Health and Absences

Your child's health is a matter of major importance to all of us. The school must be kept informed of allergies and health-related issues. If your child becomes ill at school, we will call you to come pick-up your child. If you cannot be reached, we will call the person you named as the emergency contact, so it is important that this person is available. If and when minor discomfort is experienced or a bandaid is needed at school you will always be informed by the teacher &/or a “Boo-Boo Slip” in your child’s mailbox.

If your child has a bad cold or fever, keep him/her at home. Keep your child at home 24 hours after a fever. You must notify the school if any illness is diagnosed as communicable (strep throat, pink eye, chicken pox, lice, etc...) Please check with you pediatrician as to the appropriate time for your child to return to school after an illness. Children must remain at home if any of the following exists:

• The illness prevents the child from participating comfortably in program activities.
• The illness results in a greater care need than staff can provide without compromising the health and safety of the other children.
• The child has any of the following conditions: fever/lethargy, irritability, persistent crying, difficult breathing, or other signs of possible severe illness.
• Diarrhea that is not contained by diapers or toilet use or stools that contain blood and/or mucus.
• Mouth sores associated with an inability of the child to control his or her saliva.
• Rash with a fever or behavior change.
• Purulent conjunctivitis (defined as pink or red conjuctiva with white or yellow eye discharge, often with matted eyelids after sleep and eye pain or redness of the eyelids or skin surrounding the eye).
• Impetigo, until 24 hours after treatment has been initiated.
• Streptococcal pharyngitis, until 24 hours after treatment has been initiated, and until the child has been afebrile for 24 hours.
• Head lice (pediculosis).
• Varicella, until the sixth day after onset of rash or sooner if all lesions have dried and crusted.
• Influenza–like illness or symptoms, should remain home until at least 24 hours free of fever without the use of fever-reducing medication.

WHEN YOUR CHILD IS ABSENT, PLEASE CALL THE SCHOOL TO LET US KNOW: 478-3833. If your child receives special services during school, you must call your service provider to inform them of any absence. If you need to drop-off or pick-up your child accompanied by their sibling who is sick, call the school and we will meet you at your car – please do not enter the building with a sick child.