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We understand illness occurs and some families face barriers to helping their children attend school. Below are some tips to help avoid preventable absences and what to do when the absence can not be avoided
Tip 1: Healthy kids = healthy families and schools!
Don’t get others sick. Given that acute illnesses, like flu, count for almost half of all absences, you can keep your child and family healthy by getting a flu vaccine, practicing good hygiene (i.e., washing hands often), eating nutritious meals, and getting enough sleep. Your child should stay home for at least 24-hours IF:
- He or she is running a fever of 100 degrees or more.
- He or she has vomited more than once or has diarrhea.
- He or she has flu symptoms, like fever, cough, sore throat, chills, aches and pains.
Make sure your child is symptom-free without medicine for a full day before sending him or her back to school. If you have questions about when your child should stay home, just ask your school nurse. Send a written note or email the school. A phone call is not enough to excuse an absence.
Tip 2: Appointment times matter.
Schedule medical appointments when they are least disruptive to school: late afternoon, Saturdays, holidays or even first thing in the morning. Attendance counts every period. If your child must miss school for a medical appointment, ALWAYS get a note from your doctor and take it to your school so the absence is excused. You may also have your doctor's office fax the note to attendance clerk.
Tip 3: Listen to the school nurse.
If your child contacts you from school, speak with the school nurse BEFORE deciding what to do.
Rules adapted from Missing School Matters and Channing Bete Company. Find tools to help at www.MissingSchoolMatters.org
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