Keeping Children Home from School Due to Illness – School District Guidelines

A student should not attend school if:

  • The child has had a fever of 100 F or over in the last 24 hours
  • The child has a cold with persistent heavy nasal drainage
  • A persistent, uncontrollable cough is present
  • The child has a very painful sore throat or a sore throat lasting longer than 24 48 hours and is getting worse
  • Child is receiving medication for a communicable condition (strep throat, pink eye, etc.)
    • Child may return to school after being on medication for at least 24 hours.
  • The child has experienced vomiting or diarrhea in the last 24 hours
  • An unidentified rash or eye inflammation with discharge is present
  • The child generally does not feel well

The role of the school nurse is to assess a student’s condition through objective and subjective data in order to make appropriate decisions and recommendations to parents/guardians about illnesses or injuries occurring during the school day and when to seek out medical evaluation and treatment. Please do not send students to school sick and then have them come to the nurse to be diagnosed. Do not administer medication to lower abnormal temperatures so that they may attend school. The risk of spreading an illness is detrimental to staff and students in the building. Please do not send sick children to school to take an exam and tell them to go to the nurse after it is done. Students should be feeling well when they take exams, otherwise it will not benefit the student. If you have any questions do not hesitate to contact your school nurse’s office.