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Is He/She Sick? Should I Send Him/Her To
School?
Guidelines to follow in regard to children attending school when they are ill.
Fever - Temperature of
100˚ F or Higher
Students with a temperature of
100˚ F or higher should not be sent to school. Do not
allow the student to return to school until he has been fever free without
medication for 24 hours.
If the student comes in
complaining of not feeling well and their temperature is
100˚ or higher the parent will be expected
to come get the student.
Stomachache, Vomiting & Diarrhea
A student with
a stomachache may attend school unless it is accompanied with a fever, vomiting
or
diarrhea. Students with vomiting or diarrhea should remain at home.
They may return to school once the
diarrhea has completely stopped or in the case of vomiting when they are able to
keep food down.
Cold, Sore Throat or Cough
Cold symptoms
without a fever will be left up to the discretion of the caregiver.
A student that has a "heavy" cold with a severe cough should probably stay at
home for a
day or so, even though he may not have a fever. Encourage your child to
cover their mouth
and nose when coughing or sneezing in order to prevent the spread of germs.
Students with a sore throat accompanied with fever or white spots or red swollen
glands
in the back of the throat should be kept at home and consult with physician on
return to school.
Students that have a sore throat without other symptoms may attend school.
Rash/Itching
A rash or
itching can be the first sign of one of many childhood illnesses,
a highly contagious parasite, a skin infection or other variable causes such as
an
allergic reaction etc. Exclusion from school depends on the cause.
Students will not be
allowed to return to school until scabies, lice, ringworm or impetigo has been
adequately treated.
Eye Infections
Pink/Redness of
the eyes, with white or yellow discharge and/or eye pain may
be pink eye or conjunctivitis, which is contagious. The student will need
to be
evaluated by the doctor and treated or released to return to school.
Pain
Pain such as a
headache, earache or general body aches should be evaluated as to the cause.
Pain resulting from a contagious illness means the student should not attend
school.
Your doctor should evaluate persistent long-term pain.
If
in doubt about when your student may return to school
following a contagious disease
contact your doctor or the school nurse.