When Should I Keep My Child Home?

Guidelines for when to keep your child home from school:

Children who are not feeling well, and exhibit signs of illness, or are in discomfort from an injury or accident, are not able to actively learn in school.  We urge you to assess your child for illness and injury, and use common sense for keeping a child home from school. If you are unsure whether to send your child to school, please call your physician or your school nurse.  If you are keeping your child home from school, notify your school nurse on the day of absence.

The following conditions would be considered a reason for your student to NOT attend school: 

  1. Temperature of 100 degrees F or greater within the past 24 hours (must be fever-free without fever-reducing meds for 24 hours before returning to school)

  2. Vomiting or diarrhea occurring within the past 24 hours

  3. Strep infections of any kind, untreated ringworm, conjunctivitis, or impetigo. These are all contagious infections and must be treated with medication for at least 24 hours before returning to school

  4. Rash of unknown etiology - this may indicate many different things and should be checked by your child’s primary care provider.

  5. Untreated lice infestation

  6. The child does not feel well enough to participate in the entire school day

 The following conditions would be considered reason for dismissal from school by the school nurse:

  1. Temperature of 100 degrees F or greater (must be fever-free without fever-reducing meds for 24 hours before returning to school)

  2. Vomiting or diarrhea (must be symptom-free for 24 hours before returning to school)

  3. A rash of  unclear etiology

  4. A positive strep culture that has not been under treatment with antibiotics for 24 hours

  5. Inability of a child to move safely about in school due to an injury that has not had medical evaluation and intervention

  6. A child with symptoms who is known to be a direct contact of a positive pertussis case, for five days from initiation of antibiotics

  7. An injury, illness, or condition that requires, in the school nurse’s judgment, further management by a parent/guardian or primary care provider

  8. Suspected infectious conjunctivitis based on nursing assessment