Student Health and Symptom Guidelines
Regular school attendance directly contributes to student achievement. Students are encouraged to attend school when feeling well enough to attend and participate in learning activities. Students are also advised to stay home when necessary. The guidelines below will help parents and students know when students are able to attend school.
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Sign / Symptom
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When to Stay Home
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When to Return to School
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Fever
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Temperature of 100.4 degrees or more within the last 24 hours.
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When the student is fever free for 24 hours without using fever reducing medications (e.g., Tylenol®, Advil®, Motrin®)
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Vomiting
Diarrhea
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Vomited within the last 24 hours.
Diarrhea within the last 24 hours.
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May return to school 24 hours after the last episode of vomiting and/or diarrhea, as long as no fever is present
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Cough / Cold / Flu Symptoms (runny/stuffy nose, sore throat, sneezing, congestion, body aches, and/or cough)
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If symptoms are accompanied with fever, difficulty breathing, persistent, severe cough (cannot catch breath after coughing or interferes with class participation), or persistent runny nose that interferes with class participation.
Wheezing or cough that is uncontrolled by medications that the school is authorized to administer.
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Once cough has improved and is not disruptive to class, no difficulty breathing, runny nose is manageable and not disruptive to class participation, and fever free for 24 hours.
If the student’s symptoms are due to asthma, ensure the school has authorization to administer that medication and is given an asthma action plan. Paperwork can be found on the OVSD website or at your school’s health office.
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Rash or Itching
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Oozing, open wound or infection that cannot be covered and is in an area that might come in contact with others.
Any unexplained rash, rapidly spreading rash, or any concern for contagiousness.
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Rash has healed OR has a note from health care provider stating the student’s condition is not contagious.
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Eye Irritation, Pink Eye, or Eye Drainage
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Red or pink appearance to the white of the eye with yellow or green discharge.
Crust to the eyelashes/eyelid, pain/discomfort that is intolerable, or any vision problems.
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No visible eye discharge, no problems with vision, if pain or discomfort is present, must be tolerable, OR has a note from health care provider stating the student’s condition is not contagious.
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Lice or Nits
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If live lice are identified at school, the student’s guardian will be contacted to request pick up and treatment at the earliest convenience.
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May return the next day once treatment is completed and no active head lice are detected. The affected student must be checked in the health office before returning to class. Please notify the school if your student is affected with lice. Their privacy will be maintained.
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This list is not a comprehensive list of signs and symptoms. If a child’s health needs disrupt school staff's ability to teach and care for other students, that child should remain at home. If you don’t know whether to send your child to school or have specific concerns regarding your child’s health, contact your child’s health care provider, local urgent care, or the school nurse.
When to Come to School
A child should attend school if they are generally healthy and well. They should be able to participate in their usual day-to-day activities. Note that in most situations, a health-care provider’s note is not needed to return to school but may be requested by the school.
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Children may also avoid school due to anxiety (symptoms may include decreased appetite, feeling tired, stomachache, headache etc.). If you are worried that your child may be suffering from anxiety, talk with your teacher, the school nurse, social worker or other school staff to discuss the challenge and identify what can help your child stay in school.
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References
CDPH.CA.GOV – Symptom Guidance
NASN- Fact Sheet: When is sick too sick for school? When-Is-Sick-Too-Sick-092524.pdf
When Students or Staff are Sick | Children & School Preparedness | CDC
