Illness Prevention & Control of Spread in Schools

To protect other students from contagious illnesses, students exhibiting signs and symptoms of any illness as defined by the Texas Department of Health as easily transmitted to others, are not allowed to come to school while contagious. Common contagious illnesses are listed below. You can also see the complete list of diseases requiring exclusion from school.

• Conjunctivitis (pinkeye) – Exclude until a doctor’s note is presented or until symptom-free
• COVID-19 – Students who test positive for COVID-19 must stay home until at least 5 days after the day they were tested or 5 days from when symptoms started
• Fever of 100 or greater – Exclude until fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications like Tylenol or Motrin
• Flu – Exclude until fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications. See more information on how to prevent the flu.
• Fifth Disease (erythema infectiosum) – Exclude until fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications
• Lice – Please see the handbook about the policy on lice.
• Meningitis (bacterial) and meningococcal infections (invasive) – Exclude until 24 hours after the start of effective treatment and approval by the health care provider. See more information on how to prevent meningitis.
• Meningitis (viral) – Exclude until fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication.
• Mononucleosis (infectious) – Exclude until physician decides or fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications
• Pertussis (whooping cough) – Exclude until completion of five days of appropriate antibiotic therapy, or until 21 days have passed since cough onset, whichever is earlier.
• Ringworm – No exclusion is required if the infected area can be completely covered by clothing or a bandage, otherwise, exclude until treatment has begun
• Scabies – Exclude until treatment has begun
• Skin infections – Exclude until drainage from wounds or skin is contained in a clean, dry bandage
• Strep throat and scarlet fever – Exclude until 24 hours from the time antibiotic treatment was begun and fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications
• The District is also required to report certain contagious (communicable) diseases or illnesses to the Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS) or our local/regional health authority. If a parent suspects that his or her student has a contagious disease, the parent should contact the school nurse before bringing the student to school. Contact the school nurse if you have questions or if you are concerned about whether or not your student should stay home.

Guidelines for When a Student is Ill at School

If a student becomes ill during the school day, he or she must advise the teacher and report to the school nurse. If the nurse determines that the student should go home, the nurse will contact the parent. In case a parent cannot be reached, the office will notify the other emergency contacts you have listed to assume temporary care of your child. In emergencies, when parents or a responsible person cannot be reached, medical attention will be provided at a medical facility at the parent’s expense. Please call the school to update any new phone numbers or a change of address.