Reasons to keep your child home from school

One of our commitments to you is to provide a safe and healthy environment in which your child can fully learn. In order to accomplish this, it is important that we all think about and care for one another. Little people who come to school sick are not ready to learn and can make other little people sick! If your child is sick and exhibits symptoms that concern you or could be contagious, please be a wise and caring parent, mindful of the welfare and well-being of your own child and of all children in our school, and keep them home, even if they want to come to school!

Absences from School

We appreciate hearing if your child will not be in school on a particular day. Please call the School Office at (703) 451-6177 to notify us if your child will be absent. When leaving a message, please state: your child’s name, your child’s teacher, and the reason for the absence. We will alert your child’s teacher when hearing from you. Should your child contract a contagious disease such as chicken pox, head lice, or strep throat, please notify the school as soon as a diagnosis has been made. Again, we appreciate your thoughtful consideration for the health of your own child, as well as that of all the children here at Prince of Peace.

Health Care Plans Including Allergies

Parents or Guardians enrolling a student with a health condition, health-related need, or specific health care procedure that affects the school day should contact the Principal or Registrar so that a health care plan can be discussed.

When to Stay Home

Students with symptoms such as rashes, lethargy, watery and/or inflamed eyes, fever above 100° , sore throat, vomiting, or diarrhea should stay home until symptoms are no longer present or a doctor evaluates and determines whether or not they are contagious. The Fairfax County Health Department recommends that children remain home fever-free, without the use of medication for 24 hours after an illness prior to returning to school.

Returning to School

Some illnesses, rashes, pink eye, impetigo, ringworm, etc. can be passed from one student to another. To protect all children we may require a note from a physician from any child with symptoms of these illnesses, stating they are no longer contagious and can return to school.

Written Protocols can never be so well outlined and up-to-date that they will answer all questions regarding exclusion for every possible situation. There are too many diseases and an almost infinite number of special circumstances. Should you have questions or concerns about your child’s health and readiness for school on a particular day, please call the School Office at 703-451-6177, we are glad to be of help.