Health Procedures/Illnesses

It is often difficult for parents to know whether their children are too sick to attend school. For their own well-being, as well as for that of their classmates, below are the general guidelines.

Your child should be kept home if he/she has any of the following:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Fever - measured orally at 100°F or above
• Severe Cold Symptoms - constant cough, sneezing or nasal drainage
• Flu - fever accompanied by body aches
• Rash of Unknown Origin*
• Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)**
• Strep Throat 

*Rashes of unknown origin require a physician’s note indicating the diagnosis and releasing your child to return to school.

**Students with conjunctivitis (pink eye) and strep throat may return to school after 24 hours or more of taking physician prescribed medication.

This list is not comprehensive. If at any time your child is not well, it is advised that you keep him/her home. Please keep in mind that these guidelines are to protect all students and staff members.  When your child displays the above symptoms, he/she will be sent home from school.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the health office.

Instructions from Attending Physician

You must provide the health office with written instructions from the student’s attending physician stating limitations and/or instructions for care while at school when your child:

• Returns to school with a cast, crutches, wheelchair, etc.
• Returns after a serious illness requiring 3 days or more absence from school, a surgical procedure, or overnight hospitalization.
• Is to be excused from physical education or sports activities for more than 3 days in a row.

Taking Medicine at School

If a doctor requires your child to take prescribed medication or over-the-counter medicines, it is necessary that you follow these steps:

• Submit a written request that the school administer the medicine.
• Submit a written statement from the doctor with the method of administering, the amount, and time schedule for the medicine.
• Label the medicine with the child’s name, dosage, frequency, doctor’s name, and the doctor’s phone number. Please note the medicine must be in the original container. 

Inhalers at School

If your child has asthma, it is strongly recommended that an inhaler be kept at school for your child in the event of an emergency. Elementary students generally need adult supervision when using their inhalers, but may carry an inhaler under special circumstances with approval of the MBUSD nurse. It is recommended that these students also keep a backup inhaler in the health office. Please encourage your child to communicate with the teacher when he/she is experiencing asthma symptoms so that the medication can be administered in a timely manner.

Staying Inside for Health Reasons

Children who must stay indoors during any normal out-of-doors period must have the approval of the nurse or a signed note from the parent. Students must have a doctor’s note for a physical education program release or for prolonged periods of indoor confinement.