Absence from School and Health Hints

Students should be free of elevated temperature (100 and above) for 24 hours before they return to school. Students returning to school before they are well are more susceptible to illness and may spread illness by exposing others. Please do not give your student medication to mask a fever and then send him or her to school. Do not send a student with a rash or spots to school until your doctor has said it is safe to do so.

If your student develops an elevated temperature that persists 24-48 hours and shows little response to a non-aspirin product, consult your doctor.

Have a plan in place for dealing with absences if you must leave for work in the morning before talking to your student. Discuss transportation options with your student in case they become ill and you are not available.

If your student does become ill, consider the following:

Coughing is more likely to spread disease than sneezing. Teach your student to cover their mouth and turn away from others when coughing or sneezing. Also remind them to wash their hands frequently with soap throughout the day. Please give your student tissue to carry during the school day. The school does not provide cough drops to students. Consider over the counter cough/cold preparations, non-drowsy, to relieve symptoms.

The best home care treatment for a cold or flu is plenty of rest. Push fluids such as water or fruit juice and non-aspirin products as indicated.

Notify your school, in writing, if your work or home phone numbers or emergency contact information has changed.

Please call the school office/ attendance office every day your student is absent.

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page last updated 5-25-04