When should your child stay at home?
Good attendance at school is important in order for a child to do well. However, there will be times when your child is too ill to attend. The following symptoms or situations are general guidelines that may help you determine whether your child should stay home.
Strep Throat
A positive Strep Throat culture is a good reason for your student to stay home until they have received a minimum of 24 hours of antibiotics and are fever free without the use of fever reducing medication. Rest and fluids are an important component to restoring health and we want to prevent the spread of infection within the classrooms.
Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)
Following a diagnosis of conjunctivitis, the child may return to school 24 hours after the first dose of prescribed medication is administered.
Diarrhea and vomiting
If your child has diarrhea and/or vomiting, with or without a fever, keep your child home from school until the illness passes. Make sure your child is tolerating fluid and food prior to their return to school. Always consult a physician with any concerns.
Fever
Children who have a temperature of 100 degrees or greater need to remain home. A fever indicates inflammation or infection and when coupled with other symptoms such as a sore throat, nausea or listlessness your child is not well and may be contagious. Your student should be fever free without the aid of fever reducing medication for 24 hours before returning to school. For example, at bedtime your child has a fever of 101 degrees, but in the morning awakens with a temperature of 97.6, please keep your child home.
Rash
Children with undiagnosed rashes are not allowed in school and a doctor should be consulted for a diagnosis. A doctor should always see children with fever and a rash.
Runny nose/Cold Symptoms
A bad cough or cold symptoms can indicate a severe cold, bronchitis, flu or even pneumonia. If your child has a harsh or persistent cough, difficulty breathing or complaining of discomfort in the chest or throat, please check with your pediatrician right away. However, a mild cold should not be a reason to miss school.
You Suspect Any Type of Illness/Infection
Should your child have symptoms of illness not mentioned here which may or may not be contagious, feel free to call the school nurse to assist you in determining if you should send your child to school. A sick child cannot learn effectively and is unable to participate in classes in a meaningful way. Keeping a sick child home prevents the spread of illness in the school community and allows the child the opportunity to rest and recover.