It is not always easy to decide if your child is sick enough to stay home or well enough to be in school. Children who come to school are expected to participate fully in school day activities.
Here are some guidelines that might help in a parent’s decision-making:
1. Fever: A fever of 101.5 degrees or more signals an illness that is probably going to make a student uncomfortable and unable to function well in class. Your child should stay home until her/she is feeling better; your child should be fever-free for 24 hours without using Tylenol or Advil/ibuprofen. If child is sent home due to illness children must stay home the following day of school.
2. Vomiting, Diarrhea or Severe Nausea: These are symptoms that require a student to remain at home until a normal diet is tolerated. If child is sent home due to illness children must stay home the following day of school.
3. Infectious Diseases: Diseases such as impetigo, pink eye with thick drainage and strep throat require a doctor’s examination and prescription for medication. Contacting the doctor and using the medicine as directed for the full recommended length of time are necessary. Once medication has been started and the child is feeling well, he/she may return to school. Student’s with chicken pox may return to school when all the scabs are completely dried and no new lesions are developing (usually 5 – 7 days).
5. Injuries: If a student has an injury that causes continuous discomfort, the student should not attend school until the condition is checked by a doctor or it improves. Injuries that interfere with class participation need a medical evaluation.