Sometimes it can be difficult for a parent to decide whether to send children to school when they wake up with complaints that they do not feel well.  However, there are some situations in which it is best to plan on keeping your child home. 

• Persistent fever greater than 100° (without fever reducing medication such as Tylenol)
• Vomiting more than 2 times in the previous 24 hours, especially if accompanied by poor appetite, diarrhea, or fever, or if vomiting is in the morning of the same day you intend to send them to school
• Diarrhea or loose stools that cannot be controlled, that are bloody, or that spill out of underpants or diapers, or a diagnosis from a physician of an infectious cause until cleared by the physician to return to school
• Child is too sleepy or ill to stay in class all day or profit from program activities
• Significant cough that makes a child feel uncomfortable or disrupts the class
• Difficulty breathing,  persistent crying, or significant irritability
• Sore throat accompanied by fever, rash, and/or feeling ill, that lasts longer than 48 hours, or a physician confirmed diagnosis of strep throat until 24 hours after treatment has started
• Honey-crusted sores around the nose or mouth; any wet or weeping sores; or a physician confirmed diagnosis of impetigo until 24 hours after treatment has started.
• Rash accompanied by other symptoms of illness such as fever or behavioral changes, until a physician confirms it is not contagious.
• Red, runny eyes that are painful, severely itchy, red or swollen eyelids,  or distract a child from learning
• Large amount of discolored nasal discharge especially if the child is feeling ill or has a fever
• Severe ear pain or drainage from the ear
• Severe headache, especially if accompanied by fever or rash
• Persistent abdominal pain for more than 2 hours or associated with fever, dehydration, or feeling very ill.
• Any condition that you think may be serious, contagious to others, or that would prevent your child from staying in class, participating comfortably in activities, or that may interfere with learning.

Resource: American Academy of Pediatrics Managing Infectious Diseases in Child Care and Schools, A Quick Reference Guide, 2^nd Edition, Aronson, SS. Shope, TR. 2009

IF YOUR CHILD EXHIBITS SYMPTOMS ASSOCIATED WITH COVID-19:

PCSD follows the CDC guidance for return to school after students or staff members exhibit symptoms associated with COVID-19.

If your child is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, please keep them home and follow the CDC Guidelines. They should return to school when they meet the following criteria:

1. Exhibit significant improvement of symptoms
2. Are fever-free for at least 24 hrs. without fever-reducing medication

Penfield Central School District policy

The New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions, division of medical licensing does not recommend and strongly discourages medical providers from treating family members. Accordingly, because the district follows a "best practice" standard of care in our health offices, please be advised that the district will not accept medical clearances, requests, forms, documents, certificates, or any other medical notice, etc. from a parent who is acting as their child's health care provider.

All medical orders, certificates, or other required statements or forms must be written by the child's private primary care physician, or health care provider. A parent who is also a health care provider must complete all required parent documentation/ permission to supplement the treating physician or other health care provider's information, the same as any other parent. Your failure to cooperate may delay the processing of your child's information resulting in delays in your child's ability to participate in various activities.