When to Keep Your Child Home
Is my child well enough to go to school?
Our health services are structured to keep students in school as much as possible so they can meet their educational goals. However, there are times when students MUST stay home to prevent exposure and the spread of illness to others.
Many students and parents often have questions about when a child should stay home from school with illness. The following information is intended to help you decide whether to send your child to school.
You can expect a young child to be ill 5-7 days during a school year. It is wise to have a back up child care plan in place for those days when your child is ill.
Remember that a child ill with an infectious disease can spread the disease when in contact with others in the family and community.
The following criteria should be used to keep your child home and will also be used to send your child home if noted at school:
- If the student has had a fever of 100 degrees or more, the students should stay home for 24 hours after the temperature returns to normal (without the use of fever reducing medication).
- If the student has vomited or had diarrhea, the student should stay home until 24 hours after the last episode.
- If the student has any rash that may be disease related or if the cause is unknown, it is important to check with your health care provider before sending the student to school. They must have a note from their health care provider allowing them to return to school.
- For any activity restrictions (in class or Physical Education) or special accommodations (water bottle, snacks, etc) note from the health care provider is required.
When your child is sick... what can make your child feel better?
- Call your Doctor when your child is sick and follow the Doctor's directions. You can help your child feel better by easing their symptoms.
- For a fever give acetaminophen (Tylenol) and bathe your child in cool water.
- Give your child extra rest in bed.
- For a sore throat offer your child popsicles or sherbet.
- Encourage extra fluids
- For a stuffy nose try saline drops, a cool mist vaporizer or warm steam in the bathroom.
- Do what parents do best... give extra tender loving care