Sick Day Guidance: When to Keep Your Child Home From School

When Should I Keep My Child Home?

Everyone gets sick now and then and needs to stay home from school or work. Deciding when a child should stay home is sometimes difficult. However, if a child misses too much school, learning time is lost, and opportunities are missed. BCPS wants to work with you to help minimize the number of days your student is absent from school. 

To assist parents/caregivers in making a determination about when to keep a student home from school, below are some common situations and guidance about school attendance. This general guidance applies to children who are between the ages of 5 and 18 years old; recommendations may be different for infants or younger children. Parents/guardians should talk with their child’s doctor or healthcare provider if they are unsure if their child should stay home from school. The list is designed to be a guide and does not replace medical or healthcare guidance. This information is based on recommended guidelines from the Virginia Department of Health, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and the American Academy of Pediatrics

Symptom or Illness

Should I keep my child home?

Chronic illnesses

(Asthma, Diabetes, Epilepsy, etc.)

No - As long as your child’s symptoms are controlled, your child should attend school. School personnel are trained to assist children with chronic illnesses and related healthcare requirements. Make sure the school nurse is aware of your child’s condition.

Cold Symptoms

Symptoms usually come on gradually: stuffy/runny nose, sneezing, mild cough

No - If your child is able to participate in school activities, they should attend school.

Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)

Pink or red eye with swelling of the eyelids and eye discharge. Eyelids may be matted shut after sleep. May involve one or both eyes.

Yes - If your child has symptoms, please keep them home until symptoms resolve or they are cleared to return by a healthcare provider.

COVID-19

Fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, loss of taste/smell, sore throat, tiredness, muscle aches, runny nose/congestion, diarrhea, nausea/vomiting, headaches

Yes - Keep your student home and away from others until their symptoms are improving AND they are fever-free for 24 hours without medication. See Respiratory Virus Guidance for additional information.

Diarrhea

Loose or watery stools that occur more frequently than usual. May mean illness but it can also be caused by food or medication.

Yes - If your child has diarrhea with other signs of illness such as fever or vomiting, keep your child home until diarrhea has stopped for 24 hours. If your child also has abdominal pain, fever or vomiting, consult a healthcare provider.

Fever

Yes - If your child has a fever of more than 100.4° Fahrenheit, keep them home until they have been fever-free for 24 hours without taking fever-reducing medication and are able to participate in class. Contact a healthcare provider for further guidance.

Flu

Symptoms usually come on suddenly: fever, cough, headaches, body aches

Yes - Keep your child at home until they are fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication and able to participate in the school day. A healthcare provider can test to determine if your child has the flu.

Head Lice

No - Your child can be in school after the initial treatment with lice shampoo. Report all cases of head lice to the school nurse. See Lice Guidelines for additional information.

Menstruation (Periods)

No - In most cases, menstruation and menstruation-related symptoms can be managed, and your child should attend school. If severe pain is interfering with your child attending school, consult with a healthcare provider.

New Skin Rash

New rash of unknown origin, that has blisters, draining, or is painful. Or if the rash is accompanied with fever. Or if the rash spreads to multiple areas on the body.

Yes - Consult with a healthcare provider to identify required treatment. Keep your child home until cleared by a healthcare provider or until the rash is no longer draining or painful or blisters have crusted over.

Some skin rashes require starting treatment prior to returning to school.

Seasonal Allergies

No - Students with seasonal allergies can participate in class and should attend school.

Strep Throat

Sudden onset of sore throat, fever, red and swollen tonsils

Yes - Keep your child home for the first 12 hours after an antibiotic is begun and while they have a fever. Your child may return to school when they have completed at least 12 hours of antibiotic use AND are fever-free for 24 hours and symptoms are improving.

Vomiting

Child has vomited two or more times in a 24-hour period. Vomiting can have many causes and may not always be from illness.

Yes - Keep your child home if they have vomited 2 or more times in a 24-hour period or if they also have diarrhea or fever. Keep your child home until the vomiting has stopped for 24 hours. Contact a healthcare provider if vomiting continues.

Support Your Child’s School Attendance and Keep the School Informed

Below is some additional guidance to aid your decision-making about school attendance and help keep the school informed of your student’s situation:

  • Ensure that your child comes to school every day unless an absence is necessary.  This will help your child succeed.

  • Make medical and dental appointments in the late afternoon so your child can attend as much of the school day as possible.

  • If your child must miss school, make sure you get his or her homework assignments and ensure that the work is completed and turned in.

  • Call the school as soon as you know your child will be absent and tell school staff why your child will be out and for how long.

  • Get a doctor’s note anytime your student has an appointment during the school day and give the note to the main office at the school or have the doctor’s office fax/email the note to the school..

  • If your child has a chronic health condition such as asthma, severe allergies, or diabetes, provide the school nurse with the appropriate action plan, medication, and supplies.

  • Keep an open line of communication with your school nurse and school staff. The more the school knows about your child’s health needs, the better prepared everyone will be to work together to support your child.

  • Reach out to the nurse at your child’s school with any health questions.

  • Make sure your child gets a good night's sleep. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, most younger children need 10-12 hours per night and adolescents (13-18 years of age) need 8-10 hours per night.

Report Absences


Must notify the school in a written, faxed, or emailed note within three (3) days of the student returning to school.  The written notification must contain the following:

  • the date the note is written;

  • the student’s full name;

  •  the reason(s) for the absence(s);

  •  the date(s) of the absence(s); and the parent’s or guardian’s signature (acceptable by email if  address can be verified by school) 


Resources

Aronson, S. and Shope, T. (Ed.). (2020). Managing Infectious Diseases in Child Care and Schools: A Quick Reference Guide, 5th edition. American Academy of Pediatrics. 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2019). The flu: A guide for parents. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, August 19). When students or staff are sick. Office of Readiness and Response.

Virginia Department of Health. (2023). Feeling sick? Comparing symptoms of respiratory illnesses and seasonal allergies. 

Virginia Department of Health. (2024). VDH Communicable Disease Reference Chart for School and Child Care Facility Personnel.

Virginia Department of Health. (2025). Pediculosis (Head Lice Infestation).


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