When Should My Child
Stay Home from School?
Bringing your child to school with the symptoms listed below puts other children and school staff at risk of becoming ill. This information is offered so that you will have information to help you make a decision about your child attending school.
Here are some of the guidelines from your school nurse to help you decide:
Appearance, Behavior:
If your child is unusually tired, pale or doesn't want to eat, it may indicate an illness is beginning.
Eyes:
If your child has mucus or pus coming from the eyes, this may be an eye infection that needs treatment. Keep your child at home and take him to your healthcare provider.
Nasal Drainage and/or Constant Cough:
If your child has drainage that is not clear but yellow or green, he/she should see a healthcare provider. A cough that is constant is very distracting in a classroom. The teacher will be calling you to pick up your child if the cough is loud and never ending.
Sore Throat:
If your child has a sore throat with fever and/or swollen glands, he/she should stay home and see a healthcare provider. the flu can be treated if anti-viral medication is started early.
Diarrhea:
If your child has 2 or more watery BMs in a 24 hour period, they should stay home, especially if they also have nausea and look pale. If there is an accompanying fever, see a healthcare provider.
Vomiting:
If your child has vomited 2 or more times in the past 24 hours, please keep them at home. If there is an accompanying fever, see a healthcare provider.
Rash:
If your child exhibits a body rash, especially with fever or itching, he/she should remain at home and be assessed by your healthcare provider. A heat rash is not contagious and if there is no itching, your child may attend school.
Ear Infections without Fever:
Unless your child has ear pain, they can come to school but should see a healthcare provider.
Lice/Scabies:
Lice - If you are aware that your child is infected, please have them treated and all nits removed before bringing him/her back to school. Someone at school can check your child for live lice when they arrive.
Scabies - Children with scabies may be re-admitted to school after treatment. Documentation of diagnosis and treatment is important.
Fever:
If your child has had a fever, do not send him/her back to school until their temperature is normal (less than 100 degrees) for 24 hours without taking medication.
School Board Policy requires that when students are absent from school, parents send a written note that explains the reason for the absence. Please send a note from your doctor or parent on the student's first day back!
**To reduce the spread of germs that cause illnesses, observe proper hand, respiratory, and coughing hygiene. Cover sneezes and coughs with tissue! Wash your hands frequently especially after a sneeze or cough! Refrain from touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
