To School Or Not To School
To School or Not to School
Guidelines for keeping sick children home from school
FEVER—Keep children home if they have a fever of 99.8 or greater. They need to be fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medications such as Tylenol or Ibuprofen, before returning to school.
DIARRHEA/VOMITING—Keep children home until they are symptom free for 24 hours.
CONJUNCTIVITIS (PINK EYE) — Students will be sent home if pink eye is suspected, due to the fact that close contact with other students cannot be avoided. Students may return to school after being medicated for 24 hours with a note stating medication has been prescribed, or with a note from health care provider stating student does not have pink eye.
INFLUENZA- Student must stay home for five days following onset of symptoms or until fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication. If students cannot contain their sneezing, coughing, or nasal drainage, please consider keeping them home until they are feeling better.
COLDS/UPPER RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS-- Please consider keeping your child at home if he/she is uncomfortable from cold/respiratory symptoms such as coughing, runny nose, or sore throat.
STREP THROAT—Students will be sent home if strep throat is suspected. They may return once on antibiotics for 24 hours with a note stating antibiotics have been prescribed, or with a note from the physician stating they do not have strep throat.
RASHES— Many common infectious diseases with rashes are most contagious in the early stages. A child with a suspicious rash should be kept home until your doctor or healthcare provider has seen the child and releases him/her to return to school. Please keep all rashes covered while the student is in school.
HEAD LICE— If LIVE lice are found, school nurse or school staff will request parent/guardian pick up student from school. The student will need to be treated for head lice with appropriate and approved treatment. Proof that they were treated (box of NIX, RID or comparable anti-parasitic drug treatment, or receipt of purchased lice treatment) will need to be provided to the school, and students will then be permitted to return to school. Student may return to school the same day once they have been treated. If lice eggs are found, school nurse or school staff will notify parents, but student will not be sent home. School nurse will assess student weekly until all eggs and no live lice are found. Oil, mayonnaise, petroleum jelly and other home remedies have not been proven to be effective treatments. These are not “anti-parasitic drug treatments” and therefore DO NOT meet the state treatment requirements.
BED BUGS— Students will NOT be excluded from school. A letter will be sent home to parents/guardians with findings and recommendations. Please notify the appropriate school, if you know you have a case of bed bugs at your residence. Please see district website, click on USD 113 Policies and select the Health Policies for more information. http://www.usd113.org/vnews/display.v/SEC/District%7CUSD%20113%20Policies
FLEA BITES—Students will NOT be excluded from school for having flea bites. Please note however, that the itching may cause issues for your student to concentrate and participate in regular activities. Please consider using an anti-itch cream for your student’s comfort.
COVID-19- Please contact your local health department for the most current guidelines.
