Sick/Absent FAQ: This page contains answers to common questions of students and parents.

1. If my child has a fever, can I give them meds and send them to school?
2. My child was throwing up last night-can they go to school today?
3. Can I send medicine to school with my child?
4. Can the nurse give presciption medications during the day?
5. Can my child carry his asthma inhaler in his backpack?
6. Do I have to call the nurse if my child will be absent?
7. My child has strep throat. When can they return to school?
8. My child has a broken bone. What information does the nurse need?

If my child has a fever, can I give them meds and send them to school?

No.  Children with a fever >100.4 without medication should remain  home.  
They need to be "fever free" without having taken tylenol or ibuprofen 
(Motrin, Advil) for 24 hours before returning to school.

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My child was throwing up last night-can they go to school today?

No. A child should be "vomit free" for 24 hours and able to tolerate a 
regular diet for 24 hours before returning to school.If your child is sent 
home with vomiting from school, they should not be in school the next day.

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Can I send medicine to school with my child?

No.  District policy states children are not allowed to transport medicine of 
any kind, even over the counter medications.  Medicine needs to be 
transported to the school by an adult and given directly to the office or the 
school nurse. DO NOT bring the individual pills in a baggie.  They need to be 
in the appropriate package- either a labeled pharmacy bottle or a box. If an 
over the counter medication, it needs to be in the original box or package.

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Can the nurse give presciption medications during the day?

Some medications can be given at school.  The parent will need to bring the 
medication to school in a pharmacy prepared bottle.  The nurse will have the 
proper paper work for the parent to sign.  Parents should alert the pharmacy 
that an extra bottle is needed for the medication that will be dispensed at 
school.  
Parents will leave only the amount of medication the child will need at 
school, for the full time it is prescribed, with the school nurse.  Most 
schedules for prescription medications can be given at home around the school 
day.

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Can my child carry his asthma inhaler in his backpack?

Yes, by law they can.  But within that law are guidelines.  Doctors should 
complete a state supplied asthma plan that gives medical guidelines for 
individual students.  On this form is a place for the doctor 
to note whether or not a child is able to demonstrate proper use of the 
inhaler. **Please send in a spacer, if prescribed, with the inhaler.** THE 
INHALER NEEDS TO BE LABELED WITH THE PHARMACY LABEL ON THE OUTER PLASTIC 
HOLDER OF THE CANISTER. THE PHARMACY CAN DO THIS FOR YOU- PLEASE ASK. Parents 
also need to complete a medication permission form with the school nurse.

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Do I have to call the nurse if my child will be absent?

You do have to notify the school any time your child will not be in school.  
You may leave a message for the nurse if you would like and the office can 
forward you to my extension.  
You can call the school number 384-4010, or 384-7010 to leave message. My 
extension is 106. It is nice to have the reason your child is absent as 
sometimes it identifies a trend within a grade or classroom.

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My child has strep throat. When can they return to school?

Your child needs to be on antibiotics for a full 24 hours before returning to 
school. Many times a physician will tell you to "double up" or "squeeze in" 
all 3 doses of meds (if it is a "3 times a day medication")so your child can 
return to school. The district policy states "a child must be on antibiotics 
for a full 24 hours prior to returning to school."  I do enforce this policy 
for the health of all our students.

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My child has a broken bone. What information does the nurse need?

Any time a child is impaired, whether it be a broken arm, or sprained ankle, 
the nurse should be notified.  Modifications may be needed for your child for 
transportation, school work, gym, etc.  A doctor's note that states the need 
for crutches, for example, can allow a child to use the elevator instead of 
the stairs.  If a child has a cast or splint on their writing arm, they may 
need assistance with classwork (writing.  Please provide the nurse with 
information regarding your child's injury, as well as any restrictions that 
they may have, and any accomodations that are needed.  I do not encourage the 
use of wraps or splints without a doctor's note.

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