When should your child stay at home?

General Guidelines for when your student should Not Report to School
Good attendance at school is important in order for a child to do well. However, there will be times when your child is too ill to attend. The following symptoms or situations can help you determine whether your child should stay home.

COVID 19
A positive home rapid antigen test or PCR test for COVID 19 requires that your student isolate at home for 5 days from the first full day of symptom onset or positive test as recommended by the CDC. Your student may return on day 6 as long as they have been fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medications and improving symptoms. Rest and fluids are an important component to restoring health. If your child has a health risk please contact your Pediatrician for additional support.

Strep Throat 
A positive Strep Throat culture is a good reason for your student to stay home until they have received a minimum of 24 hours of antibiotics and are fever free without the use of fever reducing medication.

Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)
Following a diagnosis of conjunctivitis, the child may return to school 24 hours after the first dose of prescribed medication is administered or with a note from the physician.

Diarrhea and vomiting
If your child has diarrhea and/or vomiting, with or without a fever, keep your child home from school until the illness passes. 24 hours is recommended to make sure your child is tolerating fluid and food without the return of vomiting or diarrhea. Always consult a physician with any concerns.

Fever
Children who have a temperature of 100 degrees or greater need to remain home.  A fever indicates inflammation or infection and when coupled with other symptoms such as a sore throat, nausea or listlessness your child is not well and may be contagious. Your student should be fever free without the use of fever reducing medication for 24 hours before returning to school. 

Rash
Children with undiagnosed rashes are not allowed in school and a doctor should be consulted for a diagnosis. Anytime your child has a fever and develops a rash, consult your Pediatrician. 

Runny nose/Cold Symptoms
A mild cold and runny nose is not a reason to stay home. However, a bad cough with cold symptoms can indicate an upper respiratory infection, bronchitis or Covid 19. If your child has a harsh or persistent cough, difficulty breathing or complaining of discomfort in the chest or throat, please check with your pediatrician right away.

You Suspect Illness/Infection
You know your child best. Should your child have symptoms of illness not mentioned here, which may or may not be contagious, feel free to call the school nurse  to assist you in determining if your child should stay home. A sick child cannot learn effectively and is unable to participate in class in a meaningful way. Additionally, keeping a sick child home prevents the spread of illness in the school community and allows your child the opportunity to rest and recover.

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