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 or irritated eyes, swollen eyelids, pus or crusting eyes - which may be pink eye

• Severe cold with sneezing, coughing, running nose, sore throat - especially if nasal drainage is thick or green/yellow in color

• Persistent cough / extreme congestion

• Any rash not diagnosed by a physician

• Earache (with or without drainage)

Do not send your child back to school until: 

• Temperature is normal without Tylenol / Ibuprofen for 24 hours

• No vomiting or diarrhea for 24 hours

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

• Breathing is comfortable without medication

• A note is received from the doctor stating that your child’s rash is not contagious

• The cough does not interfere with school functioning and your child is able to cover his/her mouth and nose when coughing

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 also required for any student with crutches, cast, sling, or a rash.