Illness and School Concerts

[denstar]

Hi all -

Do you ever have to make the call whether a child who was out sick during the day can attend a school concert that afternoon/evening? Our students had a winter concert last night and we had a kiddo who had thrown up in the middle of the night the before and was out school during the day. Mom asked me if she could attend the after school concert that day - I basically said if the vomiting seemed to be due to a contagious illness she cannot attend (especially as we've had a stomach virus pop up in school this past week that I'm trying to keep down until our winter break starts!). I did add that if it seemed due to congestion/coughing and she seemed fine the rest of the day she might be okay to come. We do not have a school policy specifically relating to school events, but regular school attendance and vomiting, students are required to be out of school 24 hours vomit free (with some exceptions made for vomiting related to mucus, etc...).

In reality I know I made the right call, but am just feeling guilty as I know the student really wanted to attend the concert and was a little heartbroken that she didn't get to go. I guess I was just looking for a little reassurance that other school nurses handle it the same!

Thanks!

[WineRN]

I don't think we have a policy, but I know it doesn't matter what I say. I had a little one with a temp of 104 and vomiting go home once and the parents asked if he could still present at the science fair. I said no and I guess who I still saw that night at the science fair?

[KKEGS, MSN, RN]

This is a tricky area but our policy in my last district was if you were too sick to be in school you were to sick to do extracurricular activities. Mostly we enforced it when it came to our kids who were constantly skipping school and involved in the truancy process but who claimed to be "sick" until it was field trip day and then they were miraculously ok. Until the next day when they were "sick" again. Why is this student too sick to be in school but not too sick to participate in a concert? I understand not wanting to miss the concert but if you're sick, you're sick.

[SchoolNurseTXstyle]

I had one that was out for a "really bad concussion". Could not attend any classes but came to the 3.5 hour dress rehearsal and 3 nightly performances thereafter. Yet, missed 2 full weeks of all classes, then came 1-2 week for a few weeks. Now on half days.

[OldDude]

I don't worry about what goes on after school hours.

[scuba nurse, BSN, MSN, RN]

I don't worry about what goes on after school hours.

DITTO, I generally don't go to after school/evening stuff (I have too much stuff going on with my own kids!). Plus it is NOT required. So if a sick kid comes, then it is up to the principal or teacher to say if they can stay. (if they even knew that they were out sick that day, not sure if they even take attendance at the events).