how long do you wait?

KeeperOfTheIceRN, ADN · Feb 16, 2017

I'll keep students in my office until 30 minutes prior to dismissal. At that time, they're sent back to class to dismiss as they normally would, with any thing they may need to make the ride home (barf bag, ice pack, etc. etc.). I also send them with a note home stating they had been in my office for x amount of time and emergency contact numbers were no good, to please update in the front office. We also aren't a bussed system, so all kiddos are either picked up or stay for our afterschool program. Naturally, as others have mentioned, if its something that needs a medical professional to monitor, I will be happy to stay. Other than that, my admin assistant would take on the task of watching them until their ride arrives, or they go home with their parent at the regular dismissal time.

For your situation, does the parent know that you have their child still? If you were unable to reach them during school hours regarding their child, I'd be worried they didn't know you still had them after school. Personally, I feel like its a bad idea to keep a child so late after school dismisses without parental knowledge. Especially if the child is supposed to go to a daycare afterschool. If you aren't able to reach the parents during school hours, and have yet to hear from them that far after the school day ends, chances are they're not going to know their child is still at the school. Panic will undoubtedly ensue when the parent goes to pick their child up from daycare, only to learn they never got there. Not to mention, lots of daycares are open until 6 pm, sometimes later. If the child is a late pickup at daycare, you may be stuck at school with the child way later than you even expected. Since it had already been 1.5 hours since you called initially, I would have called again, told them I'm sending their child back to class to go home as they usually do, with the same letter I mentioned above, and to please make sure they update their emergency contact info.

I clearly don't know what all you did prior to your post, so I can't assume you didn't already have a discussion with the parent. I would just make sure you do what you can, but avoid committing yourself to stay after school with an ill child. I can see that leading to expectations on the parents end that you may not want to dive into.