When to Keep Your Child Home
A child who is ill will not be able to fully learn, may infect other children and will not be happy.
If you have questions on whether to send your child to school, please contact your child's Certified School Nurse prior to sending your child to school.
Please do not send your child to the Health Services nurse to examine him/her or to prescribe treatment. Only a Physician, Certified Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant outside of the school can diagnose and prescribe treatment of illnesses and injuries.
When should you keep your child home from school?
To prevent the spread of germs, a parent/guardian MUST keep your child home from school if he/she shows any of the following illness or situations AND keep this student home until fever-free without fever-reducing medications AND the symptoms have mostly resolved for a FULL 24 HOURS.
(Please contact your school nurse for further guidance and clearance to return to in-person school/extracurricular activities)
- Fever (100 F or higher) or chills
- New Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache or migraine
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Sinus or nose congestion
- Runny nose
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or stomachache
Virtual Excuse Blanks
When is a Medical Excuse necessary?
If your child is absent three or more days in a row: According to the Muhlenberg School District's Attendance policy No 204, a medical note from your child's health care provider is required in addition to a parental/guardian absentee excuse (use of the school's "excuse blank" is recommended). These must be submitted to your child's school within 3 days of return to school.
If your child is absent one or two days: a parental/guardian absentee excuse must be submitted to your child's school within 3 days of return to school. FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE: Each school has an electronic excuse blank, which are linked above. (Click the link for your child's school to access this electronic excuse blank)
To avoid excessive absence letters, students who visit a health care provider during any absence should bring a note to school from that provider. This is especially important if your child has been diagnosed with a communicable disease such as chickenpox or pinkeye. If the Health Service nurse suspects your child may have a communicable disease, a medical note or form will be required for return to school per the Pennsylvania state requirements.
A medical provider excuse is also needed if your child cannot participate in physical education class or any other required school activities due to an injury or illness.
A parent or guardian should contact your child's Certified School Nurse for guidance of an illness or injury resulting in an extended absence of 3 days or more.