Absence vs. Attendance
WHAT DO YOU DO? HOW DO YOU MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION?
You do not want to keep a child home if he really is not sick; but you also do not want to send a sick child to school. The following guidelines can be followed until your doctor can be contacted for his opinion.
You do not want to keep a child home if he really is not sick; but you also do not want to send a sick child to school. The following guidelines can be followed until your doctor can be contacted for his opinion.
FEVER A fever is a warning that all is not right with the body. The best way to check for fever is with a thermometer, which every home should have. No child with a temperature over 100 should be sent to school. When no thermometer is available, check the child’s forehead with the back of the hand. If it is hot, keep the child home until temperature can be checked with a thermometer. Do not allow your child to return to school until he has been free of fever for 24 hours. COLD/ SORE THROAT/ COUGH The common cold presents the most frequent problem to parents. A child with a “mild” cold but otherwise feeling well may go to school. A child with a “heavy” cold and a deep or hacking cough belongs home in bed even though he has no fever. If your child complains of a sore throat and has no other symptoms he may go to school. If white spots can be seen in the back of the throat or if fever is present, keep him home and call your doctor. RASH A rash may be the first sign of one of childhood’s many illnesses, such as measles or chicken pox. A rash, or “spots” may cover the entire body or may appear in only one area. Do not send a child with a rash to school until your doctor has said that it is safe to do so. |
STOMACHACHE/ VOMITING/ DIARRHEA Consult your doctor if your child has a stomachache that is persistent or severe enough to limit his activity. If vomiting occurs, keep your child home until he can keep his food down. A child with diarrhea should be kept home. Call your doctor if prompt improvement does not occur. PAIN Toothache: Contact your dentist Earache: Consult your doctor without delay. Headache: A child whose only complaint is headache usually need not be kept home. |
Hopefully these guidelines will assist you in deciding whether to keep your child at home or send them to school. Please contact us with any further questions or concerns regarding when to keep your child home from school.