Values and Respect

Too Sick For School?

Consider using these guidelines to determine if your child is too sick to attend school:

Please allow adequate time in the morning for your child to eat breakfast, use the bathroom, etc., as many visits to the clinic are related to this.
If you are unsure of your child's condition in the morning, please keep them home and watch them for a few hours. If you feel that he is acting normal and feeling better, then you can bring him to school.
A temperature over 100.0 F. (Remember that Tylenol, Advil, etc can mask the effects of a fever). Try to take your child's temperature before you give fever-reducing medicine Do not give your child medication and send him/her off to school if he has a fever or significant cold symptoms. Keep your child home until their temperature is normal for 24 hours WITHOUT the use of medication.
Persistent vomiting and/or diarrhea.
A cough that keeps a child awake at night, worsens with increased activity, or is combined with other symptoms.
A persistent red sore throat, especially if the tonsils are enlarged.
A severe and persistent earache.
Redness in the whites of the eyes, yellow eye discharge and matted lashes are symptoms of conjunctivitis (pinkeye). A doctor should be consulted for treatment as this condition is highly contagious.
Rashes can be difficult to evaluate. If they are all over the body, blistery, oozing, or painful, they could be a sign of a contagious infection, such as chicken pox or measles. Please check with your doctor before you send your child to school.

Please Note:

Notify school of any medical conditions, such as communicable diseases, head lice, impetigo, ringworm, etc.
Update emergency care forms whenever there is a change in your home, work or cell phone numbers -including numbers of your emergency contacts. Remember, the emergency contacts you give the school should be able to pick up your child if you are unable to come or cannot be reached within a reasonable time frame.

Please call the school nurse at 703-773-2024 with any questions.