Illness Policy

General Guidelines

We work together to keep children and adults at school healthy and safe. Please use the following guidelines in the event of illness.

• Inform our office and your child’s teacher of any chronic health problems.
• If medication is to be given to a child at school (requires a medication permission form), it is the parents’ or guardians’ responsibility to ensure medications, EpiPens, inhalers, etc., are kept current and packed appropriately.

When to keep a student home from school

• A student should stay home (or go home) from school when any new illness or symptom:
  • prevents them from participating meaningfully in school activities;
  • results in a need for care that is greater than the staff can provide without compromising the health and safety of other children;
  • OR symptoms include:
    • a fever of 100.4°F or higher within the previous 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications
    • repeated vomiting or diarrhea within the previous 24 hours
    • a new or unusual rash
    • a cough severe enough that they child cannot catch their breath after coughing
    • signs of conjunctivitis (pink eye)

Under California law, a child may be required to stay home (or go home) from school in specified circumstances where an apparent illness presents a significant risk to other children or school personnel. (Education Code § 49213; Education Code § 49451.)

Notify TSHS if your student stays home

Call and email us to let us know that your student is sick and will be staying home from school.

• Preschool Campus - Notify Preschool Director Amy Tanti via email or phone (707-763-9222), and mark your child absent on the Playground App
• Lower Elementary Campus & Main Campus - Notify K-8 Office Manager CC Malone via email or phone (707-782-7836)

When a child becomes ill at school

• We will take the child’s temperature and try to identify their symptoms.
• We will call the parents first. If we do not hear back within 5 minutes, we will begin calling the emergency contact numbers.
• If necessary, we will isolate the child until someone can take them home. Children in isolation will be properly supervised at all times.
• Children over the age of 2 with respiratory symptoms will be asked to wear a face mask while indoors.
• A child being sent home sick must be picked up within 30 minutes to ensure the proper care and supervision for all students on campus and the ailing child. We do not have facilities to care for sick children at school.
• In the case of a severe medical condition, we will call 911 and then notify the parents.

Returning to School

A doctor’s note is NOT necessary for returning to school for most illnesses.

In general, a student can return when they meet ALL the following conditions:

1. Symptoms are improving and the child is feeling better and can meaningfully participate in routine child care/school activities.
2. Staff can meet child’s care needs without compromising the health and safety of other children and staff.
3. Specific symptoms (like fever or vomiting) have met return recommendations listed in the CDPH Guidance for Common Signs and Symptoms