Student health and wellness is a critical part of keeping our schools safe and productive places for learning and growth. Together, we can help keep our community healthy by following some simple health guidelines.

Too Sick for School?

A sick student has a hard time learning and may not be able to participate in class. Keeping a sick child home allows them to rest and recover, and it prevents the spread of illness in the school community.

"What To Do When You Are Sick With COVID-19 or Another Respiratory Virus" from the WA State Department of Health is a useful resource to help prevent spread and keep our community healthy. Shoreline School District uses this resource to provide guidance to families about students with respiratory illness.

There are other medical conditions besides COVID-19 that may require your child to stay home from school. If your child has any of the following symptoms, please keep them home and contact their school:

• Fever (over 100.4) or chills (must be fever-free for at least 24 hours before returning to school)
• Appearance, behavior – unusually tired, pale, lack of appetite, difficult to wake up, confused or irritable
• Sore throat (especially with fever or swollen glands)
• Persistent nasal drainage and/or consistent cough
• Vomiting or diarrhea (must be free of these symptoms for at least 24 hours before returning to school)
• Eyes – white or yellow drainage, vision change, and/or redness of the eyelid or skin around the eye, itchiness, pain, or sensitivity to light.  Students can remain in school if there is only minimal redness to the white of the eye and no other signs.
• Ear pain – consult with the student’s health care provider if your student complains of ongoing inner ear pain. Treatment may be necessary.
• Rash – body rash, especially with fever or itching. 

Contact your healthcare provider if your student is experiencing any symptoms that are of concern to you. If you need assistance finding a clinic, contact your School Nurse.

"Mental Health Days" are also an official excused absence reason in Shoreline schools.  An excused absence for mental health wellness provides the ability to be proactive in care, notice and address symptoms, and take time as needed to prioritize wellness. If you are a student or parent of a student who is missing school due to a mental health issue, we encourage you to reach out to your school counselor or another staff member for support.