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BIRTHDAYS AND CELEBRATIONS
Birthdays will no longer be celebrated with food of any kind. We are asking that no cupcakes, cookies, pizza, etc. be brought in for birthday celebrations. This is for elementary and middle school students. You are welcome to send in pencils, erasers, party favors of some sort if you would like, but we are asking that nothing be edible.

Donations of books to the school library, in honor of a child’s birthday or other special event, are welcome.

ILLNESS GUIDELINES

Health Services

Deciding when to keep your child home from school can be difficult.  When a child is sick and needs to stay at home, parents should contact the school and describe the illness and symptoms.   If a medical provider makes a specific diagnosis (such as strep throat, conjunctivitis, chicken pox, etc.), let school staff know.

There are several reasons to keep (exclude) sick children from school:

  1. The child does not feel well enough to participate comfortably in usual activities, such as with extreme signs of tiredness or fatigue, unexplained irritability or persistent crying.
  2. The child requires more care than the school staff is able to provide without affecting the health and safety of the other children.
  3. The illness is on the list of symptoms or illness for which exclusion is recommended.
  4. The child is not vaccinated due to medical or religious reasons and there is an outbreak in the school.

The following list gives guidelines and recommendations for exclusion from school due to illness.  Children with minor illness need not be excluded unless one or more of the following exists.

ILLNESS OR SYMPTOMSEXCLUSION IS NECESSARY 
Chicken PoxYes – Until blisters have dried and crusted (usually 6 days). 

Conjunctivitis (pink eye)

(pink or red eyes with thick mucous or pus draining from the eye)

Yes – May return 24 hours after treatment begins.  If your help provider decides not to treat your child, a note is needed. 

Coughing 

(severe, uncontrolled coughing or wheezing, rapid or difficulty in breathing)

Yes – Medical attention may be necessary.

NOTE: Children with asthma may be cared for in school with a written health care plan and authorization for medication/treatment.

 

Coxsackie Virus

(Hand, foot and mouth disease)

No – May attend if able to participate in school activities, unless the child has mouth sores and is drooling. 

Diarrhea

(frequent, loose or watery stools not caused by diet or medication)

Yes – if child looks or acts ill; diarrhea with vomiting; diarrhea that is not contained in the toilet. 

Fever with behavior changes or illness

Fever is an elevation of body temperature above normal.

Yes – when fever is elevated above 100° and is accompanied by behavior changes or other symptoms of illness, such as fatigue, rash, sore throat, upper respiratory symptoms, vomiting, diarrhea, etc.  Must remain at home for at least 24 hours or until all symptoms subside medication free. 
Fifth DiseaseNo – child is no longer contagious once rash illness appears.
Head LiceYes – May return after treatment and removal of all live lice and nits from hair.
Hepatitis AYes – Until 1 week after onset of illness or jaundice and when able to participate in school activities.
HerpesYes – if area is oozing and cannot be covered, e.g., mouth sores.  Otherwise, may return to school.
Impetigo/Staph/MRSAYes – May return 24 hours after treatment starts.   Wound must be covered with dressing taped on all 4 sides.
Body Rash with feverYes – Seek medical advice.  Any rash that spreads quickly, has open, weeping wounds and/or is not healing should be evaluated.  May return to school when medical provider determines that illness is not communicable.

Mild Cold Symptoms

(stuffy nose with clear drainage, sneezing, mild cough)

No – May attend if well enough to participate in school activities.

Upper Respiratory Complications

 –  large amount of thick nasal discharge

 –  extreme sleepiness

 –  ear pain

 –  fever (above 100° orally)

Yes – Seek medical advice. May return when symptoms are improved.
RingwormYes – May return after treatment begins.  Area  should be covered while in school for the first 48 hours of treatment.
RoseolaNo – Unless child cannot participate in usual activities and has fever.
Scabies Yes – May return after treatment is started with note from medical provider.
Strep ThroatYes – May return after 24 hours of antibiotic treatment and no fever for 24 hours.

Vaccine Preventable Diseases 

(mumps, measles, whooping cough)

Yes – Until judged not infectious by a medical provider.  Report all cases to Health Services Coordinator.

Vomiting 

(2 or more episodes in the past 24 hrs)

Yes – until vomiting resolves or health care provider determines that cause is not communicable.

Note:  Observe for other signs of illness and for dehydration.

Handout developed by The Children’s Hospital School Health Program, Denver, CO (303) 281-2790, 1995, revised 1999, 2001, 2003.    Revised 2012, for use by St. Johns County School Health Services, St. Johns County, FL.

References

– American Academy of Pediatrics, American Public Health Association, National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care, 

   Caring for our Children: National Health and Safety Performance Standards, Second Edition, Elk Grove, IL  2002

– Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, ABC’s for Safe and Health Child Care. A Handbook for Child Care Providers.  Atlanta, GA.  

   U.S. Department of Commerce; 1996

– Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Communicable Disease Epidemiology Program, Infectious Disease in Child 

   Care Settings; Guidelines for Child Care Providers, Denver, CO., December 2002

– Kendrick AS, Kaufman R., Messenger KP, Eds. Healthy Young Children:  A Manual for Programs.  Washington, D.C. National Association for the Education of Young Children; 2002