Attendance Health Guidelines

Deciding when your child is too sick to go to school can be a difficult decision for parents to make.  When trying to decide, use the guidelines below and seek the advice of your healthcare provider.

Go to School —  If your child has any of the following symptoms, they are probably okay to go to school.

  • Sniffles, a mild runny nose with minimal clear drainage, mild cough/sore throat without a fever. Nasal discharge that is controllable/containable.

  • Vague complaints of aches, pains, or fatigue.

STAY at Home — If your child has any of the following symptoms below, please keep your child at home or make appropriate child care arrangements, and make a doctor’s appointment if needed. There may be many more health issues which would merit exclusion. These are the most common.

Elementary Nurse Contact:

Anitramarina Berk

Anitramarina Berk, BSN, RN

Elementary School Nurse

COLDS

Keep your child home with a runny nose AND a fever, persistent cough, headache, nausea, or if your child is unable to function at school. Green, thick nasal drainage may indicate an infection and the need for follow-up with your healthcare provider.

FEVER

Stay home for a temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. Your child must be fever free without fever-reducing medication for 24 hours before returning to school.

DIARRHEA

Keep your child home for loose, watery stools.  Persistent diarrhea, especially if accompanied by fever and cramps, should be evaluated by your healthcare provider. Your child may return to school once they are 24 hours diarrhea-free.

VOMITING

Keep your child home for vomiting.  Your child may return to school once they are 24 hours vomit-free.

SORE THROAT

A sore throat, especially with fever or swollen lymph glands may be contagious.  Students with a strep throat diagnosis may return to school 24 hours after the first dose of antibiotics is given, AND if they are feeling well enough to attend school.

EARS

Drainage from the ear and/or ear pain should be evaluated by your healthcare provider.  Ear pain/ ear drainage could be a sign of an ear infection, which may require antibiotics to treat.

EYES

Symptoms of conjunctivitis include, one or both eyes that appear extremely red, feel irritated, itchy, or painful.  The eyelid may be swollen and the eye may be sensitive to light. There may also be thick drainage from the eye/eyes.  Please consult with your health care provider.  If your child is diagnosed with bacterial conjunctivitis (pink eye) they can return to school with direction from your healthcare provider.

RASH

Any skin rash of unknown cause may be contagious, or require medical treatment, especially if fever and itching are present. Consult with your healthcare provider.

FRACTURES OR SURGERY

Please notify the school nurse for evaluation of any modifications to physical activity, length of day, or mobility needs.  The school will need written information from your healthcare provider regarding limitations and special needs.

LICE

Please notify the school nurse if your child has head lice.  If your child is found to have live head lice while at school the school nurse will call you to pick up your child.  Your child must be treated for lice before returning to school.

Thank you for considering the health and well-being of other students and staff when determining whether or not to send your child to school. Please use caution when assessing your child’s health status in the morning and do not send them to school if you are uncertain of what is going on with them. If your child is diagnosed by a physician with a contagious condition and has been at school, please notify your child’s school nurse.

For health forms and more information, visit the Cle Elum-Roslyn School District's Health Services webpage.