*IMPORTANT* For COVID symptoms, (fever, cough, tiredness, sore throat, diarrhea, loss of taste/smell, or any respiratory issues not caused by another known diagnosis), COVID testing is recommended by the Yakima Health District. Rapid COVID tests are available at the school.

WHEN TO KEEP YOUR CHILD HOME FROM SCHOOL

It seems like there is always something going around when it comes to kids. Here are some guidelines to help you to know when to keep your child home from school: 

APPEARANCE/DISCOMFORT

If your child appears unusually tired, irritable, pale or has an unusual lack of appetite, you may want to consider not sending him or her to school. 

VOMITING/DIARRHEA

If your child has experienced vomiting and/or diarrhea during the night or in the morning before going to school, please do not send them to school. Your child should have had no diarrhea or vomiting for 24 hours before sending them back to school. 

EYES 

We understand that eyes are sometimes swollen and irritated by allergens or virus. Because of the extremely contagious nature of Bacterial Pink Eye you are asked to consult with your doctor before sending your child to school with these symptoms: Thick mucus or pus draining from the eye, or if eye is red, puffy, itchy and/or painful. Your child can attend school 24 hours after starting medical treatment for bacterial Pink Eye. 

FEVER 

Temperature of 100° or higher is an indication that your child could be contagious. Giving a child Tylenol or Ibuprofen will bring the temperature down, and make them more comfortable, but will not prevent them from passing their illness on to classmates. Your child must have no fever for 24 hours, without fever reducing medications, before sending them back to school. 

RASH 

A body rash, especially with fever, itching, and open and/or draining sores indicates something contagious. Keep the child home until the rash disappears or have the child evaluated by a doctor.

SEVERE SORE THROAT/COUGH 

If your child has a fever and/or swollen glands in the neck, he or she may be contagious and should not be in school. In addition, a frequent, severe cough can be a distraction to the class. 

OTHER ILLNESSES

If your child has been diagnosed by your healthcare provider, with a contagious illness, please notify the school as soon as possible. (Examples: chicken pox, pink eye, flu, whooping cough, MRSA, etc…) 

UPDATE HEALTH CARE RECORDS AT SCHOOL

Be sure to update health care records at school if your child has newly acquired allergies or has an illness that the school nurse should be aware of. Our goal is to keep all of our children as safe and healthy as possible. It is only with your help that we are able to accomplish this. 

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE CONTACT THE NURSE:

Suzie Barnes
sbarnes@uniongap.org
509-248-3966  x311

For disease specific information, refer to the Yakima Health District Guidelines:

When To Keep Your Child Home (English) When To Keep Your Child Home (Spanish)