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Illness
When should you keep your child home from school?
Fever- The best way to check for fever is with a thermometer. No child with a temperature over 100 should be sent to school. Your child should be fever-free for 24 hours (without fever-reducing medicine) before returning to school.
Mild Cough/Runny Nose - If there's no fever, and your child feels fairly good, school is fine
Bad Cough/Cold Symptoms - Children
with bad coughs need to stay at home, and possibly see a doctor. It could be
a severe cold or possibly bronchitis, flu, or pneumonia. But when the cough
improves, and the child is feeling better, then it's back to school. Don't wait
for the cough to disappear entirely—that could take a week or longer!
Sore throat- If your child complains of a slight sore throat
and has no other symptoms, he/she may go to school. If white spots can be seen
in the back of the throat or if fever is present, keep him/her home and call
your doctor.
Rash- May be the first sign of one of childhood's many illnesses,
such as chicken pox or measles. A rash or "spots" may cover the entire
body or may appear in only one area. Please do not send a child to school with
a rash or skin eruption until your doctor has said that it is safe to do so.
Stomach ache, vomiting, diarrhea - Consult your doctor if your
child has a stomach ache that is persistent or severe enough to limit his/her
activity. If vomiting occurs, keep your child home until he/she can keep food
down. A child with diarrhea should be kept home. Call your doctor if prompt
improvement does not occur.
Tooth pain- Consult your dentist .
Ear pain- Consult your doctor without delay.
Headache- A child whose only complaint is headache usually
need not be kept at home.
Keeping children home from school for reasons other than illness may have a bad effect on their attitude, work habits and progress. Please bear in mind that much of what is missed in the classroom cannot be learned through written assignments. Use your own good common sense and remember sick children belong at home and well children belong in school.
Readmission to School Following an Illness
A child who has been absent from school for five (5) or more consecutive days must present a physician's release before being readmitted to school.
Send a doctor's note when:
A child has any condition requiring hospital or surgical care.
The child returns to school with a cast or stitches.
The child must have a restricted gym program for more than three consecutive days. A parent note is needed for every gym excuse up to three days.
Contact the school nurse for information regarding the taking of medications at school. You and the physician prescribing the medication must complete the required Medication Authorization form .