• Illness

    Illness/Communicable Disease
    1.     School is no place for a sick child.  Please do not send your children to school if:
        -  they have a fever, District policy defines a temperature as 100.0.
        -  have vomited within the last 24 hours
        -  have any diarrhea in the last 24 hours
        -  have any of the symptoms listed below.  Children should be free of fever for 24 hours, without the use of acetaminophen or ibuprofen, before returning to school, regardless of how they feel.  If your child has been diagnosed with a communicable disease such as strep throat or pink eye, s/he must have been on antibiotic treatment (and free of fever) for 24 hours prior to returning to school.  Also, please notify the school office or school nurse of any diagnosed communicable disease so that other parents can be notified.

    Signs/symptoms of illness:
            - Fever (oral temp of 100.0 or more)
            - Diarrhea, any loose stools
            - Red, watery eyes, pus in corners
            - Constant sneezing and/or deep cough, constant runny nose
            - Unexplained rash
            - Headache
            - Nausea or vomiting
            - Swelling of the neck or face
            - Flushed face or paleness
            - Very sore throat
            - Painful earache

    2.  DO NOT send a sick child to school for the school nurse to decide whether s/he should be in school.  If in doubt, call your family physician.  School nurses can assess and refer, but we do not diagnose, and will always refer to your physician if in doubt.

    3.      If your child sustains an injury at home or off campus, please take care of it at home. I am more than happy to take care of injuries that happen during school hours, but I am not here to take the place of your primary physician for evaluation and treatment.

    4.  If your child becomes ill enough to be removed from school, has more than a minor injury, or has an emergency, you will be notified.  It is the parent's responsibility to make arrangements to pick up an ill or injured child as promptly as possible.  Students are not permitted to walk home, even with permission.  Please make sure there are up-to-date home/work numbers on your child's emergency sheet.  Please notify the school and/or nurse immediately of any changes in phone numbers.  If your child has a temperature in the health office of 100 degrees or greater, s/he will be sent home.   Any child with an undiagnosed rash will be sent home and should remain out of school until all symptoms are gone or a physician verifies (with a written note) that the child is not contagious and is well enough to return to school.   If your child is sent home by the school nurse due to fever, vomiting or diarrhea, s/he may not return to school for at least 24 hours, even if s/he is feeling better.  

    If every parent follows these procedures, it will prevent the spread of contagious diseases, some of which may be life threatening.

    AS ALWAYS, hand washing is the best defense against the spread of germs.  Washing hands thoroughly with soap and warm water is the best method.  Do not hesitate to call your physician if you have any questions or concerns regarding your child.