Each health office in District 161 is staffed by a full-time nurse. Every nurse is trained in first aid, CPR, and the use of an Automated External Defibrillator [AED]. The role of the school nurse is to promote the physical, emotional, and social well-being of students by providing comprehensive health services.

Please monitor your child for any signs of illness each morning.  If your child exhibits any of the signs listed below, please keep them at home.  Students should be symptom-free for 24 hours, without medication, before returning to school.

When should a child stay home from school?

• Fever of 100.4 degrees or higher

• Nausea, vomiting, and / or diarrhea

• White patches on the tonsils

• Red, itchy, painful, or irritated eyes, swollen eyelids, yellow or green discharge or crusting eyes - which could indicate any eye infection such as pink eye

• Severe cold with sneezing, coughing, running nose with thick nasal drainge or yellow/green in color, sore throat

• Persistent cough / extreme congestion / difficulty breathing or wheezing

• Any rash not diagnosed by a physician

• Earache (with or without drainage)

• Too tired, irritable, or weak to participate in learning

Do not send your child back to school until: 

• Fever free for 24 hours without any fever-reducing medication such as Tylenol or ibuprofen

• No vomiting or diarrhea for 24 hours

• On antibiotics for atleast 24 hours for strep throat, pink eye, or impetigo

• Breathing is regular and comfortable without medication

• Mild symptoms such as a runny nose or a cough do not interfere with school functioning, learning, or participation

When to get a doctors note:

A doctor’s note is necessary when your child has been absent for 5 consecutive days or returns to school after recovering from certain illnesses like measles, rubella, strep throat, scarlet fever, hepatitis, or any other serious or long-term condition.  The note should specify any necessary restrictions and the duration.  A note is required for any student with crutches, cast, or sling.   A note is also required from the doctor stating that your child's rash is not contagious.