When to Stay Home

Students who are sick are unable to learn and, in addition, may inadvertently spread sickness among others. Due to the close proximity of both students and staff in school buildings, the potential for the rapid spread of infection represents an overriding public health concern.

Occasions when students need to be excluded from school include the following:

• It is our recommendation, along with the American Academy of Pediatrics and the CDC, that students stay home until they are fever-free (without medication) for 24 hours.  

• This 24-hour symptom-free recommendation includes students with persistent vomiting and/or diarrhea.  

• This ensures that children have adequate time to recover and supports their not spreading any germs to staff and students at school.  

 The following is a list of some common conditions we see in schools and the period of time your child should remain at home:

• Strep Throat or Tonsillitis: 24 hours from the initiation of appropriate therapy.

• Bacterial Infections: 24 hours from the institution of appropriate antimicrobial therapy and/or judged non-infectious by the School Nurse or the student’s Health Care Provider.

• Contagious Conjunctivitis “Pink eye”:  24 hours from the institution of appropriate therapy and/or judged non-infectious by the School Nurse or student’s Health Care Provider.

• Impetigo: 24 hours from the institution of appropriate therapy and/or judged non-infectious by the School Nurse or Health Care Provider.

• Ringworm: Until judged non-infectious by the School Nurse or student’s Health Care Provider.

• Lice:  Click the Link:Lice Prevention & Treatment

• Respiratory illnesses must be assessed on a case-by-case basis. If your child has a history of asthma, your Health Care Provider should advise you about treatment. Even children without asthma have difficulty focusing on learning when they have a persistent cough.

In case of contagious illnesses (e.g. chicken pox, flu, pertussis, impetigo, conjunctivitis, lice) please contact the school nurse so that we can monitor for other cases and advise about the student's return to school.

PLEASE HELP OUR SCHOOL LIMIT THE SPREAD OF GERMS BY KEEPING SICK CHILDREN HOME, AND ALSO REINFORCING HAND WASHING AND PROPER COUGH ETIQUETTE.