Illness or Injury Exclusion Criteria R758-1

Reasons for which a child may be sent home from school or for a parent to keep the child home from school.

1. Fever of 100 degrees F and over-exclude until student has been fever-free for at least 24 hours.

2. Conjunctivitis (pink eye), strep infections, ringworm, and impetigo are all infections and must be treated with medications for 24 hours before returning to school.  Please do not allow affected students back before this time so that other students are not infected unnecessarily.

3. Rash of unknown origin (especially if accompanied by a fever).

4. Head injury.

5. Sever coughing or difficulty breathing.

6. Colds-a child with thick or constant nasal discharge should remain home.

7. Diarrhea or vomiting-exclude until child has been symptom-free for at least 24 hours.

8. Stiff neck associated with a fever and/or recent injury.

9. Inadequate immunizations with known disease outbreak in school.

10.  Refer to the VDOH "Cummunicable Disease Reference Chart for School Personnel" for other exclusions/information

In 2006, the Virginia Assembly passed a law requiring all sixth-grade students to have had a tetanus, diptheria, pertussis (Tdap) booster shot within the past five years in order to enroll in school this fall.  Some physicians will not give this shot to your child until age 11.  Without proof of this immunization or physician documentation of why your child can not get the shot, your child will not be able to enroll in school for the 2009-2010 school year. 

Please review your child's shot record.  If the last shot was administered more than five years from the beginning of the upcoming school year, please have this immunization done now if your child is 11.  If waiting until summer, please be aware that many doctor offices may be full and you might not be able to get an appointment in time.  This shot may be listed as T, TD, Dtap or Tdap.  Call your local health department or school nurse if you have questions. 

Shots may be obtained from your doctor, military clinics, or health department.  You can send in the documentation to the school nurse NOW.  If you choose to wait, you will need to take the documentation to your child's middle school over the summer.