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When you hear, "Mom, (or Dad), I'm too sick to go to school," should you keep your child home?    

Guidelines to consider when sending your child to school:

Children should be free of fever, vomiting or diarrhea (without the use of medication) for 24 hours before attending school. A temperature of 100 F by mouth or 99 F under the arm is considered a fever.

• A rash or open sores(s) that appears infected needs to be evaluated by a physician. A doctor’s note clearing the child’s return to school is required.

• Keep your child home if cold symptoms, such as a constant cough, are serious enough to interfere with your child’s ability to keep up with the school day.

• If a diagnosis of a communicable disease is made requiring treatment with an antibiotic, your student should remain home until treated with the medication for a full 24 hours.  Please call us, as explained below.

Communicable Disease: Please call the school if your child has or is being treated for any childhood or communicable disease such as strep throat, scarlet fever, head lice, pink eye, ringworm, chicken pox, fifth’s disease, acute gastroenteritis or influenza.  When your child is ill and you are calling his or her absence into the school, we are required by the DuPage County Health Department to ask whether symptoms include a fever, cough, or sore throat.  Thank you for your help in keeping our school a healthy school!

Staying Healthy:  During the Middle School years, your child should be taking over responsibility for his or her health habits, but parents still need to monitor and set the boundaries in the areas of sleep, activity, and nutrition.  Don't underestimate the importance of a good night's sleep for your student or for yourself!

Truancy Guidelines:  The Regional Office of Education (ROE) has adopted more strict guidelines for truancy, now considering a student truant if he or she is absent without valid cause for 5% or more of school attendance days.  The ROE is becoming more active in supporting parents of children who are refusing to go to school.  Please let us help you if your student's before-school illness is becoming an issue for your family.  Contact your student's grade level counselor, or call the school and ask to speak with Mrs. Ptak.