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Illness Guidance

A teddybear that appears sick

Disclaimer | The information on this webpage is not medical advice. Always seek the care of a medical health care provider. 

Is Your Child Too Sick for School?

To assist you in your decision to send your child to school, please review the guidelines below. If your child will be absent, please notify the school to report the reason for proper documentation.

 

If one or more of the following is true, consider keeping your child home––

 

Cough and Cold Symptoms
 
  1. Frequent, uncontrollable cough that worsens with physical activity.
  2. Severe nasal congestion that limits a students' ability to engage in academic work.
  3. Inability to swallow or difficulty breathing.
  4. A fever.
 
Eye Irritation and/or Pink Eye
  1. Yellow or green discharge in the eye with pinkness seen in the white parts of the eyes.
  2. Problems seeing.
  3. Eye injury from a forceful impact or penetration.
  4. Severe pain/discomfort.
Note - Eye irritation can result from allergies or pollution. Consult a medical provider for guidance.
 
Diarrhea
  1. Stool that is more frequent and is "looser" or "softer" than usual without a change in diet.
  2. An "accident" occurs outside the toilet.
  3. Yellow skin/eyes.
 
Fever
If your child has a temperature above 100.4° F, please keep your child home.
The child may return to school when they have no other symptoms and––
  • The fever went away during the night and has not returned in the morning without the use of fever-reducing medications, such as Tylenol® or Advil®.
 
Lice
Do not send your child to school if they have––
  • Active lice or nits and have not begun treatment.
 
Note - After treatment for lice has began, the school licensed vocational nurse or health clerk will verify if the student has no active lice or nits. For further information, please refer to Policy 5141.33.
 
Rash or Itching
  1. An open wound that cannot be covered and is in an area that could come into contact with others.
  2. Bruising without a known injury or in an unusual location.
  3. A rapidly spreading rash that is dark red or purple.
  4. A tender, red area of skin that is increasing in size or tenderness.
Note - Consult a medical provider for a diagnosis and treatment for rashes and itching.
 
Vomiting
  1. Vomiting has occurred two or more times in 24-hours.
  2. Hives appear in addition to vomiting.
  3. Vomit appears green or bloody.
  4. Vomiting occurs after a recent head injury.
  5. Student looks or acts extremely ill before and/or after vomiting.
Note - A student who vomits at school due to illness will be sent home.
If your child's stops vomiting by the morning, can hold down liquids, and has no other symptoms, they are allowed to attend school.