School Nurse and Health Office

Too Sick for School? (Updated 11/7/22)
A sick student has a hard time learning and may not be able to participate in class. Keeping a sick student home allows the student to rest and recover, and prevents the spread of illness in the school community.

COVID-like symptoms

If your student has any of the following, they should isolate at home and test for COVID-19 (using at-home or PCR test):

• Chills or Fever of 100.4 F or higher
• Shortness of Breath or Difficulty Breathing
• Muscle or Body Aches
• New Loss of Taste or Smell
• Cough (New, Changed, or Worsening)
• Congestion or Runny Nose
• Fatigue
• Sore Throat
• Nausea, Vomiting or Diarrhea

Please contact your school and do not send your child to school if they have any of the symptoms noted above.

If your student tests NEGATIVE for COVID, or does not test:

• They may return to school
  • When symptoms have significantly improved AND
  • No fever within the past 24 hours (without medication) AND
  • No vomiting or diarrhea within the past 24 hours
• If symptoms do not improve, it is recommended to re-test every 24-48 hours for 5 days and/or contact a healthcare provider

If your student tests POSITIVE for COVID:

• Contact your school nurse if your student tests positive for COVID
• The first day of symptoms is considered "Day 0". If they do not have symptoms, "Day 0" is the test date.
• They may return to school:
  • After 5 days (on "Day 6") AND
  • No fever within the past 24 hours (without medication) AND
  • Symptoms have significantly improved
• Students should wear a well-fitting mask when they return to school and during all activities on "Days 6-10."

A list of free COVID-19 testing around King County is available hereto learn about

The closest sites for free testing include Shoreline, Aurora, and Curative at Northgate Community Center.

Home tests can be ordered for free (while supplies last) at https://sayyescovidhometest.org/. 

There are other medical conditions besides COVID-19 that may require your child to stay home from school. If your child has any of the following symptoms, please keep them home and contact their school.

• Appearance, behavior – unusually tired, pale, lack of appetite, difficult to wake up, confused or irritable
• Eyes – white or yellow drainage, vision change, and/or redness of the eyelid or skin around the eye, itchiness, pain, or sensitivity to light.  This may be a sign of “pink eye” (conjunctivitis) which needs a medical evaluation. Following a diagnosis of conjunctivitis, the student may return to school 24 hours after receiving the first dose of medication, if prescribed. Students can remain in school if there is only minimal redness to the white of the eye and no other signs.
• Ear pain – consult with the student’s health care provider if your child complains of ongoing inner ear pain. Treatment may be necessary.
• Rash – body rash, especially with fever or itching. Common infectious diseases with rashes are most contagious in the early stages. A child with a suspicious rash should return to school only after a healthcare provider has made a diagnosis and authorized the student's return to school. Exceptions are rashes due to heat, diapers, and allergic reactions which are not spread to others.

Contact your healthcare provider if your student is experiencing any symptoms that are of concern to you. If you need assistance finding a clinic, contact your School Nurse or Family Advocate. In addition, here is a list of local Community Health Centers.