Health Exclusion Policy
Policy details
| Detail | Policy details |
|---|---|
| Owner | AdM (SickBay) |
| Executed by | HRT, Mentor / Single Subject Teacher, TL, PO, SB Team |
| Approvers | CMO AdM (SickBay) |
| Frequency | As and when a student gets infected by an infectious disease |
| Applies to | All students and parents |
Objective and rationale
- Standardize the health-related exclusion of students
- Minimise the spread of infectious disease to other students
- Unwell students stay home until they are normal, so communicable diseases do not spread
- Fewer missed classes, work days and illnesses for students and staff
- Parents' cooperation in health matters is greatly appreciated
- Value: Responsible. Students uphold high standards of behaviour and respect the rights of others
General rule: when to exclude
Children with symptoms that may suggest a communicable disease are excluded from the classroom or from other students until one of these is met, using the table below.
- A physician certifies the symptoms are not linked to an infectious agent or are no longer a threat to other students
- The symptoms have subsided or treatment has started
How long at home: at a glance
24 hours
After the trigger clears or treatment starts
- Fever: 24 hours normal, no fever-reducing medication
- Vomiting: 24 hours after it stops
- Diarrhea: 24 hours after last loose stool
- Pinkeye, ringworm, scabies, impetigo: 24 hours after treatment
- Strep or scarlet fever: 24 hours after treatment and no fever
6-10 days
Until blisters dry
- Chicken pox: blisters dried into scabs, about 6-10 days after onset
- Hand, foot and mouth disease: 7-10 days, blisters dried and no fever, plus doctor certificate
Until better
Until symptoms stop affecting activity
- Respiratory symptoms no longer affect normal activity
- Rash disappears or is diagnosed as not contagious
- General lethargy: condition improves
- COVID-19: see test and reporting steps
Symptoms and exclusion guidelines
| Condition | If a student develops | Keep home until |
|---|---|---|
| A-1 Fever | A temperature of 100 F / 37.6 C axillary or higher, before fever-reducing medication is given | The fever is normal for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication |
| A-2 Respiratory | Difficult or rapid breathing, or severe constant coughing that prevents participation in activities | Coughing, breathing difficulties and other symptoms no longer affect normal activity |
| A-3 Vomiting | Vomited two or more times, OR any vomiting with other symptoms such as fever, behavioural changes or abdominal pain | 24 hours after vomiting has stopped |
| A-4 Diarrhea | An increased number of abnormally loose stools in the previous 24 hours. Observe the child for other symptoms | 24 hours after the last loose stool |
| A-5 Rash or skin | Rash | Rash disappears or is diagnosed as not contagious |
| Impetigo | Rash (impetigo) | 24 hours after treatment begins and lesions are dry or can be covered with bandages |
| Chicken pox | Rash (chicken pox) | Blisters have dried into scabs, about 6-10 days after onset |
| Ringworm | Rash (ringworm) | 24 hours after treatment begins |
| Scabies | Rash (scabies) | 24 hours after treatment begins |
| A-6 Pinkeye | Conjunctivitis: tears, redness of eyelid lining, irritation, then swelling and discharge of pus | 24 hours after treatment begins |
| A-8 Strep / scarlet | Strep throat or scarlet fever | 24 hours after treatment begins AND the student has no fever |
| A-9 Hand, foot, mouth | Fever, mouth sores, skin rash | 7-10 days, until blisters are dried and the student has no fever. Doctor certificate goes to sickbay@fountainheadschools.org, the HRT and the TL before the student returns |
| A-10 Lethargy | Not able to participate in activities with reasonable comfort, and needs more care than staff can give without compromising other students' health and safety | The condition improves |
A-7 head lice: the 3-day grace timeline
Applies when staff or the SBIC identify lice or nits during a health checkup or otherwise. The student remains in class.
1Identified
SBIC or staff find lice or nits. Student stays in class
2Letter sent
SBIC sends Annexure-1 to parents with a 3-day grace period to treat and remove ALL nits (eggs)
3Days 1-3
Student can attend school during the grace period
4Day 4 check
HRT sends student to SB to certify lice or nits are absent. SB also calls the parent and keeps a record
5On and after day 4
Student can attend, but parents are advised to treat as soon as possible
- If still not cured at the next audit or checkup, parents are advised to consult a doctor
- Doctor's treatment certificate is emailed to sickbay@fountainheadschools.org, the HRT and the TL
A-11 COVID-19 and its variants
Applies if a student, staff member or immediate family member develops symptoms away from school premises.
Symptoms
- Respiratory tract infection (difficulty breathing)
- Fever
- Cough
- Headache
- Cold
- Sore throat
- Muscle discomfort
- Weariness
- SPO2 less than 95
- Pneumonia
Symptoms in school
The student or staff member is sent home and the steps on the right are followed.
Family member positive
It is advisable for staff and students to stay home if any immediate family member is found positive.
What parents do
1Symptoms found
Do not send the student to school until health improves. A COVID-19 test is recommended.
2Test negative
The student can rejoin once health improves.
3Test positive
Fill in the COVID-19 Reporting Form available on FSApps.
4Isolate
Total isolation per Government Guidelines until completely cured.
5Return
Once the report comes back negative, submit it to SB and SO, then the student can return.
Annexure 1: head lice letter to parents
- 1Tells parents the child was found with head lice during screening and that it should be treated immediately
- 2Gives a 3-day grace period, with a date filled in, to check and cure it. The student may attend school meanwhile
- 3Parents check and treat at home, or consult the family physician
- 4On the 4th day (date filled in) the SickBay InCharge inspects: the child must be free of all lice and viable nits (eggs)
- 5If lice or nits are found, the sickbay team or HRT phones the parent to continue treatment
Abbreviations
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| SB | SickBay |
| HoS | Head of School |
| DHoS | Deputy Head of School |
| HoS(D) | Head of School Designate |
| CMO | Chief Manager Operations |
| AdM (SB) | Admin Manager (SickBay) |
| AdM | Admin Manager |
| HRT | Home Room Teacher |
| PoC | Process Coordinator |
| TL | Team Leader |
| SBIC | SickBay InCharge |
| Nurse | Nurse |
Unwell students stay home until they are well: it protects every student and staff member from infection.