Family Resources

Illness Policy

Students must be healthy and in attendance in order to learn effectively. Therefore, it is important to limit the spread of communicable disease and illness within the school community. Students with symptoms of certain communicable diseases, such as chickenpox (varicella), whooping cough (pertussis), “stomach flu” (norovirus and others), and the “flu” (influenza), need to remain home until they are no longer contagious or cleared by a licensed health care provider. However, in general, students may not remain at school with a fever greater than 100.4 degrees F, vomiting, or diarrhea. Students exhibiting these symptoms may not return to school until fever-free without the use of fever-reducing medications for 24 hours, free of vomiting for 24 hours, and free of diarrhea for 24 hours. Students who have three or more consecutive absences due to illness must provide documentation from a medical provider.

Any student with an open wound that is draining, discolored, or foul-smelling discharge will be sent home with a recommendation for further evaluation. Open wounds must be covered during school hours.

Lice (Pediculosis) is an infestation of tiny insects that live on the human body, typically on the scalp. They lay eggs, called nits, which are attached to the hair shaft, close to the scalp. Lice are spread by close contact (head to head, shared combs, shared hats, and shared linens, for example). Lice do not jump from person to person. Lice can be a difficult infestation to eradicate and may result in significant time lost from instruction if they cannot be controlled, thus it is important to limit the spread of this pest in the school community. Students with an infestation of active lice may not remain in school. Students may return when they have completed a full treatment and are free from active lice. Please see the health assistant for further information on treatment and home infestation control.

Students who become ill during school hours may not leave without visiting the health office and having a parent sign them out at the front office desk.