• Sick Student Policy 

    Under no circumstances can a parent/guardian bring or send a sick student to school if the student shows any signs of illness (symptoms requiring removal of student from school) or is unable to participate in the normal routine and regular school day. In the event a student becomes ill and needs to be picked up, a parent/guardian will be called, and that parent/guardian is expected to pick the student up within one hour (60 minutes).  

    If a parent/guardian cannot be reached, or has not arrived within an hour, emergency contacts listed on the Emergency Contact Information form will be called to pick up that student. The parent/guardian should be provided with a completed Observation of Symptoms form (Attachment B-VI) 

     

    Symptoms Requiring Removal of Student from School:  

    • Fever: Fever is defined as having a temperature of 100.4°F or higher. A student needs to be fever free without the aid of any fever reducing substance for a minimum of 24 hours before returning to school.  
    • Diarrhea: Diarrhea is described as 2 or more stools within a 4-hour period that are either loose, runny, watery, and/or bloody, or if stool cannot be contained in the diaper/undergarment. A student needs to stay home from school until the diarrhea has stopped, without the aid of anti-diarrheal medication, for a minimum of 24 hours before returning to school.  
    • Actively vomiting. Students may return to school the next day if vomiting has resolved.  
    • Breathing trouble, hacking, or continuous coughing.  
    • Frequent scratching of body or scalp, live lice, rash, or any other spots that resemble childhood diseases.  
    • A student is irritable, continuously crying, or requires more attention than school staff can provide while ensuring the health, safety, or well-being of the other students.  

    Students returning to school from an absence are required to present a written explanatory excuse from their parent or legal guardian stating the cause for the absence. 

     

    A note from the student’s health care provider is needed when:  

    • the student has been absent for 3 or more consecutive days,  
    • the student has had surgery,  
    • the student is returning to school after hospitalization,  
    • the student has been under the doctor’s care for a significant illness, or  
    • the student is returning to school after being excluded because of a communicable disease, as outlined in Section E – Communicable Disease. 

    For the full Student Health Services Manual please visit the Student Health Services page: https://dcps.duvalschools.org/Domain/10121