Student Illness & Injury

  • When Should A Child Stay Home From School?

    When a child has a fever, severe coughing, red and running eyes, sore throat, swollen glands in the neck, skin rash, unusual pallor, dizziness or faintness, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, aches (such as earache, backache, stomachache) or severe pain anywhere, these are symptoms or signs of illness and the child should be kept home from school. If a student is at school and not feeling well enough to stay, the Nurses' Office staff will notify the parent/guardian who will be expected to take the child out of school for at least that day. Note: A student with a fever cannot return to school until fever-free for 24 hours without the use of medication.

    Covid-19 Precautions

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its recommendations under the for COVID-19.

    The updated recommendation is to stay home and away from others until both of the following have been true for at least 24 hours: 

    1. Symptoms are getting better overall.
    2. Have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication).


    Leaving Class for Illness

    If you become ill during class, ask your teacher for a pass, and report to the Nurses' Office (Health Services, N121). If you become ill during the passing period, report to your next class, ask your teacher for a pass, and proceed to the Nurses' Office. If your illness is such that you cannot reach your next class, you should report to the nearest adult or classroom for assistance. If you arrive at the Nurses' Office without a valid pass, you will be sent to class for a pass, if you are able. If you are physically unable to obtain a pass (seriously injured, difficulty breathing, etc.) you will be seen without first obtaining a pass.

    If you are ill and the nurse decides to send you home, the nurse will follow these Check Out procedures.

    Physical Education Medical Waiver

    An excuse from physical education classes must be in writing and accompanied by a written recommendation from the student's physician. See the Medical Excuses from PE page for more information.

    Concussions

    If you are diagnosed with a concussion, it is very important to notify the Nurse and Athletic Trainer (if you participate in a sport). Return to Learn and Return to Play guidelines will be followed to ensure students have both cognitive and physical rest to assist with a full recovery. If the overseeing health care provider has recommended cognitive rest, the School Nurse will notify the appropriate parties at Evanston Township High School of the recommended accommodations for the specific student.  Students will not be allowed to participate in PE or Athletics until they are asymptomatic for a period of 24 hours. They will then begin the Return to Play progression as determined by the Team Physician and Athletic Trainer.

    Infectious Disease

    Parents/guardians are required to report any incidence of infectious disease to the Health Services Department. Students with chronic infectious disease have all rights, privileges, and services provided by law and Board policies and the district’s obligation to safeguard these rights while managing health and safety for all district students.

    A student known to have a chronic infectious disease will be evaluated to determine whether there is a high risk of spreading the disease. The Student Services team works with local, regional, or State health officials, the family physician, the student, the student’s teachers, and student’s parent/guardian to establish the most appropriate educational program.