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Should I keep my child at home

When to Stay Home

Should I keep my child at home?

All absences will be unexcused unless your student has a note from a physician turned into your school’s office within five days of returning. These tips should not take the place of medical advice from your doctor or pediatrician. According to Moore Public School attendance policy, ten (10) unexcused absences per semester constitutes excessive and thereby may be reported to the District Attorney’s office.

Chicken Pox  Should you keep your child home from school?   Yes. Children with uncomplicated chicken pox may return on the sixth day after the onset of the rash or when the spots are all dried and crusted, whichever is longer.  

Conjunctivitis (pink eye)  Should you keep your child home from school?    Yes. It is very contagious. Students may return 24 hours after prescription treatment is started.   

Cough  Should you keep your child home from school?   Yes. Keep your child home if the cough is persistent and productive, coupled with thick or constant nasal drainage.

Diarrhea Should you keep your child home from school?   Yes. Students should be kept home for 24 hours after the last diarrhea episode without using any medicine.   

Fever Should you keep your child home from school?   Yes. Students should stay home if their temperature is 100 degrees or more. Keep students home until fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-controlling medicine.    

Head Lice  Should you keep your child home from school?   Yes. Students must get a note from the health department before returning to school. According to the handbook, the first two days after head lice is discovered at school will be excused. All absences after 48 hours are unexcused.

Impetigo Should you keep your child home from school?   Yes. Students may return to school 24 hours after treatment starts. Sores should be covered when the student returns to school.   

Staph/ MRSA infections Should you keep your child home from school?   Yes. Staph/ MRSA is highly contagious. A note from a physician that gives the return date for the student is necessary to return to school.  

Strep Throat Should you keep your child home from school?   Yes.  Students must have completed 24 hours of antibiotic treatment before returning to school.  

Vomiting Should you keep your child home from school?   Yes. Students should be kept home for 24 hours after the last vomiting episode without using any medicine.  

Rashes Should I keep my child at home?   Maybe. Please contact your healthcare provider to ensure that the rash is not a sign of something contagious. If your child has a fever with a rash, you should keep your child at home. For the protection of the other students and employees, your child will be sent home if any of these symptoms, conditions, or illnesses are found or suspected during the school day. Please make sure your child’s school has the current phone numbers for you.  

Cold, with mild symptoms such as stuffy nose with clear drainage, sneezing, mild cough Should you keep your child home from school?   No. Your child may attend school if he can participate in school activities.  

Fifth Disease Should you keep your child home from school?   No. By the time the rash appears, children are no longer contagious and do not need to stay home.   

Poison Ivy Should you keep your child home from school?   No. Poison ivy is not contagious, so students do not need to stay home. Open lesions should be covered when students come to school.

Ringworm Should you keep your child home from school?   No. Students may come to school as long as the area being treated is not on the head/ face.  The treated area(s) must remain covered when the student is at school. If the area is on the head/ face, a note from a physician is required to return to school.  

Medications Per Moore Public School policy, all medications, prescriptions, and over-the-counter must have a written physician prescription, including the student’s name, name of the medication, dosage to be given, and how often to be given/ time to be given. All medications must be in the original container. A medication consent form must also be filled out and on file. If your child carries an inhaler, EpiPen, or insulin on their person at school, they must have written permission from you and their physician on file in the office. This must be updated yearly. All medication must be transported to and from the school office or other designated place by a parent/guardian.   

References: Oklahoma City-County Health Department fact sheets and Moore Public Schools Parent/ Student Handbook