Sick/Absent FAQ: This page contains answers to common questions of students and parents.
- If my child needs medication at school what do I need to do?
- Should my child come to school with a rash?
- Can my child who has a cast play outside?
- What happens if my child has a fever in school?
- How soon can I send my child to school if they have been sick?
- What screenings are done in elementary school?
- How often do I need to provide a copy of my child's physical exam?
- What immunizations does my child need to enter kindergarten?
- What do you recommend for sick children?
If my child needs medication at school what do I need to do?
The nurse will need written orders with instructions for dispensing
medication from the child's doctor. Written consent from the
parent/guardian. The medication must be brought to the clinic by an adult
and be in the original container. The prescription label must have the name
of the child, the name of the doctor, the name and strength of the
medication, the dosage, and the time the medication is to be given.
Should my child come to school with a rash?
Children with undiagnosed rashes will not be allowed in school. Before
returning to school the student needs to see his/her health care
provider/doctor and obtain a note from him/her stating that the child is no
longer contagious.
Can my child who has a cast play outside?
Students with fractures, casts, or stitches are not allowed out for recess
or to participate in gym. Please bring in a note from your doctor stating
when it is safe for your child to resume normal activity.
What happens if my child has a fever in school?
Students with a fever of 100 or more will be sent home.
How soon can I send my child to school if they have been sick?
Children with vomiting or diarrhea should be kept home until they have been
without symptoms for at least 12 hours.
What screenings are done in elementary school?
Heights and weights are measured throughout a student's school career.
Vision and hearing screening are performed on children according to the
state regulations. Postural screening is done on all 5th grade students.
How often do I need to provide a copy of my child's physical exam?
Physical exams are required for all entering kindergarten students as well
as those students entering the Chicopee School System. Students with
complex health needs should provide the nurse with a copy of the child's
yearly exam.
What immunizations does my child need to enter kindergarten?
3 doses of Hep B, 5 doses of Dtap/Dtp, 4 doses of Polio, 2 doses of MMR, and
1 dose of Varicella
What do you recommend for sick children?
There are times when your child should remain at home for his/her own
welfare. The following guidelines are used to dismiss children from school,
and may be used to determine when your child should stay home.
When he/she has a contagious illness: flu, strep throat, etc. If the doctor
places your child on medication he/she must be on the medication for 24
hours before returning to school.
When your child has an undiagnosed fever or rash. If your child has chicken
pox he/she must remain home until the lesions have scabbed over and no new
ones have appeared.
When your child has a fever over 100 in the past 24 hours
When his/her eyes are red, itchy, and/or there is drainage from them
If your child has head lice. Once your child has been treated for head
lice, you need to bring your child to the school nurse with the empty
product container that you used. The school nurse will recheck your child's
head and as long as the situation is improved and there are no live lice,
your child may remain in school.
When your child has been vomiting through the night or in the morning before
school
If your child has been diagnosed with a communicable disease, ie chicken
pox, he/she must remain home for the time period determined by your
pediatrician
Please call me if you have any questions about when to keep your child home
from school