Deciding when a child is too sick to go to school can be a difficult decision for parents to make.  When trying to decide, use these guidelines to help you.

Go to School - If your child has any of the following symptoms, he/she should probably go to school:

• Sniffles, a runny nose and a mild cough without a fever.  This could be an allergic response to dust, pollen or seasonal changes.
• Vague complaints of aches, pains or fatigue
• Single episode of diarrhea or vomiting without any other symptoms.

Stay at Home - If your child has any of the following symptoms, please keep her/him at home or make appropriate child care arrangements:

• APPEARANCE, BEHAVIOR - unusually tired, pale, lack of appetite, difficult to wake, confused or irritable.  This is sufficient reason to keep a child at home.
• EYES - thick mucus or pus draining from the eye or pink eye.  With pink eye (conjunctivitis) you may see a white or yellow discharge, matted eyelids after sleep, eye pain and/or redness.  Should see a health care provider.
• FEVER - temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.  A good rule of thumb is that a child should be fever free for 24 hours before returning to school.
• GREENISH NOSE DISCHARGE AND/OR CHRONIC COUGH - should be seen by a health care provider.  These conditions may be contagious and require treatment.
• SORE THROAT - especially with fever or swollen glands in the neck.  With strep throat, the child may return to school after 24 hours on antibiotics or as the health care provider recommends.
• DIARRHEA - three (3) or more watery stools in a 24 hour period, especially if the child acts or looks ill.
• VOMITING - vomiting two (2) or more times within the past 24 hours.
• RASH - body rash, especially with fever or itching.  Heat rashes and allergic reactions are not contagious.
• EAR INFECTIONS WITHOUT FEVER - do not need to be excluded, but the child needs to get medical treatment and follow-up.  Untreated ear infections can cause permanent hearing loss.
• LICE, SCABIES - children may not return to school until they have been treated and are free of live lice.
• CHICKEN POX - children must stay at home for five (5) days after the onset of blisters, or until all pox are scabbed over and dry.  

• Bringing a child to school with any of the above symptoms puts other children and staff at risk of getting sick.
• If all parents keep their sick children at home, we will have stronger, healthier and happier children.
• While we regret any inconvenience this may cause, in the long run this means fewer lost work days and less illness for parents.