When your child says, “I don’t feel well,” it can cause concern — and sometimes disrupt the day’s plans. While we are no longer monitoring for specific COVID-19 symptoms, many of the same signs remain good reasons to keep your child home.

Students who have had a fever of 100.0 degrees or higher, vomiting or diarrhea within the past 24 hours should stay home until they are symptom-free for a full 24 hours without the use of medication. Any unexplained rash is also a reason to remain home and consult your child’s health care provider.

But what about mild symptoms like a runny nose, cough or sore throat? You know your child best, so trust your judgment. Please keep in mind that masking symptoms with acetaminophen or cold medicine and sending a child to school is usually not in their best interest — or the best interest of those around them. Students often end up visiting the school nurse once the medication wears off.

When in doubt, consider keeping your child home to see how symptoms progress. If they worsen, it may be time to call your child’s primary health care provider. If by mid-morning your child is acting like themselves and feeling well without medication, you are welcome to bring them to school.

Please keep your child home — and staff members, stay home — if you are experiencing:

• fever
• vomiting
• diarrhea
• a persistent cough
• body aches
• generally feeling unwell
• a severe sore throat

The best way for all of us to stay healthy is for those who are ill to rest at home and for everyone to practice frequent, thorough handwashing. Thank you for your partnership in helping us keep our students and staff safe and well.