Dealing With Illnesses

Families are frequently concerned about possible illness and whether he/she should stay home or attend school We ask that you follow these guidelines:

  1. If a student has a fever of 100 degrees or more, the student should stay home for 24 hours after the temperature has returned to normal (without the use of fever reducing medications).
  2. If a student has vomited or has diarrhea, the student should stay home until 24 hours after the last episode.
  3. If a student has any rash that may be disease-related or you do not know the cause, check with your family health provider before sending the child to school.
  4. If your child has red eyes with drainage or crusting keep your child home and contact your family health provider. If "pink eye" is diagnosed, the student may return to school after the first 24 hours of treatment.

  5. If a student has a positive throat culture for strep, they should be on antibiotic treatment for 24 hours before returning to school                           

Please notify the school nurse if your child develops any communicable conditions such as COVID-19, Strep Throat, Chicken Pox, Impetigo, Pertussis or any other communicable disease.

Common Respiratory Viruses

The SDST follows the Centers for Disease Control Guidance for Respiratory Viruses (updated 3/2024) for common respiratory illnesses such as COVID-19, Flu, and RSV.  Students are required to be fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of medications such as Tylenol or ibuprofen) and have improving symptoms prior to the return to school.   Added precautions are recommended for the next 5 days including enhancing hygiene practices, wearing a well-fitting mask, keeping a distance from others, and/or getting tested for respiratory viruses.

Tips to Prevent Illness and Promote Good Health

  • Handwashing prevents the spread of germs.
  • Staying home when sick helps your child’s recovery and stops the spread of germs.
  • Cover your cough.
  • Do not share drinking or eating tools with others
  • Talk with your health care provider to be sure your child is up to date on their annual physical exam and childhood immunizations.

Care of Sick and Injured Children

Health services are offered to students who become ill or injured during the school day. Standing orders for treatment written by the school physician are implemented by the certified school nurse or the registered nurse assistant. If a student appears to require immediate medical attention, parents are notified as quickly as possible.

Parents may be asked to pick up their children from school under the following circumstances:

  1. The child has a fever of 100.0 degrees or above.
  2. The child is vomiting and/or has diarrhea.
  3. The child has a rash that may be disease related.
  4. The child does not feel well enough to return to the classroom.

Parents may also be asked to follow-up with a medical professional regarding diagnosis and treatment of illnesses. Parents and/or guardians and the child’s medical provider are responsible for the care of the student. School health service staff provides support to families in their responsibility of caring for their children.

In order for the nursing staff to carry out comprehensive health care for our students, they must depend on your cooperation, particularly in the following areas:

  1. Any health questionnaires brought home should be completed and returned.
  2. If your child receives any immunization, has surgery, or is treated for accident/illness outside of school, please notify the school nurse and provide paperwork from the health care provider.
  3. Inform the school office of any change in address, phone number, or emergency contacts.

Health information given to the school nurse is considered both privileged and confidential. This means that the information will be shared only on a need-to-know basis for the safety and well being of the child.