Collister-From the Nurse's office

October 29, 2026

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Collister Elementary School  is committed to the health and safety of our students and staff. Because of this, we are informing you that we have had another case of Pertussis (whooping cough) diagnosed this week. Your child may have been exposed to whooping cough (Pertussis) while at school. 

Whooping cough is an infection that affects the airways. Whooping cough can cause a severe cough that lasts for weeks or months, sometimes leading to coughing “fits” or vomiting. Anyone can get whooping cough, but it can be very dangerous for babies and people with certain health conditions that may develop more severe symptoms. The bacteria that cause whooping cough can easily spread from person to person by coughing or sneezing.

Recommendations:

1. If your child does not have a cough, but has a health condition (like asthma):

• Talk to your child’s medical provider about possibly prescribing antibiotics. Doctors may prescribe antibiotics to a child if they have been exposed to whooping cough, even if they are not coughing, to try to prevent illness. 

2. If your child has a cough:

• If your child has a cough that is new or not your child’s baseline, we ask that you keep your child home from school and school sponsored events according to the Boise School District Illness Procedure. In order to reduce spread of any potential illness, you would want to consider keeping your child home from play dates and other activities as well.  

• Contact your child’s medical provider and let them know that your child may have been exposed to whooping cough.

3. If your child is being treated or has been diagnosed with whooping cough by their  

    medical provider:

• Please let us know that a medical provider has diagnosed your child with whooping cough.

• It  is advised that if your child has pertussis or is suspected of having pertussis that you keep your child home from school and activities, such as sports or play groups, until they have been on antibiotic therapy for 5 days or 21 days since the cough onset without antibiotic therapy, until your child is no longer contagious.

• Ask your child’s doctor for a note that states your child has been diagnosed with whooping cough.

We encourage you to talk with your child’s medical provider about vaccinations that may help prevent whooping cough. If you have any questions about Pertussis, please call your personal physician. If I can be of any assistance, please let me know.

Thank you,

Kasey Freston, RN, Collister School Nurse

(208) 854 - 4656