Guidelines for when to keep your child home from school

Winter brings with it close contact in close quarters. Buildings are kept tight for energy efficiency. This combination contributes to the outbreak of disease. Observe your child for symptoms of illness and care for them accordingly. If you have any questions, please call your doctor.

FEVER: Temperature should be normal for 24 hours BEFORE you return your child to school. If there is fever in the evening, s/he should not be in school the next day.

VOMITING: If vomiting occurs during the night, your child should not be in school the next day. S/he should rest and be put on a liquid or BRAT (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast) diet.

STREP THROAT: A child with strep throat who has been on antibiotics for a full 24 hours may return to school.

CONDITIONS: such as lice, scabies, and conjunctivitis must properly be treated and non-contagious before your child returns to school. In the case of lice, all nits (eggs) must be completely removed from the hair prior to returning to school. All bedding and soft surfaces in the home should also be treated. Please advise a teacher if your child has lice so that we may anonymously alert other parents to the risk.

UPPER RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS (colds/bronchitis): are rampant in the winter months. If your child is sneezing or coughing excessively, s/he belongs at home. Even if cold symptoms are less intense and the child feels well enough to attend school, pay attention to adequate rest and fluid intake.

Finally, a word about APPROPRIATE WINTER CLOTHING: even when we enter the spring months, the cold and snow usually last well into April. Children (and adults) should wear heavy winter jackets, hats, gloves, mittens, etc. in order to avoid hypothermia and frostbite. A couple of layers underneath the jacket will help insulate and trap heat generated. A camisole/undershirt is a great idea.

Another important factor in keeping warm and preventing HYPOTHERMIA is an adequate food intake. Our bodies burn more calories in the winter months and so food intake needs to increase. Be aware of your child’s food intake and make sure s/he has a balanced and full breakfast before school (not just a granola bar!)

No one wants to see a sick child (or teacher) so please be considerate of others if your child is not feeling well and keep him/her home until he/she feels well and the contagious time has passed. This also protects your child’s compromised immune system from other children’s germs. A child is never more vulnerable than when he/she is already sick!