The health and well-being of all students is a top priority. The following guidelines can help you decide when to keep your child home from school.

Stomachache, Vomiting, or Diarrhea

• Keep your child home until they are symptom-free for 24 hours and can tolerate food and fluids.

• Contact your physician if symptoms persist or your child shows signs of dehydration (dry mouth, no tears, sunken eyes, urinating fewer than 4 times in 24 hours).

• Encourage good hand washing practices.

Earache

• Consult your child’s physician. They will determine the need for antibiotics or pain relievers.

• Your child may attend school if they are comfortable and symptoms are manageable.

Toothache

• Seek advice from a dentist.

• Your child may attend school if they can manage the pain and function in the classroom.

Headache

• Keep your child home if the headache is severe and unrelieved by medication.

• Consult your physician if headaches persist.

Fever

• A fever of 100°F or higher means your child should stay home.

• Your child may return to school only after being fever-free for 24 hours without medication (Tylenol, Ibuprofen, etc.).

Cold or Sore Throat

• Children may attend school if they have no fever and can manage cough, sneezing, and nasal drainage.

• A sore throat with fever and swollen glands may be strep throat. Contact your physician.

• Children with strep throat may return to school after 24 hours of antibiotics.

Flu

• Children with flu symptoms (fever, chills, cough, sore throat, headache, body aches) should stay home.

• Contact your child’s physician for evaluation and care.

Rash or Hives

• Rashes may be signs of viral illness or allergic reactions.

• Consult your physician before returning to school, especially if the rash is unusual or accompanied by a fever.

• Hives can be life-threatening if symptoms such as throat tightness, difficulty breathing, or facial swelling occur — call 911 immediately.

Chicken Pox

• Keep your child home until fever is gone, all pox are scabbed, and no new ones are appearing (usually 7–10 days).

• Notify the school nurse and provide a physician’s note verifying the illness.

Head Lice

• Students must be free of lice and nits before returning to school.

• Peru CSD enforces a “NO NIT” policy. The school nurse’s decision will override the physician or parent’s opinion.

Ringworm

• Students may attend school if the area is covered.

• Exclude from contact sports until treated (with physician-prescribed or over-the-counter medication).

• Wrestlers Only: Must provide written documentation from a medical provider stating the condition is not contagious. Forms available from school nurse, AD, or coach.

Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis)

• If the eye is red, itchy, and producing a yellow/green discharge, consult your physician.

• Students may return to school after 24 hours of treatment with drops or ointment.

• Practice good hygiene—use separate towels/washcloths and wash hands frequently.

Absent for Reasons Other Than Illness

• Avoid unnecessary absences. Time away from school for non-illness reasons may affect your child’s academic progress and work habits.

Questions?
Please reach out to your child’s school nurse for more information or clarification. Working together, we can help keep our school community healthy!