Keeping your child home

Keeping a sick child home helps prevent the spread of illness and protects the health of all students and staff. Please keep your child home if:

• They have a temperature of 100°F or higher. They should be fever-free for 24 hours without medication before returning to school.
• They've been diagnosed with strep throat. They should stay home until they've been on antibiotics for 12–24 hours.
• They've vomited 2 or more times the night before or that morning.
• They have multiple episodes of diarrhea, or diarrhea they can't control.
• They have a wet or productive cough, chest congestion, or thick nasal discharge.
• Their eye(s) are swollen, red, or draining.
• They have a rash that can't be identified.

This list isn't exhaustive and may not cover every situation. School nurses use their clinical judgment to determine if a child should stay home. Looking for guidance on a specific illness? Visit our Common Illnesses & Return-to-School Guide.

When should I contact the school nurse?

Please contact the school nurse if:

• Your child will be absent or late due to illness or injury.
• Your child is diagnosed with a reportable disease (for example: pertussis, elevated lead levels, Lyme disease).
• Your child starts a new medication or has a medication change.
• Your child has been hospitalized.
• You're changing your child's emergency contact.
• You have any other questions or concerns.