Health Information

In the event that you are called by the school nurse to pick up you child, please pick them up within 60 minutes.

Please be sure to update your school nurse if there are changes in your child's medical condition so that we can best care for your child.

When should my child stay home from school?

Here are guidelines:

Fever - If your child has a fever above 100°F, they are to stay home until the fever has been down for 24  hours, without use of fever reducing medication.

Colds – There are no hard and fast rules about school attendance for a child who has a cold. If your child is not running a fever, it is best to use good judgment about staying at home. If your child is not up to 6 hours of school work, it might be best to let them rest for the first day or two of a cold. Treated or not, colds last 10-14 days and almost everyone gets one or more especially in the winter, indoor months. As with every contagious illness, hand washing is our best defense! NO sharing cups/spoons!

Vomiting - Please keep your child home if they should vomit at least two times in 24 hours due to illness.

Strep Throat – Strep throat is a bacterial illness caused by the bacteria streptococcus. Students must stay home until  antibiotic treatment has been given for 24 hours and they are fever free >24 hrs without fever reducing medication.

Chicken Pox – Chicken pox is a viral illness. Students must stay home for 7-10 days after eruption of blisters. Students are contagious prior to blisters appearance. If your child is running a fever 14-21 days post exposure, your child should remain home. All vesicles must have a dry scab before returning to school. Please remember, give Acetaminophen (Tylenol) only for chicken pox. DO NOT GIVE ASPIRIN
Impetigo – Impetigo is a contagious infection of the skin. Students should remain home until treatment has begun.

Diarrhea – There are no hard and fast rules about school attendance for the child who has diarrhea. If your child is not running a fever, it is best to use good judgment about staying at home. If your child is not up to 6 hours of school work, it might be best to let them rest at home where they are more comfortable.

Ringworm – Ringworm is a fungal infection on the skin and starts out as a scaly, red circular patch. Students may return to school once treatment has begun. The lesion must be covered during school time.

Pink Eye – Pink eye or conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the eyes. It can be caused by a bacterial, viral or fungal infection and can be highly contagious. Symptoms of infectious pink eye may include a redness in one or both eyes, watery or yellow mucus drainage and crusty deposits in the corner of the eye. They may experience some itching and/or discomfort.

It is important to call the doctor if pink eye is suspected to determine treatment. If diagnosed as conjunctivitis,  the student may return to school once 24hrs of antibiotic treatment has been received. Please encourage good hand washing with your child.

Head Lice – Head lice are tiny wingless insects. They live among human hairs and feed on blood from the scalp. Head lice are passed from person to person by direct contact or on shared objects (combs, towels, barrettes, headphones, etc). The most common symptom of infestation is intense itching. If live lice are present, it must be treated before coming to school and if noted during the school day your child will be sent home immediately. 

Check with your PCP for questions, and get reliable info at www.kidshealth.org.

THANK YOU for assisting us in keeping Newark Charter School a healthy place to work and learn!