Staff at the ECEC were made aware today, April 16, that a child here has a confirmed case of Hand-Foot-and-Mouth Disease. Click here to read the full letter that was printed for families in the impacted classroom, sent as a broadcast to all families with enrolled ECEC students, and is available to read at our front office.

Updated April 13, 2026
The Early Childhood Education Center was recently made aware of three students with confirmed cases of contagious illnesses: Two students have confirmed cases of Hand-Foot-and-Mouth Disease, and one student as a case of influenza, also known as the flu. 

The ECEC sent home copies of these letters and has them available at the front desk; the letters have detailed information about these diseases and what symptoms to look for. Click here to read the parent letter and learn more about Hand-Foot-and-Mouth Disease; and click here to read the parent letter and learn more about influenza.

Updated 3/25/26
This notice is to inform you of an incident that occurred on campus today (3/25/26) that required the presence and coordination of our Safe Schools & Security team and the Salt River Police Department. Click here to read the letter that we broadcast to families and have available at the ECEC front desk.

What happened: Custodial staff found an unknown substance while cleaning an adult restroom on campus and immediately reported it to security and police. Police arrived, removed the substance, and sent it for testing. Results will not be available for a minimum of 4-6 weeks. This is now under investigation by law enforcement; therefore, no other details can be shared.

While this incident had no impact to ECEC children or their learning day, your child’s safety is our top priority, and we are taking this matter seriously. After police removed the substance, the adult restroom was cleaned and sanitized by custodial staff. The Safe Schools & Security team will review protocols on reporting an unknown substance. We applaud the quick actions of the custodial team to follow protocol and report suspicious activity that could pose a risk to staff and/or students.

Like the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community and Salt River Schools, the ECEC has a zero tolerance drug policy. If you see something suspicious, please report it to law enforcement. Furthermore, if you or someone you know is experiencing issues with addiction, we encourage you to call the 24/7 Behavioral Health Services Crisis Line at 480-850-9230. Behavioral Health is located in the River People Health Center. Click here to learn more.

Published 3/24/26
Staff at the ECEC were recently made aware that a child at the ECEC has or is suspected of having Respiratory Syncytial Virus, also known as RSV. RSV is a virus that causes the common cold and other respiratory signs or symptoms; RSV is most common in winter and early spring, but can occur year-round.

This message is to inform you about RSV and the related exclusion and return-to-care practices at our facility. Without violating anyone’s confidentiality, the facts you need to know about your child's possible exposure in this situation are below.

What are the symptoms of RSV?

• Cold-like signs or symptoms for most children.
• Very young infants may exhibit irritability, poor feeding, and/or lethargy (over sleepy, drowsy). An infant may also turn blue with cough or experience brief periods of no breathing (cyanosis).
• Respiratory problems may include a wheezing sound while breathing and/or pneumonia.
• Children with weakened immune systems, prematurity, or heart/lung problems have greater difficulty when ill with this infection
  How does RSV spread?
• Direct or close contact with mouth or nose secretions.
• The virus can live on surfaces for many hours and 30 minutes or more on hands.
• Before signs or symptoms appear, the infected person starts to shed virus that may infect others.

How do you control it?

• Practice good handwashing at all times (before/after eating, after diapering/using bathroom, etc).
• Prevent contact with respiratory secretions. Teach children to cover their nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing with a disposable facial tissue, if possible.
• Dispose of used facial tissues and wash hands.

Is my child excluded from group settings? NO, unless:

• Child exhibits rapid or labored breathing or turns blue when coughing.
• Child is unable to participate and staff determine they cannot care for the child without compromising their ability to care for the health and safety of other children in the group.
• The child has a fever.

When can my child be readmitted to group settings? When exclusion criteria are resolved, the child is able to participate, and staff determine they can care for the child without compromising their ability to care for the health and safety of other children in the group.

If you have any other questions, please call the ECEC at 480-362-2200.