Sick Day letter

Dear Parent or Guardian,

Your student has met criteria for our sick day policy. We ask that you please keep the school nurse informed of illness-related absences and/or COVID-19 diagnosis or exposure, and contact the Health Office for any questions at your child’s school.

Symptoms and conditions requiring absence from campus:

Infectious Disease Symptoms

• Fever or fever-like symptoms
  • Temperature above 100.4 F or with or without the presentation of fatigue/body aches/chills/rigors.
• Respiratory symptoms:
  • Cough, congestion, runny nose, sore throat, shortness of breath not appeared to be related to allergies or asthma.
• Gastrointestinal symptoms
  • Diarrhea, vomiting, or severe nausea.
• New unexplained loss of taste or smell
• Student reported or has been notified that they have been in close contact with a positive COVID-19 case 

Other Conditions:

1. Confirmed non-COVID viral infectious disease.   Example: influenza or rhinovirus
2. Contagious infections requiring antibiotic treatment.   Example: Strep throat or pink eye
3. Undiagnosed, new, and/or untreated skin rash or condition
4. Doctor’s note requiring an individualized plan of care to stay home due to medical concerns.

Procedure for Return to School 

Infectious Disease Symptoms

1. If presenting with symptoms, please test student for COVID-19 and/or provide doctor’s note for other treatment-specific guidelines. If you choose not to test student, student must stay home for 10 days minimum and return when symptom-free for 3 days.
2. If notified to self-quarantine due to a close exposure to a COVID + case, stay home and monitor symptoms for 14 days. Call the Vermont Department of Health coronavirus hotline 2-1-1 for specific guidance.
3. If NEGATIVE for COVID-19, please remain home for 24 hours symptom-free without the use of medication. Please reconsider testing if symptoms worsen.
4. If POSITIVE for COVID-19, student must stay home for 10 days minimum and return when symptom-free for 3 days OR provide two negative viral test results spaced at least 24 hours apart. 

Other Conditions:

1. If confirmed that student has non-COVID viral illness please provide a doctor’s note to confirm and student may return once 24 hours symptom-free without the use of medication.
2. After the first 24 hours of various antibiotic treatments for contagious infections (i.e. strep throat, pink eye, etc.)
3. Doctor’s note requiring an individualized plan of care to stay home due to medical concerns as specified.