As we return to the classroom this week, it’s important for our community to know that respiratory illnesses are widespread in Colorado, including influenza (flu).
Flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and COVID-19 illnesses are caused by viruses. Symptoms often include fever or feeling feverish, coughing, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, and muscle or body aches. People who get one of these viral respiratory illnesses mostly have respiratory symptoms (i.e., coughing, sore throat). If you think a child has the flu, RSV, or COVID-19, they should stay home until they've been fever-free for at least 24 hours and their symptoms are improving. The Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) has guidance to help families decide when to keep children home from school.
The flu usually causes mild to moderate symptoms that can be treated at home with rest, hydration, and over-the-counter medications for pain and fever as needed. However, young children, older adults, and people with underlying medical conditions are at increased risk for severe illness and complications.
How to protect yourself and those around you:
Stay up to date on vaccines (including your yearly flu shot). It’s not too late to get a flu shot to offer extra protection during this tough flu season.
Wash your hands often.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
You can find providers who carry flu vaccines online.
Denver Public Schools coordinates closely with the Denver Department of Public Health & Environment (DDPHE) to monitor illnesses.
For resources and information about circulation of flu, RSV, and COVID-19 in Colorado throughout the 2025-26 season, check out CDPHE’s Viral Respiratory Diseases Dashboard or DDPHE’s Respiratory Illness webpage.
Illness Related Absences
We love to see our students at school each day but we also know that absences due to illness can and do happen, especially during this time of year. If children become ill and cannot attend school, guardians should contact the school to notify them that the absence is due to illness. Without this notification, schools are not able to excuse the absence. Note: A school may require documentation after a student has exceeded 10 absences due to illness or injury.
Although both excused and unexcused absences are considered when determining if a student is chronically absent, excused absences do not count towards truancy filings. The fewer unexcused absences a student has, the less likely the student will be considered for a truancy court referral.
If there are barriers, illness related or not, that make it difficult for children to attend school consistently, families are encouraged to contact the school for support.
