Skip to main content
Division
  1. Daily Routines
  2. Safety & Wellness
  3. Student Health
  4. When to Stay Home Sick

When to Stay Home Sick

When Should My Child Stay Home Sick?

When Should My Child Stay Home Sick?

Your child may go to school with a mild runny nose or cough, but keep your child home when they have:

  • Fever (100.0°F+) within the last 24 hours without taking ibuprofen or  or acetaminophen (Tylenol) 
  • Uncontrolled cough or nasal drainage
  • Diarrhea or vomiting within the last 24 hours

 

ThermometerOther reasons to stay home :

  • Red, crusty, or itchy and draining eyes
  • If the student has tested positive or been diagnosed with a respiratory virus such as flu, RSV, COVID, or pertussis (whooping cough)
  • If they have any other untreated contagious disease such as impetigo,  or conjunctivitis.

It's Safe to Return to School When

Staff and students can return to school when...

  • Overall symptoms are improving AND
    • No fever for 24 hours without taking ibuprofen or acetaminophen (Tylenol)
    • No vomiting or diarrhea in last 24 hours
  • For students, make sure your child is able to maintain concentration and manage in the school building for a whole school day and manage their respiratory secretions.

 

A Note about COVID:

Per the CDC (March 2024), staff and students should follow the guidelines for respiratory viruses when they test positive for COVID. CDC Respiratory Guidelines. Whenever you are returning to school or work after a respiratory virus, use additional prevention strategies such as masks, distancing, and improved ventilation. As a reminder, the City has improved ventilation practices at all schools.

 

Returning to school after extended illness or injury

 

Reporting Absences

Students

  • When a student is sick, please call or use ParentSquare to contact the school to report the absence. (For calls, use the school’s main telephone line or, at CHS, the attendance line is 245-2679.)
  • If you receive an absence notice in ParentSquare, you can click “Send Note to School,” enter the reason for the absence and click “Submit.”
  • For extended absences, other documentation may be required.

Contact

Rachel Rasnake
1562 Dairy Road
Charlottesville, VA 22903
(434) 245-2400
rasnakr1@charlottesvilleschools.org