Is my child well enough to go to school?

Many parents are concerned about when to keep children who have been ill at home. The following is a guide intended to help parents with this decision. Your child is not well enough to attend school if:

1.        your child has a fever of 100 degrees or above during the previous evening or night or in the morning. If your child's temperature is over 100 degrees then it is recommended to keep him or her home, especially if the fever is associated with a runny nose, sore throat, or if too sick to enjoy group activities.

2.        your child has experienced vomiting or diarrhea during the night or in the morning. Please make sure your child is able to keep liquids down for at least 12 hours prior to returning to school. Your child should also be able to eat a meal before returning to school.

3.        your child has a persistent cough. A cough that lingers and sounds deep and phlegmy should be evaluated by a physician.

4.        your child has a wide spread rash. Many of the rashes that occur are a form of contact dermatitis or allergic rash to something in the environment. If you child's rash is associated with an uncomfortable amount of itching, a fever, or it seems to be spreading, then please talk to your child's doctor before taking to school.

5.        your child has open or draining sores. These sores should be covered with a band aid or bandage of some sort. This not only protects your child from other possible infections but keeps the sore clean and protected while at school.

6.        your child has irritation, redness, and/or drainage from the eye(s). There are several types of Pink Eye and Conjunctivitis. If your child's eye is just pink then s/he can be in school. However, if the pink eye is associated with any drainage and frequent itching, please have your child evaluated by a doctor. Please keep you child at home for 24 hours after starting medication.

7.        your child has tiny eggs and bugs in the hair - head lice. After the child is treated for the head lice and is free of eggs and bugs, they may return to school.

8.        your child has a fever, cough, or thick , runny nose along with a sore throat; or if he has sore throat that stays more than a day or two, s/he should be kept at home.

    Do send your child to school even if they seem a little tired or irritable in the morning as long as they do not have a fever over 100 degrees. A clear, watery, runny discharge of the nose poses no threat to other children in school. Often times, it is due to allergies. A runny discharge that is thick and discolored (green or yellowish brown), especially if accompanied by a fever, may mean that an infection is present. Ear infections are not contagious and your child may attend school as long as there is no pain and the ear is not continually draining. If your child is well enough to attend school but must have medication during the day, do send them to school. With written parental permission, needed medications can be administered by the school nurse.