2023-24 Sick Policy

Please find below the current Academic year Sick Policy.  If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to Nurse Catherman.  catherman.c@harrisburgacademy.org 717-763-7811 x1322
We hope that this will guide you in deciding when to seek professional medical advice and when your child can safely return to school.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the school nurse, Christine M. Catherman, RN at 717-763-7811 x1322 or via email at catherman.c@harrisburgacademy.org
IF YOUR CHILD IS ABSENT FROM SCHOOL FOR THREE CONSECUTIVE DAYS, THEY MUST HAVE A PHYSICIAN’S NOTE TO RETURN TO SCHOOL.
Updated COVID-19 Guidance
If your child has had a KNOWN exposure to an individual with Covid-19 AND they do not have symptoms, it is strongly recommended that they wear a mask for 10 days when out in public and at school.  Quarantine is no longer necessary after an exposure to Covid-19. If your child becomes symptomatic at any time during those 10 days after exposure, they should stay home and get tested for Covid-19.
 
If your child has had a KNOWN exposure to an individual with Covid-19 AND they are exhibiting symptoms of Covid-19, they should stay home.  If they test positive for Covid-19, they should isolate at home for 5 days from the onset of symptoms*.  They may return to school on Day 6 as long as they are fever-free for 24 hours and symptoms are improving.  They should wear a mask for an additional 5 days.
*Day 0 of isolation is the day of symptom onset, regardless of when you tested positive. Day 1 is the first full day after the day your symptoms started.
 
Other reasons (symptoms) to keep your child home from school:
      Symptom**
            Standard for Return to School
  1. Temp of 100.4 or greater (not related to Covid-19)
  2. Sore Throat accompanied by fever, headache, or difficulty swallowing
  3. Cough- uncontrolled or accompanied by shortness of breath
  4. Vomiting (more than once and with NO other symptoms) in last 24h
  5. Diarrhea (more than once and with NO other symptoms) in last 24h
  6. Red or Pink Eye with discolored drainage
  7. Rash (painful) with fever ≥100.4
  8. Itchy head with active lice
  9. Hospitalized or in the ER
 
**This is not a complete list.  If your child is experiencing any concerning or unusual symptoms, you should always contact their medical provider for guidance.  As always, if your child is having a life-threatening emergency, call 911.
 
  1. Fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications.
  2. Fever-free for 24 hours, tolerating liquids and food.
  3. When cough is manageable and child is able to participate in activities, and breathing is not affected.
  4. Able to keep 2 meals down without vomiting
  5. No diarrhea for 24 hours
  6. After seeing a medical professional and have medical clearance to return to school
  7. Rash cleared, no itching, fever free for 24 hours AND medical clearance to return to school
  8. Treatment initiated and no active lice (to be screened by school nurse upon return)
  9. Must have medical clearance to return to school
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