Fox Elementary Student Health Guidelines

At Fox Elementary, we prioritize the health and well-being of all our students. To maintain a safe and healthy environment, we ask that you follow the guidelines below when determining whether your child is well enough to attend school.

Sometimes it can be difficult to decide whether to send your child to school when they wake up feeling a little off. While mild sniffles or fatigue may not always require staying home, there are certain symptoms and conditions that do.

Please keep your child home and consult your healthcare provider if your child:

• Has a fever of 100°F or higher. Children must be fever-free (without the use of fever-reducing medication) for at least 24 hours before returning to school.
  
  

• Has vomited or had diarrhea in the past 24 hours.
  
  

• Has a persistent or severe cough that is disruptive or makes them feel unwell.
  
  

• Has nasal discharge that is thick, green, or yellow, especially if paired with facial pain or headache.
  
  

• Shows signs of severe illness such as extreme tiredness, irritability, constant crying, difficulty breathing, wheezing, or other concerning symptoms.
  
  

• Has a sore throat, especially with fever or following known exposure to someone with strep throat.
  
  

• Complains of a severe headache, especially if it occurs with a fever.
  
  

• Has ear pain or drainage, or a known ear infection causing discomfort.
  
  

• Has eye redness, pain, or drainage (e.g., symptoms of pink eye). A doctor’s note or 24 hours of treatment is required before returning.
  
  

• Has an unexplained rash or skin condition, especially when accompanied by fever or behavior changes, until cleared by a healthcare provider.
  
  

• Has lice. Students may stay at school until the end of the day, but should be treated before returning. Nits may remain, but treatment should kill active lice.
  
  

If your child has a contagious illness, even one not listed here (e.g., chickenpox, measles, mumps), please notify the school office right away. Some illnesses can pose serious risks to immunocompromised students.

We follow the San Mateo County Health Department and California Department of Public Health guidelines, including protocols related to COVID-19. Our school may send notices to families when exposure to a communicable disease occurs in the classroom.

A few important reminders:

• When in doubt, keep them out. If your child is unable to comfortably participate in classroom activities or requires more care than we can provide, it’s best to let them rest at home.
  
  

• If your child is prescribed medication to be taken at school, a completed Medication Authorization Form signed by both a parent/guardian and your healthcare provider must be submitted along with the medication.
  
  

• We appreciate your help in keeping our school healthy!
  
  

Thank you for your partnership in ensuring that Fox remains a safe and supportive place for all students to learn and grow.