Northbrook School District 27

When to Stay Home from School

Keeping children at home when they are too sick for school prevents the spread of diseases. This practice is in place for the student who is ill, as well as the protection of the other children at school.

When should I keep my child at home?

A child MUST be kept at home for:
  • A fever of 100.0F or higher
  • If your child is vomiting
  • If your child has diarrhea
  • If your child has been diagnosed with influenza (flu)
  • If your child has a severe cold or cough that interferes with learning
  • If your child has reddened, swollen or watery eyes, and/or conjunctivitis (pink eye)
  • If your child has a new unexplained skin rash or new unexplained lesions anywhere on their body
  • COVID Recommendations:  Please refer to the District 27 Health Office COVID Information site.
*Note this is not an exhaustive list of absences for medical reasons*

Giving Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen to your child and sending them to school when they feel ill or have a fever is discouraged.

When can my child return to school?

  • FEVER: When your child has been fever-free for 24 hours without the use of antipyretics such as acetaminophen  or Ibuprofen
  • VOMITING: 24 hours after the last episode of vomiting without the use of antiemetic medication
  • DIARRHEA: 24 hours after the last episode of diarrhea without the use of antidiarrheal medication
  • INFLUENZA (FLU): When your child is free of flu-like symptoms and has been fever free for 24 hours without the use of antipyretics such as acetaminophen or Ibuprofen
  • SEVERE COLD OR COUGH: When your child is able to participate in class without being distracted by coughing or other cold-related symptoms
  • CONJUNCTIVITIS (PINK EYE): When your child has received antibiotic eye drops for 24 hours –OR- a note provided by an examining healthcare provider  stating that your child is not contagious
  • UNEXPLAINED RASH/SORES: After evaluation by an examining healthcare provider, including a note stating that your child’s rash or lesion is not contagious.

Students absent for three or more consecutive days due to illness may be required to submit a written statement from a physician which includes the diagnoses for the extended absence.

When should I call the School?

Please contact the school for any medical absences, including reports of strep throat, pink eye, flu, or COVID regardless of the day you received a diagnosis (including weekend days).

Please refer to your student’s school Student Handbook Attendance section on the District 27 website for further information

Thank you for helping keep our school community healthy!

For any questions, please contact your school nurse.

Melanie Zimmerman
BSN, RN, PEL-CSN
District Nurse/Hickory Point Nurse
(847) 498-3830, ext. 3303
Email Mrs. Zimmerman
Kate Slodowy
BSN, RN
Shabonee Nurse
(847) 498-4970, ext. 4489
Email Ms. Slodowy
Jasmine Weeks
MSN, RN
Wood Oaks Nurse
(847) 272-1900, ext. 5536
Email Ms. Weeks