watch for subtle signs of illness in your child, even if they seem "fine" or eager to attend school.
• Follow return-to-school guidelines (typically 24-48 hours fever-free and feeling well).
• Send your child to school with a water bottle and encourage frequent handwashing.

We understand that keeping children home from school can be challenging, and we deeply appreciate your vigilance and cooperation in this matter. Your efforts directly contribute to creating a safer environment for all our students, especially those who are most vulnerable.

We thank you for your understanding, cooperation, and continued partnership in keeping our school community healthy and safe.

If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out.

With appreciation,

[School nurse name]
[Title]
[School name]

Dear [teacher/staff],

I’m writing to provide information about a medical condition that affects one of our students:
PANS/PANDAS (Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome / Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal infections). These are neuroinflammatory conditions that can cause and often sudden and dramatic behavioral, emotional or academic changes due to immune system involvement. Common symptoms include:

• Obsessive-compulsive behaviors or intrusive thoughts
• Anxiety or separation issues
• Tics (involuntary movements or sounds)
• Extreme emotional ups and downs
• Sleep problems and difficulty concentrating

Please be aware that these behaviors are not intentional and can fluctuate based on immune activity or stress. Students may need:

• Extra reassurance and calm communication
• Flexible academic expectations during symptom flares
• Access to a quiet, safe space
• Support managing transitions or social situations

If you notice concerning changes in the student’s behavior or learning, please notify me so we can assess and respond appropriately.
Thank you for your compassion and collaboration in supporting students with complex health needs. Further resources for PANS/PANDAS students can be found at lookfoundation.org. Let me know if you’d like further resources or training.

Sincerely, [name]