WHEN is your child too sick for school?
Deciding when a student can go to school can be a difficult decision for parents to make. When trying to decide, use the tips below and seek the advice of your health care provider.
Download a PDF version of the infographic below in the following languages: Arabic, Chinese, Dari, English, Russian, Spanish, Ukrainian, Vietnamese
when your child is too sick to for school: symptoms to watch for
We encourage you to seek medical advice if you have any doubts about sending your student to school.
While in school, if your student begins to show any symptoms of an illness that requires staying home, it will be necessary for you to pick up your student from school. Please keep all emergency information up to date. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your school nurse.
If your student has any of the following symptoms, please keep your child at home or make appropriate child care arrangements.
CHICKENPOX (Varicella)
Chickenpox blisters appear in crops and are infectious until ALL blisters are dried and crusted over (usually 5-6 days after start of rash). Only then can students return to school.
colds
Runny nose by itself is not necessarily cause to keep your student home. However, keep them home if they have fever, test positive for flu or COVID-19, or can't participate in normal activities. If your child has the sniffles for more than a week and aren't getting better, contact your healthcare provider.
DIARRHEA
Keep students home if they have diarrhea and increased stool frequency. If your child has persistent diarrhea for more than 2 days, contact your health care provider.
EARS
Drainage from the ear and/or ear pain should be evaluated by your health care provider. Untreated ear infections can cause temporary and/or permanent hearing loss.
EYES
Thick mucus, pus, or clear liquid draining from the eye may be contagious. One or both eyes may also appear extremely red and feel irritated, itchy, or painful. The eyelid may be swollen and the eye may be sensitive to light. Return to school when drainage and symptoms have cleared.
FEVER
A student must stay at home if he/she has a temperature of 100.4 degrees or higher. The student must be fever free for 24 hours without fever reducing medications (I.E. Tylenol, Motrin, etc.) If your child has a fever of 100.4 or higher for more than 2 days, contact your healthcare provider.
FRACTURES OR SURGERY
Notify the school nurse for evaluation of any modifications to physical activity, length of day, mobility or transportation needs. You may be asked to provide written information from your health care provider regarding limitations and special needs.
LICE
Students may return to school after they have been treated for lice at home, proof of treatment is provided to school and there are no live lice. (See head lice page for more details.)
NASAL DISCHARGE (greenish) and/or chronic cough
These conditions may be contagious and require treatment. Your student should be seen by a health care provider.
RASH
Any skin rash of unknown cause is considered contagious, especially with fever and itching. Your child can return to school when a healthcare provider says it's okay.
sore throat
A sore throat by itself is not necessarily cause to keep your student home. However, keep them home if they have fever, test positive for flu or COVID-19, or can't participate in normal activities. If strep throat, the student may return to school after 24 hours of appropriate treatment, if there is no fever, and they feel physically well enough.
Vomiting
A student must stay home if they have vomited in the past 24 hours. If your child has been vomiting for more than 2 days, contact your health care provider.