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Keep Your Child Healthy

When should I keep my child home?

Certain signs and symptoms in children may suggest the presence of a communicable disease. Children with these symptoms should not be in the classroom. However, the child may return to school when he/she is no longer sick or contagious to others, and he/she feels able to join in classroom activities.

The following common symptoms are reasons to keep your child home. If you have any questions, consult your health care provider or contact your child’s school health office.

Illness Symptoms
Fever An oral temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. The child may return to school when he/she has been FEVER FREE FOR 24 HOURS without the use of fever reducing medication.
Breathing Difficulty breathing, audible wheezing, or hard coughing.
Diarrhea Three or more watery, loose stools in the previous 24 hours.
Vomiting Children vomit for a lot of reasons, not all of them are indicators of illness. If your child should have two or
more episodes of vomiting in the previous 24 hours, please keep him/her home.
EYES/NOSE DRAINAGE: Mucus or pus draining from red eyes that may be swollen, or eyes and lashes that are matted
and crusty. Thick, cloudy, yellow/green drainage from the nose needs to be evaluated by a healthcare provider
and may need treatment with antibiotics for 24 hours before returning to school.
SORE THROAT Sore throat when fever or swollen glands are present.
RASH: Undiagnosed rashes with fever. Other signs of illness may be infected sores with crusting or yellow/green drainage
which cannot be covered with clothing or bandages.
ITCHING: Persistent itching or scratching of the body or scalp, visible head lice or scabies.

Please notify the school whenever your child is sick and indicate the specific illness/symptoms. If you have taken your child to your health care provider and have a confirmed diagnosis, please notify the school health office directly with that diagnosis.

The health office does not provide any over the counter medications such as Tylenol or Ibuprofen. If medication is needed at school whether over the counter or prescription, a Medication Administration Form must be filled out by the parent/guardian. The parent/guardian must also provide a new, unopened medication package. Medication will NOT be dispensed to student without proper documentation.

Please make sure all emergency contact information is up to date in case your child becomes sick and needs to be picked up during the school day.

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