School Exclusions
To maintain a healthy school environment and prevent the spread of illness, the following guidelines should be followed when evaluating students presenting with fever, diarrhea, or vomiting. Any additional symptoms should also be considered when making decisions about sending students home or allowing them to return.
Fever
A temperature of 100°F (38°C) is considered a fever.
Students should remain at home or be sent home if they have a fever.
They may return to school only after being fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications (e.g., Tylenol, Advil).
Diarrhea
Diarrhea is defined as three (3) or more loose or liquid stools within a 24-hour period.
Students may return to school 24 hours after the last episode of diarrhea, assuming no other concerning symptoms are present.
Vomiting
Vomiting that is determined to be illness-related based on the school nurse’s assessment warrants exclusion from school.
Students may return to school 24 hours after the last episode of vomiting, as long as they are otherwise well.
Red, itchy, or draining eyes
Students may return to school when symptoms resolve or 24 hours after antibiotics started.
Note: Any symptoms that suggest a contagious illness—such as hand, foot, and mouth disease—may also warrant sending a student home. These guidelines are in place to support the health and safety of all students and staff. Clinical judgment will always be used, and exceptions may be made based on individual assessments by the school nurse.