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When do you keep your child OUT of school (for being sick?)

lolclolc member
in School-Aged Children

This might seem like a no-brainer, but I always went by these rules of keeping a child out of school:

1. FEVERS. No school if fever has not been broken at LEAST 24 hours.

2. Stomach bugs of any kind!

Of course, I use my discretion if there is no fever but if my child appears sick.... but if they have just have a run-of-the-mill cold, I generally send them to school. If I kept my kids out of school every single time they had a slight sniffle or a cough, they'd be out a LOT during this time of year!

The reason I ask what other mothers do is because I got a note home from my son's teacher today stating "Please do not send your child to school sick." And I'm like.... ok, he has no fever, his nose is not running with all sorts of "colors" (it is runny, but it's clear) - he's not tired or achy, he has no headache or additional ailments... he's had a cough for a few days but he covers using the inside of his elbow.....

Sooo... would you keep your child out of school for a run-of-the-mill cold? Or if they had a runny nose/cough? What are your rules for deciding if your child goes to school or stays home?

 

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~L~
Mommy to 2 boys, ages 7 and 5 and a little girl who is 1.5
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Re: When do you keep your child OUT of school (for being sick?)

  • lolclolc member
    imageStarAnnice:

    1. Fever.  In fact, we're not allowed to send them back until they've been feverless for 24 hours.

    2. Anything contagious; pink eye, cold, etc.

    3. Infection; green snot, etc.

    I hate when people send their sick kids in and get my kid sick.  However, my kid has allergies that sometime mimic a cold (to those who don't know better), coughs and sneezes.  He also has a "nervous cough". 

    I hate it too! My son obviously picked this up from someone, probably at school. I have NEVER been "that" mother who sends her kid to school sick.  This is actually the first time I've ever been in a "gray-area" (as far as I'm concerned, anyway).  But colds can last for weeks! He's had this since Friday evening. Should I keep him out for 2 full weeks for a cold?? A full week? What's the protocol for this?

    My Pinterest
    ~L~
    Mommy to 2 boys, ages 7 and 5 and a little girl who is 1.5
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  • NewNameSameGameNewNameSameGame

    was the note JUST to you?  Or for everyone?  And if he WAS sick, then why didn't the teacher call you to come get him?  I don't understand?

    That said, our teacher sends out a weekly letter and about every 4th one or so are the reminders of when to keep a kid home.

    I definately keep home for the standard ones....my kids still love school, so its hard to keep them home when they feel sick.

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  • neverblushedneverblushed member

    I generally follow your same guidelines.  My son has seasonal allergies; every cold triggers the same allergy snot he'd have in April and May.  He may look and sound miserable (and he may be pretty miserable) but if I kept my kid home every time he had a runny nose, he'd miss 50 days a year.

    I have never gotten a direct request to not send my kid to school sick, but I've gotten "hints" from teachers in emails to the effect that "your DS seemed pretty miserable today!  We're hoping he feels better soon." 

    High School English teacher and mom of 2 kids:

    DD, born 9/06/00 -- 12th grade
    DS, born 8/25/04 -- 7th grade
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  • lolclolc member
    imageNewNameSameGame:

    was the note JUST to you?  Or for everyone?  And if he WAS sick, then why didn't the teacher call you to come get him?  I don't understand?

    That said, our teacher sends out a weekly letter and about every 4th one or so are the reminders of when to keep a kid home.

    I definately keep home for the standard ones....my kids still love school, so its hard to keep them home when they feel sick.

    Yup, it was just to me. I don't know why she didn't call. My guess would be that she has stricter guidelines than what school policy states and if she tried to have my son sent home the principal would probably tell her that there's no need because he falls within the guidelines of staying in school.

    I did end up keeping him out of school Tuesday... but to appease the teacher, not because I felt my son was sick and needed to be home. I kept a close eye on his cold the entire day. And yep.... *slight* runny nose (clear) and he coughed less than 5 times throughout the whole day. He was bouncing off the walls with energy and enthusiasm - not exactly the behavior of a "sick" kid.

    He's been in school the rest of the week and has been fine.

    My Pinterest
    ~L~
    Mommy to 2 boys, ages 7 and 5 and a little girl who is 1.5
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  • Angel284Angel284
    My daughter started kindergarten this year. Shes normally a very healthy child but since starting school shes been sick with one thing or another. If I kept her out every time shes had the sniffles or a cough she'd be spending more time at home then school. The only time she doesnt go is if she has a fever or really upset stomach.
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  • J&A2008J&A2008 member
    I think schools are being extra cautious, and it has gotten a little out of hand.  I got called during the first month of school because my fourth grader had a "fever" of 99.something.  I had to come pick him up.  He had no other symptoms and was completely fine. 
    Stay at home mom to a house of boys: two amazing stepsons, 12 and 9, and our 4 year old.
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