When is my child sick enough to stay home from school?


Many parents ask, “When is my child sick enough to stay home from school?” This is not always an easy question to answer, but we hope that these tips can help.

OUR SCHOOL PROTOCOLS STATE THAT YOU SHOULD NOT SEND YOUR CHILD TO SCHOOL IF HE/SHE HAS:


  • Fever (temp of 100 or greater) in the past 24 hours.Child must be fever free and not using fever reducing medication(Tylenol ,Advil ,Motrin) for a full 24 hours before returning to school.
  • Vomiting in the past 24 hours (last episode of  vomiting 24 hours prior to return to school).
  • Diarrhea in the past 24 hours (last episode of diarrhea).
  • Sore throat- that is severe or has fever and feeling ill for more than 48 hours.
  • Strep Throat (must have been taking an antibiotic for a full 24 hours before returning to school).
  • Bad cold, with a very runny nose especially if the nasal discharge is discolored or bad cough, especially if it has kept the child awake at night or could disrupt the class.
  • Head lice – until your child has been treated according to the nurse or doctor’s instructions- no live  lice present (please notify your school nurse and discuss re-entry procedure).
  • Eyes- if your child has crusty, runny or sticky drainage along with redness to the eye your child may have “pink eye” and will need to be cleared by your doctor before coming to school.
  • Unexplained rash-especially if fever and itching-Need to see primary doctor and have MD write a note that student is not contagious with rash and may return to school.
  • Impetigo (honey- crusted sores by mouth or nose), Scabies, Ringworm- need to be seen by the doctor and start treatment follow MD instructions ( on medication for 24 hours before school re-entry).

The protocol may vary a little between buildings and age levels. If your child has any of the above they will need to stay home until the symptoms subside or the MD says it is okay to return. Sending them back to school while still contagious puts other children and staff  at risk for acquiring their illness.

If your child becomes ill at school and the school nurse feels the child is too sick to benefit from school or is contagious to other children, you will be called by the school nurse to come and take him/her home from school.  Please be sure that arrangements can be made to transport your child home from school and that childcare is available in case of illness.  If your daytime or emergency phone number changes during the year, please notify your school nurse or main office immediately. Only people you have listed on your child’s emergency card will be allowed to pick up your student.  If your student calls or texts telling you they are sick, please make sure they have been to the nurse and have them call you from the nurse office.

Please call the school’s Health Office if you have any questions or concerns.

information

Please call the school Health Office or the Attendance Clerk by the start of the day if your child will be absent or tardy. When calling please include the following information: student’s first and last name, grade, reason for the absence and when he or she is expected to return to school. A written note stating the reason for the absence and date(s) is required upon the student’s return to school.

Contact Information

Bradt Primary School Nurse
Lynn Boivin
lboivin@mohonasen.org
518.356.8410
Fax: 518.356.8413

Gail Greeley
ggreeley@mohonasen.org
518.356.8411

Pinewood Intermediate School Nurse
Ruth Borra
rborra@mohonasen.org
518.356.8440
Fax: 518.356.8439

Draper Middle School Nurse
Sarah Kinne
skinne@mohonasen.org
518.356.8360
Fax: 518.356.8362

Mohonasen High School Nurse
Michelle Goss
mgoss@mohonasen.org
518.356.8310
Fax: 518.356.8311

Attendance Clerk

  • Draper Middle School:  356-8352
  • High School:  356-8315