Frequently Asked Questions
When should I keep my child home
from school due to illness?
If your child has a fever of 100.0 or
higher, has vomiting or diarrhea during the night, or has drainage from his
eyes. He should stay home from school.
A child may need to stay home for a day or two when he has a cold, frequent cough, runny nose or the fatigue that is often present at the height of a cold. A day or two at home resting and drinking a lot of fluids is often needed so the child can return for the school day.
If your child has a stomach illness causing nausea and vomiting they should stay
home from school. They should remain at home until they have been able to hold
down solid food for 24 hours. See contagious disease section for more
information.
My child is being treated with antibiotics for a strep throat or
conjunctivitis when can he come to school?
A child who has an infectious illness should be on antibiotics for at least a
full 24 hours before returning to school. See contagious disease section for
more information.
My child only takes medicine at home, why does the school need to know?
It is important to let the school nurse know about medicines your child takes at
home for several reasons. Side effects of medication can occur at any time,
school will be better prepared to assist your child if we know what medication
is being taken. Assessing the effectiveness of medication is another way the
school nurse can help you with your child's medication management. Working
together is the best way to be sure your child has success in school. See
medication section foe more information.
Can my child return to school if they still have a few nits or lice in their
hair?
No, Quincy Public Schools have a no nit policy. Your child can not return to
school until they are seen by the school nurse and found to have no lice or
nits. See section on head lice for more information.
Why does my child need a new physical every year to play sports?
Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association requires that student
athletes have a yearly physical exam to play sports. This is really for the
health and safety of your child. Routine physical exams are where certain
medical conditions are and can be treated to prevent future complications. See
physical section for more information.
Can my child take their own medication in school?
No, Quincy Public Schools have a medication policy that requires certain
consents to be in place before any medication is taken in school. This policy is
in place to protect both your child and the other students in the building. See
medication policy for more information.