policy questions

Our district policy broadly states that students may be sent home for evidence of undiagnosed/untreated communicable conditions. That leaves a lot up to our discretion.

If a student has one loose stool, but otherwise feels well, shows no evidence of illness and believes s/he can control his/her need to use the bathroom, I would not insist on sending him home.

If a student is known to have a health condition (such as celiac) or be on a medication that puts him/her at risk for diarrhea, I would make sure the child has immediate access to a bathroom to use at his/her discretion, has extra clothes (just in case) and keep him in class.

If a student has diarrhea combined with a fever, rash, N/V, or believes s/he may be unable to get to the bathroom on time, home he goes.

It's simply a matter of not exposing others to a potential contagion.

Isn't diarrhea defined by frequency, not consistency of stools? If I am remembering correctly it is. In that case, one episode of loose stools is NOT diarrhea and I would not dismiss a student for a single episode (unless there are other concerning s/s).

i agree -one loose stool does not a diarrhea make. Liquid stools are more in line, but in my experience, they usually come frequently with cramping.

yeah thats what i thought too. will have to revisit the policy...... supv is on maternity leave. am i in charge ?