Is Your Child Well Enough to Go to School?
It is not always easy to decide if your child is sick enough to stay home or well enough to be in school. Children who come to school are expected, with few exceptions, to participate fully in school activities.
Here are some guidelines that might help a parent/guardian decide if a student should stay home from school or not.
Fever: A fever of 100.0 degrees or more signals an illness that is probably going to make a student uncomfortable and unable to function well in class. Your child should stay home until their temperature is less than 100 degrees (without the use of fever reducing medication) for 24 hours and they are feeling better.
Vomiting, Diarrhea or Severe Nausea: These are symptoms that require a student to remain at home until a normal diet is tolerated for 24 hours.
Infectious Diseases: Diseases such as impetigo, pink eye with thick drainage, and strep throat require a health care provider’s visits and prescription for medication. Contacting the health care provider and using the medicine as directed for the full recommended length of time are necessary. A student may return to school 24 hours after the first dose of an antibiotic and if they are feeling well.
Rashes: Rashes or patches of broken, itchy skin need to be examined by a health care provider if they appear to be spreading or not improving.
Injuries: If a student has an injury that causes continuous discomfort, the student should not attend school until the condition is checked by a healthcare provider or it improves. Injuries that interfere with class participation need a medical evaluation.
If participation in physical education classes is not recommended, a health care provider’s note which indicates the student’s limitations and what they can do, is required.
If your child becomes ill in school, we will need to be able to reach you. Please make sure to notify the office of any work or phone number changes as they occur. If you have further questions, please contact your school nurse through the school office.
The Appleton Area School District promotes healthy schools by supporting wellness, good nutrition, and regular physical activity as part of the total learning environment. The District supports a healthy environment where children learn and participate in positive dietary and lifestyle practices. By facilitating learning through the support and promotion of good nutrition and physical activity, schools contribute to the basic health status of children. Improved health optimizes student performance potential. (Board Policy 341.34)