A Message from Nurse Ledford

How Sick is "Too Sick" to Attend School?

Children get sick and, as parents, we want our children not to miss any more school than is possible.  So how sick is TOO SICK for school?  There are times when you should keep your child away from school.  And if the child is sick, you should know that keeping them home improves the time required for getting well.  You also reduce the possibility of spreading illness.  Here are five types of illnesses that are reasons for keeping a child at home.

• FEVER --- temperature of 100 or above, child should remain home until fever-free for 24 hours.
• VOMITING --- your child should not attend school if they have vomited in the last 24 hours.
• DIARRHEA --- your child should remain home if they have diarrhea or have had in the last 12 hours.
• UNDIAGNOSED RASH --- your child should not attend school until the rash has been diagnosed and treated.  It could be measles, chicken pox, or some other contagious disease.
• PINK EYE (conjunctivitis) --- this is very contagious!  Your child should be treated before returning to school.

***Then there are times when your child looks and feels like he/she is too ill to study or learn at school.  If so, there is no point in being at school.