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Pupil Services · Health & Wellness

School Illness Guidelines

When to keep your student home, and when they can return

These guidelines help determine whether a student should stay home or be sent home from school. In most situations, any student with new, unexplained symptoms should not return to campus until symptoms are mild and improving or a non-infectious cause is confirmed. In some cases, healthcare provider documentation may be required.

Symptoms and When to Stay Home

Fever

  • Stay home if their temperature is 100.4°F or higher, if they appear ill, or if they cannot participate in school activities comfortably.
  • May return after 24 hours have passed since the fever resolved without fever-reducing medication.

Congestion, Nasal Drainage, Cough, or Sore Throat

  • Stay home if they appear ill, have difficulty breathing, or have a persistent cough or nasal drainage that cannot be easily managed.
  • If they have wheezing that has not been previously evaluated, stay home unless treatment is available.

Headache, Fatigue, Muscle or Body Aches

  • Stay home if symptoms persist after rest, if they appear ill, or if they cannot participate in school activities.
  • If the student has a recent head injury, stay home.

Diarrhea or Vomiting

  • Stay home if they have had two or more episodes within the past 24 hours.
  • Remain home for 48 hours after the last episode.
  • Stay home if they appear ill, cannot participate in school activities, or wear diapers and their stool is not contained.
  • If they have had a recent head injury, stay home.

Eye Irritation or Conjunctivitis (Pinkeye)

  • Stay home if their eyes are red with significant yellow or mucus drainage.
  • Stay home if there is an outbreak in a classroom or if a healthcare provider recommends exclusion.
  • If the eyes do not have drainage, the student may stay at school.

Rash

  • Stay home if the rash is significant or if they have an open wound with active drainage.
  • If the rash is not draining and can be covered by a small bandage, the student may stay at school.
  • May return once the rash has resolved or with a note from a healthcare provider confirming it is non-infectious.

Stomach Ache

  • Stay home if they appear ill or cannot comfortably participate in school activities.
  • Severe stomach pain lasting more than two hours requires staying home.
  • Stay home if the pain comes with diarrhea, vomiting, bloody or black stools, or follows an injury.