General Health Information

When should you keep your child home from school?

As school nurses, it is our job to maintain a healthy school environment.  That can be challenging, especially during the cold and flu season.  The staff cleans and disinfects classroom areas regularly and increases their efforts during times of increased communicability.

We understand that it can be difficult for parents to take time off from work when their children are ill, but it is essential to keep children home during those times.

Children should be kept home for the following circumstances:

• Fever > 100 degrees F  - child should be fever-free without medication for at least 24 hours before returning to school

• Vomiting - child should not vomit for a 24 hour period before returning to school

• Diarrhea - child should not have diarrhea for a 24 hour period before returning to school

• Lice - child may return to school following an approved lice removal treatment and inspection by the school nurse

• Pink Eye - child may return to school following 2 doses of antibiotic eye drops

• Strep Infection - child may return to school following 2 doses of antibiotic treatment

We understand that it is important for students to be in school, but sick children need time to rest and recuperate, which decreases the spread of germs and viruses to other students. If you are ever unsure whether to send your child back to school or keep them home, please contact a school nurse at your child's school building.