Shady Grove Elementary School

When should I keep my child at home?

We encourage you make every effort to ensure that your child is at school - on time - every day. Your child's attendance at school is not only required by law, it is also vitally important to his or her education. But we share your concerns for your child's physical welfare (as well as the health of your child's classmates) and realize that there are times when it is more prudent for your child to be under your care at home. We often get questions about when to keep a sick child at home. To guide you in deciding whether to keep your child home, our School Nurse has outlined the following criteria:

KEEP YOUR CHILD AT HOME WHEN:

• Your child has a temperature of 100 degrees or higher.
• Your child has diarrhea or vomiting.
• Your child has a rash of unknown origin.
• Your child has red, runny eyes or wakes up with eyes “glued” shut.
• Your child complains of ear pain with or without fever.

YOUR CHILD MAY RETURN WHEN:

• Your child is fever free for 24 hours without the use of Tylenol or other fever reducer.
• Your child is free of diarrhea and vomiting for 24 hours.
• You have consulted a health care professional for the appropriate antibiotic therapy or other care.

You know your children best. If they don't seem well, they probably aren't. If necessary, keep them home and consult a health care professional.

REMEMBER: Medication must be kept in the school clinic with both a doctor's and a parent's signature authorizing permission for dispensing the medication. This includes cough drops and other over-the-counter medicines. Medications sent in baggies, envelopes, Tupperware, etc., will not be given. Ask your pharmacist to provide a second labeled bottle to leave at school as prescription medication must be in the original, currently labeled pharmacy bottle. Antibiotics prescribed for three times a day should be given before school, after school and at bedtime for maximum effectiveness of blood levels.

Return to Home Page