Child Doesn’t Want to Go to School

Frequent crying, fear, anger, not wanting to socialize, behavior changes, stomach ache, nausea. These can be signs of depression, anxiety, stress or fear.

Yes

You should keep your child in school, but try to determine what is causing the changes. Talk to school personnel & consult a health care provider. Your child may be experiencing bullying or trauma, may be behind in his or her school work or not getting along with others.

Chronic Disease Symptoms

Chronic disease is a long-lasting condition that can be controlled but not cured. Asthma, Diabetes, Migraines, Gastrointestinal, Sickle Cell, Epilepsy, etc.

Yes

Your child should attend school. School nurses can provide necessary medical interventions for chronic disease management, including medication administration.

Cold Symptoms

Stuffy nose/runny nose, sneezing, mild cough, no temperature/fever over 100. See information on regarding flu/influenza.

Yes

Your child should attend school. 

Coughing

Severe, uncontrolled, rapid coughing, and/or difficulty breathing.

No

Keep your child home and contact a health care provider. Coughing due to asthma may be controlled at school with appropriate interventions.

Notify your child’s school nurse.

Diarrhea

Frequent, loose or watery stool may mean illness, but can also be caused by food or medication.

No

Your child may return to school when diarrhea has stopped for 24 hours.

Notify your child’s school nurse.

Eye Symptoms

Redness, discharge, itching, swelling, etc.

No

Your child needs to be evaluated by a health care provider for possible treatment. If an antibiotic is prescribed, your child should remain home for 24 hours after starting the medication.

Notify your child’s school nurse.

Family Member Sick, Stressed, Hospitalized

Yes

If you or a family member is sick, your child needs to attend school. The best place for your child is at school.

Head Lice

Intense itching of the head; may feel like something is moving.

Yes

Please notify your child’s school nurse. Your child can be in school following an initial treatment.

Fever

A fever usually means illness, especially if your child’s temperature is greater than 100.

No

Your child needs to remain home until your child’s temperature is below 100 for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication. Consult a health care provider if your child has symptoms such as behavior change, rash, sore throat, vomiting, etc.

Notify your child’s school nurse.

Flu/Influenza 

Respiratory illness with sudden onset fever, body aches, dry cough, sore throat, chills, etc. Please speak with a medical provider regarding your child receiving the recommended annual flu vaccine.

No

Your child may need to be evaluated by a health care provider for possible treatment. 

Notify your child’s school nurse.

Menstrual Issues

Yes

If menstrual symptoms are severe and interfere with your child’s attending school, consult a health care provider and your child’s school nurse. 

Minor Injuries 

Yes

Most children can attend school with minor injuries. If any injury limits movement and causes persistent pain, it should be evaluated by a medical provider. Please contact your child’s school nurse to further discuss.

Rash

No

If a rash spreads quickly, is not healing, or has open weeping wounds, you should keep your child at home and follow up with a health care provider for evaluation and possible treatment.

Notify your child’s school nurse.

Strep Throat 

Sore throat, headache, fever, rash, stomachache, and/or red, swollen tonsils.

No

Your child should remain home for 24 hours after starting the antibiotic. 

Notify your child’s school nurse.

Vomiting 

No

Keep your child at home until the vomiting has stopped for 24 hours. If vomiting continues, contact a health care provider. 

Notify your child’s school nurse.