Sick Day Guidelines for Parents 2024-2025

To aid in minimizing the spread of illness in school, the following are helpful guidelines to follow when your child is sick and not well enough to participate in school.

● A temperature of 100.4 degrees or higher until he/she is fever free for 24 hours without

fever reducing medication. Fever is a symptom indicating the presence of an illness.

● For Covid- may return to school when fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of

fever-reducing medications, with improved symptoms

● For the Flu – may return to school when fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications, with improved symptoms

● An undiagnosed rash – note from medical provider required for return to school

● Vomiting in the last 24 hours; day 0 is the day of the last vomiting episode and day 1 is the following day student should stay home. Student may return on day 2.

● Diarrhea in the last 24 hours; day 0 is the day of the last diarrhea episode and day 1 is the following day student should stay home. Student may return on day 2.

● A severe cough, and/or chest congestion, a thick or constant nasal discharge, and/or sneezing

● Chills or general body discomfort that will interfere with your child’s ability to participate in his/her school day

● 12 hours after the start of antibiotics if diagnosed with strep throat, 24 hours fever-free ● A severe earache with or without fever

● Pink eye with discharge until 24 hours after the start of antibiotic eye drops if diagnosed as bacterial; student must be assessed by a medical provider with return to school instructions.

● Impetigo: Blister-like lesions that develop into crusted sores, generally located around the mouth and nose. Your child must remain home until receiving antibiotics for 24 hours and the sores are no longer draining.

● Ringworm: A fungal infection that causes a flat, red ring-shaped rash which may itch or burn. Your child should remain home until receiving 24 hours of anti-fungal treatment. Lesions are to remain covered in school.

● Chicken Pox: Even if your child has received the chickenpox vaccine, there is still a slight chance he/she may get a mild case. Your child must remain at home until all blisters have scabbed over, generally 5 to 7 days.

 

THESE GUIDELINES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. LOCAL AND STATE DISEASE

TRANSMISSION RATES WILL BE CONSIDERED WHEN MODIFYING GUIDELINES.

A child's ability to learn and perform in school can depend on how they feel physically. Keeping your child home when he/she is ill not only prevents the spread of illness in the school community, but allows your child an opportunity to rest and recover.

Please contact the school nurse with any questions or concerns. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.Please be sure that the school has current phone contact information for you and your emergency contacts. If your child becomes sick at school, please have arrangements for your child to be picked up within 30 minutes. Sick children will not be permitted to ride the bus home.

These guidelines are subject to change based on recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the local and state departments of public health.

Norwalk Public Schools Health Services, Revised 8/2020, updated 3/2023, 1/2025, 3/2025