Following is a list of common ailments your child may have. These guidelines are designed to assist in your decision-making process as to whether or not to send your child to school. Your doctor will assist you to determine if your child needs to be seen for an office visit. The goal of these guidelines is to reduce the spread of communicable disease at school and to promote a healthy environment for all students.

Fever: If your child has a temperature over 100ºF, your child should remain at home. When accompanied by sore throat, nausea, or rash, a contagious illness is suspected. Your child should remain at home until fever free for 24 hours without medication. 

Vomiting & Diarrhea: A single episode of vomiting or diarrhea, without an accompanied fever may not be reason enough to miss school. However, children with watery diarrhea should remain at home for 24 hours. If accompanied by a fever, consult your doctor. 

Runny Nose & Coughing: Minor symptoms should not be a reason to stay home. However, if the cough is disruptive, the child should remain at home. 

Sore Throat with Fever: Consult your doctor if your child has sudden severe sore throat with fever. If strep throat is diagnosed, your child may return after being on antibiotics for 24-48 hours. Please send a note from the doctor upon your child’s return to school.

Pink Eye: Mildly red and watery eyes may indicate irritation or allergy. If markedly red and accompanied by thick, yellow or green drainage, your child may have conjunctivitis (pink eye). Conjunctivitis may be caused by virus, bacteria or allergies. Bacterial conjunctivitis is highly contagious and must be diagnosed by your child’s doctor. Your child must remain at home until the symptoms are gone.

Rashes: Rashes can appear for a number of reasons and are not always contagious. If a rash is accompanied by other symptoms or fever, it should be evaluated by your child’s doctor before sending him/her to school.

Head Lice: Students must be treated with a special preparation for killing head lice (available over the counter at most drug stores) and progress must be made on removing nits from the scalp. Follow the instructions on the container carefully or the instructions of your health care provider. Contact the school nurse before your child re-enters school.

Open Sores: If your child has a blister or open sore on the skin, it needs to be covered during school hours. If the sore persists, it may be contagious and needs to be evaluated by your doctor.