Illness and First AiD

LUDLOW PUBLIC SCHOOLS HEALTH SERVICES

The school health offices are staffed full time to provide care to students who become injured or ill while at school. If further treatment is required or a student needs to go home, parents will be contacted.

Assessment of student illness or injury occurring during school hours is a significant part of school health services. Care is provided as needed in the health office. Parents/guardians are notified of any significant injuries or signs of illness that may require further observation, intervention, or follow up with the student’s primary care provider. In the event of an emergency, local EMS services will be activated.

Parents/guardians are responsible for transporting their children home when illness or injuries occur at school.  Illnesses or injuries that occur at home should be taken care of at home or by the student’s primary care provider.

Parents must have arrangements in place to take their child home or have a designated person who is available to do so. In the event of an emergency, 911 will be called, and student will be transported to the hospital via ambulance.

when to keep your child home

1.  A fever of 100 degrees or higher. A child should be fever free for 24 hours before returning to school and not taking any fever reducing medications.

2.  Diarrhea or vomiting, students can return to school when they have been free of both for 24 hours.

3.  Rash that could be contagious; please have any rash checked by your pediatrician.

4.  Physician diagnosed strep throat, or bacterial conjunctivitis – students must stay home from school until they have been on antibiotics for 24 hours.

5.  Bad cold or flu when there is excessive nose drainage or constant coughing.

6.  Communicable diseases including but not limited to chicken pox, whooping cough (pertussis), meningitis, scabies or shigella.

7.  Pain should be taken seriously in young children.  Earaches, toothaches, and headaches should be evaluated by your child’s physician. 

Sending your child to school before he or she is completely well places them at risk for contracting other illnesses and also promotes the spread of illness to classmates and staff members.  If you have any questions regarding any of the above information, please contact your school nurse.