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Illness guidance

When your child is not feeling well

We are asking for your cooperation to help ensure the health of the entire school community. The following guidelines are meant to control the spread of communicable disease in the classroom. Please consider the health of your child and that of the entire school as you make your decision to send your child to school. One sick child can expose an entire classroom of students to infection.

Fever- Any student with a temperature of 100.4 or higher will be excluded from school and must not return to school until they are fever free for 24 hours without the aid of fever reducing medication like Tylenol or ibuprofen.

Cough- Students that are coughing continuously will be excluded from school if the cough interferes with the child's ability or the ability of other students to concentrate on their schoolwork.

Vomiting- Students who vomit and display signs of illness with be excluded from school and should not return to school until they can tolerate normal meals.

Strep Throat (streptococcal infections)- Students must be on antibiotics and fever free (below 100.4) for 24 hours before returning to school.

Pink eye (bacterial conjunctivitis)- Students must be on an antibiotic for 24 hours and have no purulent discharge from the eyes

Rash- Any student who has a quickly spreading rash, that may or may not be accompanied by a change in behavior, fever, tenderness, oozing, itching, or discomfort, will be excluded until cleared by their healthcare provider.

Please consider the following before having your child return to school:

  • Fever has resolved without the use of medication
  • Cough is controlled
  • Tolerating normal meals
  • Symptoms of illness are improving
  • Rash is no longer oozing or causing excessive discomfort
  • Can participate comfortably in activities

Please contact the nurse if your student is diagnosed with an illness not listed here, for specific guidance from the New Jersey Department of Health.

 

Please follow the guidelines below to prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses like the flu:

  1. Remind your family to cover all coughs and sneezes with a tissue 
  2. Have your child practice sneezing and coughing into their elbow, not their hands
  3. Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth
  4. Wash hands for at least 20 seconds, especially after coughing or sneezing.  Use alcohol-based sanitizer only if soap and water are not available. 
  5. Have you or your child stay home if they are sick, especially with a fever. 
  6. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects.
  7. Allow for ventilation by opening windows whenever possible.