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Message from Monroe-Woodbury school nurses

Communications@mw.k12.ny.us

January 24, 2025

WHEN TO KEEP A CHILD HOME WITH ILLNESS 

It can be hard to know when to send children to school if they tell you that they do not feel well. Usually, the best place for them is in school, but there are some times when keeping them home to rest or call for an appointment with your health care provider is NECESSARY. 

Please keep your child home and/or contact your child’s doctor for: 

  • Fever greater than 100.4° OR 100° if your child is not able to focus in class

  • Vomiting and/or diarrhea within the last 24 hours 

  • Severe sore throat along with fever and feeling ill for more than 48 hours, or after exposure to Strep throat infection 

  • Honey-crusted sores around the nose or mouth or rash on other body parts

  • Large amounts of mucous (liquid) from their nose, with face pain or headache

  • Severe ear pain or fluid coming from the ear 

  • Severe headache, especially with fever

We are reminding all M-W families to please have arrangements in place for your child in the event they need to be picked up due to an illness or injury and to make sure your child’s school Main Office is aware.

Influenza (flu) and RSV are both respiratory viruses that usually circulate during the winter and generally affect younger children. Symptoms include: Runny nose • Decrease in appetite • Coughing • Sneezing • Fever • Wheezing.

Norovirus (Stomach virus/stomach flu) symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, headache and chills.

Please keep children home when they have a fever OR are ill with any RSV/flu AND Norovirus-like symptoms. They should remain home the next school day after the fever ends and should not come to school if they continue to run a fever greater than 100.4° without the use of fever-reducing medication.

If your child has a fever, it is not a good idea to give them medicine (like Tylenol or Advil) and send them to school. As soon as the medicine wears off, the fever may return and you will be called to pick up your child. 

If your child feels worse or does not get better in 1-2 days, call a healthcare provider (doctor) and do not send them to school. 

Please call your building's school nurse with any concerns or questions. We appreciate your cooperation in helping maintain a healthy learning environment for all students.