IS MY STUDENT WELL ENOUGH TO GO TO SCHOOL?

This is the time of year when we begin to see an increase in illnesses.  There can be an increase in respiratory and stomach related infections.  Please review the basic guidelines below, which can also be found on our Cobb County website.  By following these basic guidelines, we can all help prevent the spread of infection.  Thank you

1. Diarrhea/Watery Stools:
    a. Students will be sent home from school for:
        (1) More than two episodes of diarrhea occurring during a school
              day.
        (2) One episode of diarrhea if other symptoms are present
              (e.g. fever, abdominal discomfort, vomiting, etc.)
        (3) Soiling themselves or their clothing.
    b. Children may return to school 24 hours after the last diarrhea
        stool if they feel well and do not have a temperature over 99.5° F
        without taking a fever-reducing medication such as Tylenol.

2. Vomiting:
    a. Children will be sent home from school for:
        (1) More than one episode of vomiting occurring during a school
             day.
        (2) One episode of vomiting if other symptoms are present
             (e.g. fever, abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, etc.).
        (3) Soiling themselves or their clothing.
    b. Students may return to school 24 hours after the last vomiting
        episode.

3. Fever (Normal oral temperature is 98.6 degrees F):
    a. Low-grade (Oral temperature 99.5 to 100.9 degrees F):
        (1) The school nurse will notify the parent/guardian of students
              with low-grade fever.
        (2) Students with low-grade fever may remain in school if no
             other symptoms are present.
        (3) Students will be sent home from school with low-grade fever if
             other symptoms (e.g. cough, sore throat, headache, abdominal
             discomfort, etc.) are present.
    b. High-grade:
        (1) Oral temperature of 101 degrees F or above:
             (a) Students will be sent home from school for a high-grade
                   fever.
             (b) Students may not return to school until free of fever for 24
                   hours.
             (c) Students will not be dismissed to the bus with a high-grade
                  fever.
        (2) Oral temperature of 104 degrees F or above:
             (a) The school nurse will institute measures to bring down the
                  child’s temperature:
                  1) Allow student to lie down on cot.
                  2) Ask/assist student to remove outer layers of clothing,
                      such as a jacket, sweater, second shirt, and shoes.
                  3) Do not place blanket on student.
                  4) Apply cool washcloth or towel to student’s forehead and
                      arm pits (if area is accessible). Keep cloths cool and
                      damp.
                  5) Offer sips of cool water only if student is not vomiting
                      and is free of abdominal pains.
             (b) The parent/guardian will be notified immediately.
             (c) The school nurse will initiate the school’s Emergency
                  Management Plan if the parent/guardian is unable to arrive
                  at school within fifteen minutes to pick up their student.
                  (See Section E of Rule JLC)
             (d) The school nurse will notify school administrator that 911
                   has been called.

4. Drainage:
    a. It is not necessary to exclude every student from school who has
        drainage from the nose, eye, ear or open sores.
    b. Exclusion from school will be at the discretion of the school nurse,
        and/or principal or designee based on the following criteria:
        (1) Color of discharge
        (2) Child’s personal hygiene skills and need for assistance
        (3) Classroom setting
        (4) Child’s developmental level