When should you keep your child home?

 

Many times you are not sure if you should send your child to school or not? Here are a few guidelines as to whether or not they should be in school:

 

Colds:  PLEASE keep your child home he he/she has a fever over 100 degrees or is experiencing discomfort that would interfere with his/her ability to concentrate and learn (uncontrollable coughing, lack of energy).  If your child has had nasal discharge that is green and continues throughout the day, has had a cough lasting longer than ten days, or is accompanied by fever or chills and is coughing up colored sputum, consult with your health care provider for treatment. 

 

Conjunctivitis (pink-eye):  A child experiencing colored discharge from one or both eyes, itching and light sensitivity needs to see their health care provider to rule out pink eye.  If your child is diagnosed with bacterial conjunctivitis, the child may return to school after the first dose of prescribed medication.  Students with viral infections may return when eyes are clear.

 

Diarrhea/Vomiting: A child who has diarrhea and/or vomiting should stay home and only should return to school after being symptom-free for 24 hours.

 

Fever:  A child should remain at home with a fever greater than 100 degrees. The child can return to school after he/she has been fever-free for 24 hours (without fever-reducing medication such as Tylenol or Motrin).

 

Impetigo:  The child with impetigo may return to school 24 hours after treatment has begun.  A doctor’s note or proof of prescription is recommended.

 

Rashes:  Common infectious diseases with rashes are most contagious in the early stages.  A child with a suspicious rash should return to school only after a health care provider has made a diagnosis and authorized the child’s return to school.

 

Strep Throat: A child with strep throat may return to school 24 hours after antibiotic treatment begun.

 

Head Lice: Head checks will be done throughout the year for the detection/prevention of outbreaks of lice. If your child is found to have lice, they will be sent home immediately. You can almost never get rid of lice on the first try. Please check the head lice page for detailed information and instructions.  Before your child may return to school, please call the health office to set up a time for a head re-check.

 

All communicable diseases should be reported to the school, even if students develop them over the weekend and are well enough to return to school by Monday. It is important for me to be able to track infectious disease occurrences in order to provide parents with information about their prevalence and any needed precautions. The following are some examples of illnesses that should be reported to the health office: chickenpox, strep throat or scarlet fever, pink eye, ringworm, fifth's disease, impetigo, and scabies.