Sick Day Guidelines for Parents
MAKING THE RIGHT CALL: WHEN YOUR CHILD IS SICK
SHOULD I KEEP MY CHILD HOME OR SEND HIM OR HER TO SCHOOL?
School policy AND state law requires a child to stay home if he or she:
Has a fever of 100 degrees or higher
Has been vomiting or has diarrhea
Monitor your child for the following symptoms that could be the sign of a developing infectious illness:
Very tired or lack of appetite
Cough that he or she cannot control
Sneezing often
Headache, body aches, or earache
Sore throat – a little sore throat is okay for school, but a bad sore throat could be strep throat, even without a fever. Other signs of strep throat in children are a headache, upset stomach or rash. Call your healthcare provider if your child has these signs; a special test may need to be run to know if it is strep throat.
THE 24 HOUR RULE:
Please understand that due to COVID 19 the 24 hour rule may not apply!
FOR FEVER: Keep your child home until his/her FEVER has been gone WITHOUT medicine for 24 hours. Colds can be contagious for at least 48 hours. Returning to school too soon may slow recovery and make others sick.
FOR VOMITING OR DIARRHEA: Keep your child home for 24 hours after the LAST time she/he vomited or had diarrhea.
FOR ANTIBIOTICS: Keep your child home until 24 hours after the FIRST dose of antibiotic for anything like strep throat or other contagious illness.
PLEASE HELP PREVENT THE SPREAD OF ILLNESS BY KEEPING YOUR CHILD HOME WHEN THEY ARE SICK PRACTICING GOOD HYGIENE IS THE FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE FOR STAYING WELL!
WASH YOUR HANDS OFTEN!
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT YOUR SCHOOL NURSE