A child who is sick will not be able to perform well in school and is likely to spread the illness to other children and staff. We suggest making a plan for childcare ahead of time so you will not be caught without a comforting place for your child to stay if he/she is ill.

When is my child sick enough to stay home from school? This is not always an easy question to answer. We hope that the tips below can help. Our school policy states that you should NOT send your child to school if he/she has:

Had an abnormal temperature in the past 24 hours: 100 degrees or above orally or 101 degrees or above rectal
Been vomiting in the past 24 hours
Had diarrhea in the past 24 hours
A sore throat and waiting for strep culture
Been diagnosed with an infection (i.e. pneumonia, bronchitis, strep, scarlet fever). The child must have been taking an antibiotic for at least 24 hours prior to returning to school.
A bad cold with a very runny nose or bad cough (especially if it has kept the child awake at night)
Head lice – until your child has been treated according to the doctor’s instruction.

If your child becomes ill at school and the school nurse feels that the child is too sick to benefit from school or is contagious to other children, you will be called to come and take him/her home. It is essential that we have a phone number where you can be contacted during the day and an emergency number in the event you cannot be reached.

Please call Southgate’s health office if you have any questions or concerns. Hopefully, with your help, we can make the school year a healthy one for all of our students.

Thank you.

Andrea Robinson, Nurse

Southgate Elementary