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Absence Guidelines

Deciding when a child is too sick to attend school can be a difficult decision.  When trying to decide, please use the guidelines below and seek the advice of your health care provider.

Go to school:  If your child has the following symptoms, they could probably go to school:

  • Sniffles, clear runny nose, and/or mild cough or throat irritation without fever
  • Vague complaints of aches, pains, or fatigue
  • A single episode of diarrhea without complaints

KEEP at home: If your child has any of the following symptoms or illnesses, please keep your child home and contact your health care provider.

Chickenpox

  • Blisters appear in crops and may leave scabs.

  • Your child should remain home until all blisters are crusted over (usually 6–7 days after the rash first appears).

  • A slight fever may or may not be present.
Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)
  • Students with red, irritated eyes accompanied by purulent conjunctivitis (thick yellow or green eye discharge) should remain home until they have received 24 hours of effective antibiotic therapy if prescribed and symptoms are improving.
  • Students with mildly red eye irritation, and non-purulent conjunctivitis (clear or watery discharge) may attend school if they are fever-free and well enough to participate in regular activities, unless otherwise directed by a healthcare provider. A provider’s note may be requested for return to school.

Mild Cold Symptoms

  • Symptoms include watery discharge from eyes/nose, sneezing, mild cough, or throat irritation.

  • If symptoms persist beyond 7–10 days or a fever develops, keep your child home and consult your doctor.

Diarrhea

  • Keep your child home for:

    • Two or more watery stools in 24 hours

    • Diarrhea accompanied by cramping, fever, or body aches

    • Loss of appetite

  • If your child needs to use the bathroom more frequently than usual due to loose stools, they should stay home.

  • Vomiting and diarrheal illnesses are highly contagious. Encourage frequent handwashing with soap and water.

  • Your child must be free of diarrhea for a full 24 hours before returning to school.

Ear Concerns

  • Drainage from the ear and/or ear pain should be evaluated by a healthcare provider.

Fever

  • A fever is defined as 100°F or greater.

  • Your child may return when they have been fever-free for 24 hours WITHOUT fever-reducing medication (Tylenol, Motrin, etc.).

  • Please do not give fever-reducing medicine and send your child to school if they have a fever.

Fractures/Sprains/Surgery

  • A doctor’s note is required for:

    • Activity restrictions

    • Modified school day

    • Mobility or transportation needs

  • The note must include dates of restrictions.

  • Bus transportation may be affected if crutches are required.
Hand Foot & Mouth (Coxsackie Disease)
  • If fever-free for 24 hours and well enough to participate WITHOUT fever-reducing medication (Tylenol, Motrin, etc.), your child may return
  • Rash or blisters may persist after fever resolves. Emphasize hand hygiene as the virus can spread through contact with saliva, nasal secretions, and stool. All blistered areas must be dried up or covered prior to returning. 

Lice or Scabies

  • Lice:

    • Your child must remain home until free of LIVE lice.

    • After the first treatment, they may return if no live lice are seen.

    • Nits (eggs) may remain in the hair after treatment.

    • The school clinic must clear the child before returning to class.

  • Scabies:

    • Your child may not return until medical treatment has been started.

    • Documentation of treatment must be provided to the school nurse.

Nasal Discharge
  • If drainage becomes yellow/gold or green and is persistent, please keep your child home until evaluated by a healthcare provider.
Pinworms

  • If pinworms are suspected or confirmed, your child should remain home until treatment has been initiated.

  • Your child may return to school after the first dose of prescribed treatment has been given. A second dose is typically recommended two weeks later to prevent reinfection.

  • Good hand hygiene, keeping fingernails short and clean, and daily bathing are important to prevent the spread of infection. Household members may also need treatment as directed by a healthcare provider.

Rashes

  • Rashes of unknown cause may be contagious, especially if accompanied by fever or itching.

  • Your child may return when the rash resolves or as recommended by a healthcare provider.

Sore Throat

  • Most sore throats are viral and resolve on their own.

  • If there is no fever and your child feels well, they may attend school.

  • If accompanied by headache, stomachache, rash, or fever, consult your healthcare provider to rule out strep throat or other contagious illness.

Vomiting

  • Your child must be free from vomiting for a full 24 hours before returning.

  • If vomiting is related to diagnosed reflux or anxiety and there are no other contagious symptoms (fever, body aches, etc.), observe for at least one hour before sending them to school.