Illness

Communicable diseases:

If a student is diagnosed with a communicable disease such as but not limited to mono, strep throat, chicken pox, conjunctivitis, or shingles, contact the school nurse. This information is vital for control measures as well as for protecting students and staff who may be medically at risk from exposure to these diseases. Students need to remain home until they are no longer contagious. This limits the spread of illness and allows your child to recover quicker. Listed below are guidelines for when your child should return to school after having a communicable disease:

Chicken Pox/Shingles: Notify the school nurse immediately if your child is diagnosed or suspected to have either of these conditions.  There are MDPH guidelines that govern your child's return to school.

Conjunctivitis: 24 hours after the medication has started and there is no drainage from the eyes.

Covid-19*: After June 22, 2022, notify the Westwood Board of Health (The Covid Response Team will be disbanded following the last day of school). 

*Return to school guidelines are established by the DPH and CDC and adapted by DESE. WPS follows the DESE guidelines*.

Fifth Disease: No isolation period. Please notify the school if it is suspected or diagnosed.

Fever: Fever is defined as a temperature greater than 100 degrees F. Students may attend school when their  temperature is below 100 degrees and they have not taken fever reducing medication (i.e. Tylenol/acetaminophen; Motrin/ibuprofen) for 24 hours. 

Fevers associated with a virus are lowest in the morning. If your child has a fever in the evening or during the night, they should not attend school the next day.  Students need to be fever free for 24 hours before returning to school.

Head Lice (Pediculosis): Head lice can be a nuisance but they have not been shown to spread disease, and are not correlated with personal hygiene or cleanliness. Lice is easily transmitted and completing treatment is important. Your child's pedicatrician can provide guidance regarding treatment. Over the counter treatments and treatment services are availble. Students may return to school after appropriate treatment has begun. Please contact the school nurse if your child has lice. 

Mono: No isolation period.  Notify the school nurse if it is suspected or diagnosed.

Strep Throat or Skin Infections: 24 to 48 hours after starting antibiotic treatment or medication, fever-free, and improved symptoms. 

Vomiting/Diarrhea: Students should be symptom free, fever free, and able to tolerate TWO meals without vomiting/symptoms for at least 24 hours before returning to school.

Each day many parents are faced with the decision whether they should keep their sick children at home or send them to school. Often the way your child looks or behaves can help you make the decision. The above guidelines should be considered when you are trying to decide. Keep in mind that a sick child cannot learn effectively and is unable to participate in class in a meaningful way. Keeping a sick child at home helps prevent the spread of illness in the school community and allows the child an opportunity to rest and recover. Please feel free to call the nurse's office if you have any questions regarding school attendance guidelines.