Illness Policy
Please do not send your child to school if you suspect a fever, rash or other signs of illness. If your child exhibits the following symptoms at home, please follow these guidelines:
Rash
Any child with an unexplained rash or eye inflammation must be kept home until a diagnosis is made by a physician.
Fever
If a fever is present during an illness, the child should be kept home until the temperature is normal for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication, and all symptoms have disappeared.
Cold
A student with acute early symptoms of a common cold should stay at home to prevent serious developments as well as to protect classmates and teachers from exposure to illness. If this practice is followed, fewer absences due to respiratory illness will occur.
Stomachache
If a child complains of or is showing signs of a stomachache in the morning, keep the child at home. If nothing further develops, the child should return to school the following day. Note: Any child who is nauseated has vomited and/or has diarrhea needs to remain home from school for 24 hours from the last occurrence.
Head Lice
We have recently had questions regarding current practice responding to head lice reports or prevention in our schools. Kindly refer to our head lice policy for complete detail.
Although it is unpleasant, the occurrence of head lice is common throughout the country. If there is a reported case of head lice, the schools follow the approved administrative procedures based on the most current, research-based information. If an infestation is verified, the parent will be notified and asked to pick the student up. The student cannot come back to school until treatment is completed. If requested, parents are given information about the treatment steps to follow. The student may return to school as soon as treatment can be verified. It is important that instructional time be protected.
The building administrator and school nurse have discretion about which students to examine. It is not best practice to either examine the entire school/classroom, or notify the entire parent population regarding selected infestation of head lice. The school intends to prevent the spread of head lice while protecting a student’s right to privacy.
Please do not send your child to school if you suspect a fever, rash or other signs of illness. If your child exhibits the following symptoms at home, please follow these guidelines:
Rash
Any child with an unexplained rash or eye inflammation must be kept home until a diagnosis is made by a physician.
Fever
If a fever is present during an illness, the child should be kept home until the temperature is normal for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication, and all symptoms have disappeared.
Cold
A student with acute early symptoms of a common cold should stay at home to prevent serious developments as well as to protect classmates and teachers from exposure to illness. If this practice is followed, fewer absences due to respiratory illness will occur.
Stomachache
If a child complains of or is showing signs of a stomachache in the morning, keep the child at home. If nothing further develops, the child should return to school the following day. Note: Any child who is nauseated has vomited and/or has diarrhea needs to remain home from school for 24 hours from the last occurrence.
Head Lice
We have recently had questions regarding current practice responding to head lice reports or prevention in our schools. Kindly refer to our head lice policy for complete detail.
Although it is unpleasant, the occurrence of head lice is common throughout the country. If there is a reported case of head lice, the schools follow the approved administrative procedures based on the most current, research-based information. If an infestation is verified, the parent will be notified and asked to pick the student up. The student cannot come back to school until treatment is completed. If requested, parents are given information about the treatment steps to follow. The student may return to school as soon as treatment can be verified. It is important that instructional time be protected.
The building administrator and school nurse have discretion about which students to examine. It is not best practice to either examine the entire school/classroom, or notify the entire parent population regarding selected infestation of head lice. The school intends to prevent the spread of head lice while protecting a student’s right to privacy.
Attendance Policy
We realize that every student has a right to educational opportunities that will enable students to develop to his or her fullest potential. Routine and structure are imperative for our students, therefore high rates of absenteeism have a negative impact on school success and progress.
It is the responsibility of the parents or guardians to notify the office by telephone or in writing anytime there is an absence. Parents or Guardians are asked to call the school by 9am. If a call is not received, a school representative will contact parents or guardians to obtain a reason for the absence. When the student returns to school, a note from the parent or guardian should be received within 24 hours with the reason for the absence. Absences are either recorded as excused or unexcused dependent on reason, any student with 2 or more unexcused days of absent in a month or 18 or more unexcused days absent in a school year, will be considered to have “chronic absenteeism. Administration will review absences on a regular basis. Students with frequent absences will be noted and administration is required to initiate appropriate actions. Please note that any extended absence or illness (3 days or more) require a physician’s note upon return. If a note is not received within three days of the student’s return, the absence will be considered unexcused. The physician’s note should state the date, time, and whether a school absence is warranted.
Examples of excused absences are:
Examples of unexcused absences are:
We realize that every student has a right to educational opportunities that will enable students to develop to his or her fullest potential. Routine and structure are imperative for our students, therefore high rates of absenteeism have a negative impact on school success and progress.
It is the responsibility of the parents or guardians to notify the office by telephone or in writing anytime there is an absence. Parents or Guardians are asked to call the school by 9am. If a call is not received, a school representative will contact parents or guardians to obtain a reason for the absence. When the student returns to school, a note from the parent or guardian should be received within 24 hours with the reason for the absence. Absences are either recorded as excused or unexcused dependent on reason, any student with 2 or more unexcused days of absent in a month or 18 or more unexcused days absent in a school year, will be considered to have “chronic absenteeism. Administration will review absences on a regular basis. Students with frequent absences will be noted and administration is required to initiate appropriate actions. Please note that any extended absence or illness (3 days or more) require a physician’s note upon return. If a note is not received within three days of the student’s return, the absence will be considered unexcused. The physician’s note should state the date, time, and whether a school absence is warranted.
Examples of excused absences are:
- Personal illness
- Doctor appointment
- Dentist appointment
- Family illness
- Death of an immediate family
- Religious observance (Holiday’s)
Examples of unexcused absences are:
- Overslept
- Missed the bus
- Running late
- “An appointment”
- Family Vacation