Fever (temperature of 100ºF or higher) is an important symptom of illness. Medication may help your child feel better by reducing their temperature, but this is temporary, and they are still considered contagious. Students MUST stay home until they have been 24 hours without a fever AND without taking fever reducing medication (acetaminophen, ibuprofen). Please note that unless specifically prescribed, you should not give aspirin to children under the age of 18.   

Vomiting and Diarrhea can make a child very uncomfortable. Multiple trips to the bathroom can be distracting and embarrassing for a child. A single episode could be related to diet or activity, but vomiting two or more times in 24 hours, or having three or more watery stools in 24 hours is concerning, and your child should stay home and rest. If diarrhea and/or vomiting are persistent or are accompanied by fever, rash, or general weakness, consult your physician.

Congestion, Cough, or Problems with Normal Breathing - Mild symptoms may be manageable, but respiratory symptoms that are persistent or can not be self-managed, or contained with tissues, should stay home. These issues can also cause asthma flares, progress to bronchitis or pneumonia, or be signs of an influenza or coronavirus. Monitor your child, and consult their physician.

Sore Throat - Mild symptoms may be manageable, but a severe sore throat (especially if accompanied by fever, swollen nodes, difficulty swallowing, rash, headache, or stomachache) should stay home. These symptoms may indicate strep throat, which is a bacterial infection that spreads easily, and should be treated with an antibiotic. Monitor your child, and consult their physician. To determine if your child has strep throat (versus a virus), the physician will need to swab their throat and run a strep test. If strep throat is diagnosed, your child needs to stay home until they have been fever free AND on antibiotics for 24 hours. 

Ear Infections can be uncomfortable and distracting in school. If pain is severe, persistent, or accompanied by a fever, your child should be seen by their physician for diagnosis and possible treatment.

Eyes - Conjunctivitis ("Pink Eye") is a fancy word for irritation or inflammation of the tissue surrounding the eye. Causes include foreign matter (dust, soap, etc), allergies, viruses, or bacteria. The first two are not contagious, but if your child repeatedly rubs/itches their eyes, they can easily progress to a viral or bacterial infection. If your child's eye is red, swollen, itchy, burning, or has thick yellow goopy or crusted drainage, they should be evaluated by their physician to see if antibiotics are needed.  Your child should remain home until the symptoms improve AND they have been on antibiotics for 24 hours.

Rashes can be difficult to diagnosis, and causes are not always know. Localized mild rashes may be manageable with first aid. Persistent, widespread, severely itchy rashes, or rashes with a fever should be assessed by a physician. The physician should determine the nature and contagiousness of the rash, and when it is safe for your child to return to school.

Ringworm is a ring shaped, red, itchy, scaly rash that spreads easily. Ringworm on the skin, should be treated with an antifungal cream and covered in school (with clothing or a Band-Aid). If the rash persists, or if the rash is on your child's scalp then they need to be seen by their physician for diagnosis and treatment. Ringworm in the hair/scalp requires prescription medication.

Flu / Influenza - The flu is a contagious viral infection that occurs more frequently in the winter months. Symptoms may include fever, chills, cough, sore throat, runny nose, body aches, headaches, tiredness, vomiting and diarrhea. Symptoms usually come on fast, and can last a week or more. Monitor your child, and consult their physician. They may return to school when the physician has cleared them or when all the 24 hour rules below are met. Additional information can be found under Flu / Influenza.

Head Lice - Please periodically check your child for head lice, especially if their scalp is itchy or has a rash. Additional information and guidance can be found under Head Lice. If your child has lice or nits, they need to be treated before returning to school. Please notify the Nurse's Office. We will discretely recheck your child, and we monitor for school wide occurrences. You may also contact your physician to confirm diagnosis and discuss treatment.

Antibiotics - If your child was prescribed an antibiotic, then they should not return to school until at least 24 hours after receiving the first dose. This provides your child with time to heal, and reduces their level of contagiousness.

Medication - It would be prudent to also apply the same 24 hour rule to any new medications that your child has never taken. You know your child best, and this allows you to closely monitor them for allergic or adverse reactions. 

Urgent Care, Emergency Dept, or Hospital - Anytime your child requires care beyond their primary physician, please notify the Nurse's Office. Copies of discharge papers should include a diagnosis and prescribed treatment(s). A physician's note should also indicate any excused absences, when your child may return to school, if there are any restrictions to their physical activity, and if so, for how long.