Guidelines for Returning to School from Nurse Delaney

Hello RCDS Families,

I hope everyone had a smooth and exciting start to the school year! I’m truly enjoying getting to know your children and spending time with them each day. I wanted to share some guidelines to help you decide when to keep your child home in an effort to prevent the spread of germs and safeguard the health of our community. 

If your child is home sick, please notify us by emailing Mrs. Kirman, Mrs. Leslie, and me at attendance@rcds.org, or you may contact me privately at cdelaney@rcds.org. When reporting the absence, be sure to include your child’s symptoms or diagnosis.

Guidelines for Returning to School:

• Fever – Students may return to school when they are fever free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication.

• Vomiting – Students should be symptom-free for at least 24 hours and able to keep down food and fluids before returning to school. 

• Strep Throat – Students may return to school 24 hours after the first dose of antibiotic therapy and are fever free.

• Cold – Students should stay home if they are too uncomfortable to focus on schoolwork, have a persistent or severe cough, or exhibit other symptoms like a fever.

• Conjunctivitis – Students diagnosed with conjunctivitis (pink eye) may return to school after being treated for 24 hours with antibiotic eye drops. 

**A doctor's note is needed if your child is absent for three or more days, has had surgery, returned after a hospitalization, or has been under doctor’s care for a serious illness.**

Flu Shot:The New Jersey Department of Health requires that all children 5 years of age and younger must receive the flu vaccine by December 31, 2025. Students who have not received the flu vaccine by December 31 must be excluded from school for the duration of influenza season (through March 31).

Thank you for your cooperation and please reach out with any questions.

Warm Regards,

Colleen Delaney
School Nurse, BSN, RN