St. Clair County Schools Health Services
Updated student/parent information is of the utmost importance when an emergency occurs. So, plan ahead. Please e-mail , or send in writing to your school nurse above your updated home, work, and cell phone numbers, emergency contacts and contact phone numbers, and updated health/medical conditions. If you child develops a newly diagnosed medical condition, please make sure you notify you child’s nurse, so they may best care for them.

Thank you!

 Helpful Information

Attention: Here are some guidelines for deciding whether your child is sick enough to stay home.

Fever: If your temperature is 100.5 degrees F or higher, then stay home. Don't return to your office or school until 24 hours after your fever has subsided. A fever is one of clearest signs of a contagious illness, and showing up at school or work will too easily result in passing on whatever you've got to others. If your child has a temperature of 100.5 or greater, you child will be sent home. This should be without Tylenol. Or other Fever aids.

Cough: If your cough brings up mucus or phlegm-type secretions, then stay home. Especially if it has color. A dry cough is OK for school. Regardless of what kind of cough you have, cover your mouth and keep your hands washed. Remember only cough drops with Pectin can be used at school without a medication form. Any medicated cough drops require a medication form signed by the parent.

Sore throat: If it hurts to swallow, breathe or speak, then stay home, or if your sore throat is accompanied by fever. If your voice is raspy or your throat is only slightly sore, then it's OK to show up at work or school. Cough drops may be helpful. Warm salt water gargles are the best treatment for sore throats.

Runny nose: If you must constantly blow your nose to keep it clear, then stay home. If it's only slightly stuffy, and you aren't having trouble breathing, then it's probably all right to be at work.

Earache: By itself, an earache won't pose a hazard to others unless you work in a job that requires balance (such as being a bus driver, a pilot or a school crossing guard.) But if an earache is accompanied by other symptoms of contagion, you'll need to stay home.

Vomiting: Stay home, of course. And stay home for an additional 24 hours once you have stopped vomiting.

Diarrhea: Similar to the guidelines for vomiting.

Rashes: Contagious rashes like pink eye require keeping your distance from others. Some rashes, like MRSA, can even be deadly if you give them to someone else. See your doctor to learn whether your rash requires you stay away from work or school. Your school nurse will send home your child for any undiagnosed rashes. If your child is itching and scratching to the point they cannot concentrate, ple

While having a sick kid is a hardship for most families, it is important that parents enact the Golden Rule (do unto others as you would have them do unto you) in that if you wouldn't want your son or daughter playing with a sick kid who exhibits certain illnesses, then the same holds true for them as well.
Providers and teachers report that families will often drop off a sick youth with a fever or who has just recently thrown up because of work arrangements. That creates not only a major health risk to all youngsters but is terribly unfair to the sick kid as well. Plus, recovery time is shorter with a sick patient who is given plenty of rest, and some good old' TLC Please keep them at home.