Skip To Main Content

Reasons for Absence or Dismissal

In order to provide the healthiest school environment possible, please do not send your child to school when symptoms of illness are present.

Children must be fever free without medication for 24 hours before returning to school. If a child is being treated for a contagious illness or condition such as strep throat or impetigo, they must complete a full 24 hours of antibiotics before returning to school.

Reasons for Dismissal or Exclusion
  • Temperature over 100 degrees (oral temperature)
  • Cough with fever
  • Suspected infection of eye, ears, nose, throat, skin, scalp (unless under physician’s care for 24 hours)
  • Severe headache or abdominal pain
  • Suspected communicable disease and/or rash of unknown origin
  • Suspected fracture or any severe or disabling injury
  • Questionable need for sutures
  • Vomiting or diarrhea
  • Head injury requiring a physician evaluation
  • Mental health crisis
  • Immunization delinquencies without exemption documentation
  • Please notify the school nurse if your child contracts any communicable diseases, including but not limited to: chicken pox, conjunctivitis, COVID-19, Fifth's disease, gastroenteritis, influenza, impetigo, measles, mononucleosis, mumps, RSV, scabies, scarlet fever, strep throat and whooping cough.
Post-contagious illness School Attendance Guidelines
  • For all illnesses:  Children must be fever free without medication for 24 hours before returning to school.
  • Contagious Illness: According to school policy, if a child is being treated for a contagious illness or condition such as Strep, conjunctivitis or impetigo, the child must complete a full 24 hours of antibiotics before returning to school, and feel well enough to return to school and participate.  
    • Strep throat: per MGL 105 CMR 300.200 Isolation and Quarantine, requires students to remain home for 24 hours after initiation of antibiotics. 
    • In the case of chickenpox, all lesions must be scabbed over (5-7 days) before the child may return to school.
  • MA Department of Public Health - Respiratory Illness Guidance - updated March 2024
Return to school after hospitalization, injury, mental health crisis, or other non-contagious illness

Return based on medical evaluation and plan created by the provider, as appropriate. Please communicate with your School Nurse or School Adjustment Counselor regarding return to school and any accommodations or safety plans.