Student Illness/Injury

District 65 remains committed to maintaining a healthy and safe school environment for our students, staff, and families. We are fortunate to have a strong collaborative partnership with local pediatricians and the Evanston and Skokie Health Departments. These partnerships have supported us in refining our COVID-19 health and safety protocols.

As always, we will continue to monitor the public health situation, remain up-to-date on CDC/IDPH guidance, and consult with our medical advisors to make necessary adjustments throughout the school year. Please note that all guidance is subject to change at any point and updates will be provided as needed.

When should my child remain home from school?

Please remember that staying home when sick can lower the risk of spreading infectious diseases to other people. We trust our families to partner with us in keeping our schools safe, which means keeping their children home when sick.

These represent symptoms or signs of illness and the child should be kept home from school: fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit; severe, persistent coughing; copious eye drainage; significant sore throat; excessive nasal discharge; undiagnosed skin rash; nausea and vomiting; diarrhea; extreme fatigue; moderate to severe headache; body aches; and/or a general sense of being unwell.

Individuals with symptoms of infectious diseases, including COVID-19, influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and gastrointestinal infections should stay home and get tested for COVID-19.

If a student is at school and not feeling well enough to stay, the Health Office Personnel will notify the parent/guardian to pick up their child. Sick children need to go home as soon as possible. If the situation becomes urgent in nature, emergency contacts will be notified. It is the parent/guardian's responsibility to ensure that their emergency contact list is kept up-to-date.

When can my child return to school?

A student with a fever cannot return to school until fever-free for 24 hours without the use of medication.

Students with vomiting and/or diarrhea may not return to school until they are 24 hours free of vomiting or diarrhea without the use of medication. It is important to note that a fever is not always present with these illnesses.

Respiratory Illnesses

We have all had the “common cold” and experienced minor infections of the nose and throat. These symptoms last about a week to 10 days and typically disappear on their own, even without treatment. Colds have a gradual onset and are most contagious within the first 3 days. Some of the symptoms associated with colds are: feeling tired, low-grade-fever, headache, watery eyes, runny nose, nasal and sinus congestion, sore/scratchy throat and nonproductive cough.

The viruses that cause COVID-19 and influenza can range from no symptoms to mild or severe symptoms. They have many symptoms in common and are difficult to diagnose based on symptoms alone. Testing is highly recommended to see if you have COVID-19 or influenza. 

Symptoms of influenza typically begin 1-4 days after exposure while COVID-19 can take anywhere from 2-5 days, and up to 14 days after exposure. Symptoms of either influenza or COVID-19 may include: muscle aches, high fever and chills, headache, sore throat, vomiting and diarrhea, as well as a runny nose, feeling tired, and a cough.

Your best protection against COVID-19 and Influenza is vaccination. Individuals who are experiencing symptoms of infectious disease should stay home and get tested for COVID-19. A person with symptoms who tests negative for COVID-19 should consider getting tested for other respiratory illnesses that could spread to others.