Frequently Asked Questions
When should my child stay home?
Deciding whether or not to send your child to school when they are sick can sometimes be a difficult decision. Our expectation is that all children come to school healthy and ready to learn. If they are not feeling their best, that decision can be hard to make. Please use the following guidelines to help you make the best call for your child. If you are still unsure, or have questions, please call your healthcare provider or physician.
Your child should stay home (or will be sent home from school) when he or she:
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Has a fever (100° or higher), is vomiting, has had diarrhea in the last 24 hours, or has a rash of unknown origin. The child must be free of all symptoms for at least 24 hours without the aid of medication that would minimize these symptoms. If your child was sent home for these reasons, they must remain home for the minimum of 24 hours from the time they were sent home by the health room. This is a District policy and is in the best interest of all students.
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Has not finished a physician prescribed protocol following an illness which may include having been prescribed medication (ie strep, pink eye). (Policy 8450)
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Is waiting for results of a medical test to determine whether or not they have a communicable illness. Please error on the side of caution and keep them home until you receive confirmation of test results.
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Has live lice. After treatment, upon returning to school, the child will be examined by the school health staff or principal. (Policy 8451)
Your child may be sent to school (or remain at school) if he or she:
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Has the sniffles, a mildly runny nose with minimal discharge or a mild cough (but fever free).
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Has vague complaints such as aches, pains, or fatigue.
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Stay At Home? Or Send to School?...
The following are guidelines for specific illness / conditions. If any child develops any of the symptoms listed, they will be sent home.
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CHICKENPOX (Varicella) - Chicken pox blisters appear in crops and are infectious until ALL blisters are dried and crusted over (usually 5-6 days after star of rash). Keep child home until no longer contagious.
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COLDS AND COUGHS - Cold and coughs are the most frequent problems we see in our schools and they are contagious. A child should be kept home if he/she has a persistent cough and/or heavy or colored nasal congestion. A persistent cough is one that would interfere with your child’s ability to concentrate and learn or interfere with the learning process in the classroom.
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DIARRHEA - Send children home for persistent watery stools especially if the child looks or acts ill. Persistent diarrhea, especially if accompanied by fever and cramps, should be evaluated by your healthcare provider. Diarrhea is usually very contagious. A child must be kept home until he/she has gone 24 hours without an incident of diarrhea.
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EARS - Drainage from the ear and/or ear pain should be evaluated by a healthcare provider. Untreated ear infections can cause temporary and/or permanent hearing loss.
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EYES - Thick mucus, pus, or clear liquid draining from the eye may be contagious. One or both eyes may also appear extremely red and feel irritated, itchy, or painful. The eyelid may be swollen and the eye may be sensitive to light. Return to school when the drainage and symptoms have cleared.
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FEVER - A child must be fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications (e.g. Tylenol, Motrin, Advil, etc) before returning to school. Send home for a temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.
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LICE, SCABIES - Please notify the school nurse if a child has head lice. For a noted infestation of lice and nits (eggs), the child may not return to school until they have been treated and are free of live lice.
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NASAL DISCHARGE and/or CHRONIC COUGH - These conditions may be contagious and may require treatment. A child should be seen by a health care provider for evaluation especially if symptoms also include fever and a large amount of mucous drainage.
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PINKEYE/CONJUNCTIVITIS – A child with pinkeye or Conjunctivitis must be kept home for 24 hours following the start of treatment.
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RASH - Any skin rash of unknown cause may be contagious or require medical treatment, especially with fever and itching. All students with unknown rashes will be sent home and asked to present a medical excuse from a physician stating the rash is not contagious (or no longer contagious).
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SORE THROAT - A sore throat, especially with fever or swollen neck glands may be contagious. If infected, please notify the school nurse. Return date should be discussed with the school nurse. Not all sore throats are strep. If streptococcal infection is suspected, then a medical evaluation and throat culture is needed to determine proper treatment. Because strep infections are so contagious, the child should be kept home and may require medical follow-up.
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VOMITING - An ill child who is vomiting will be sent home and should remain home for 24 hours after the episode and until the child has tolerated at least two normal meals. If related to a head injury, a vomiting child should be seen by the student’s physician or in an emergency room. Please report the head injury to the school nurse.
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What health information needs to be shared in order for my child to participate in Athletics?
All students participating in Interscholastic Athletics need to have the Health Examination Physician Form completed by their medical professional.
Also, the Parent & Athlete Agreement needs to be completed as an acknowledgement that you understand the importance of recognizing and responding to the signs, symptoms, and behaviors of a concussion or head injury.
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