Should I Send My Child to School Today?

• Seems very tired and needs bed rest (this is common with flu symptoms)
• Has vomiting or diarrhea
• Becomes short of breath or is wheezing
• Has a cough that disrupts normal activity
• Has distracting pain from earache, headache, sore throat or recent injury
• Has yellow or green drainage from eye(s)
• Breaks out in a rash; not all rashes require that a child stay home from school so check with your child’s doctor

Your child should not go to school if his temperature is above 100.5 degrees F. They may return to school when they are feeling better.

• Your child should stay home from school if they have a contagious disease. A contagious disease is one that can be spread by close contact with a person or object. Examples are: chickenpox, flu, vomiting, diarrhea, colds, strep throat and "pinkeye." A disease may be contagious before the child shows signs of illness. It is very hard to prevent the spread of some germs, especially in a school classroom. Good hand washing will help prevent the spread of germs.
   
• If your child has a contagious disease, ask your doctor when they may return to school. For example, children who have active chickenpox should not return to school until all the lesions are dried and crusted. Children with strep throat should be on antibiotics for 24 hours and feeling well enough to concentrate.