The two main reasons for keeping your child home are:

• They are too sick to be comfortable at school or participate in educational activities.

• They might spread a contagious disease to other children.

 As a rule of thumb, a child should stay home if there is:

• Fever – Your child should be kept at home if there is a fever of 100 degrees or more. Temperature must be normal for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication (Tylenol, Motrin, Advil, etc.) before the child returns to school.

• Diarrhea – Please keep your child at home until 24 hours have passed since the last episode of diarrhea.

• Vomiting – Please keep your child at home until 24 hours have passed since the last episode of vomiting.  Children should tolerate a regular diet and be adequately hydrated before returning to school. 

• Generalized rash – A widespread rash with no apparent cause should be evaluated by your pediatrician.

• Frequent cough – A bad cough can be tiring for your child and make it hard to learn or play.  It can also be disruptive in the classroom.  Children with severe coughs should stay home to rest. 

• A very runny nose – Minor cold or allergy symptoms are not a reason to miss school.  However, a very runny nose, especially in a young child, can make it too uncomfortable for a child to complete school work and participate in other school activities. 

• Persistent pain – A persistent or bad headache, earache, sore throat, or stomach ache may keep your child from being comfortable enough to learn, and may need to be evaluated by your pediatrician.

• Contagious illness – Please follow your pediatrician’s recommendations for keeping your child at home if they have been diagnosed with a contagious illness, such as chicken pox, impetigo or other skin infection, influenza (flu), conjunctivitis (pink eye), strep throat, scarlet fever, etc.  Please remember to notify Mrs. Combs of any contagious illness, as well.  Children may return to school 24 hours after an antibiotic has been started for a strep infection or pink eye. 

• Covid - Individuals with Covid illness should stay home. If you have any Covid concerns, please call your child's pediatrician.

Illnesses occurring during the school day will be evaluated by the school nurse.  Students will either be sent home or allowed to rest in the Health Office and then return to class at the discretion of the school nurse.  If your child needs to be sent home, the parent or guardian will be notified so arrangements can be made.   Please make sure you have provided the school with current phone numbers and emergency contacts so that you can be reached in the event of an emergency.

If your child is absent for any reason, please contact the Health Office or the Main Office, and leave a message with your name, your child's name and the reason for the absence. You can also email Mrs. Combs. If you must schedule a medical or dental appointment for your child during school hours, a note from the provider will excuse the absence.

908-995-4349 or email the nurse