Skip To Main Content

Nurse's Corner

TMSA Charlotte has adopted the Helping Hand guidelines which  will strictly enforce the following illness guidelines  for the health, well-being and safety of all students and staff members. When your student is sick, it’s important to know when they should remain home from school. In any cases of contagious infections, please keep them home. This will help them to recover faster and keep their teachers and classmates from any possibilities of exposure. 

When Your Child Is Too Sick 

Under no circumstance may a parent bring a sick student to school, if they’re showing any signs  of illness or are unable to participate in normal routine and regular school day activities. 

In the event a child becomes ill and needs to be picked up, the parents will be notified and expected to pick the student up within one hour (60 minutes). If the parents cannot be reached, the emergency contact on file will be contacted and asked to pick the student up. In any event a child complains about not feeling well during the school day, the parent will be contacted. 

Please consult with your child’s doctor or health care provider if you are unsure about the symptoms that your student may be experiencing. 

As a general rule, your child should not come to school if they have: 

  • A Fever that is over 100.4 Fahrenheit (F). Your student is able to return to school after they have been fever/symptom free for 24 hours without any fever reducing medications (Antipyretics). Please understand that fever is not the only sign of sickness. 
  • Signs that they are weak or tired. These are common cold/flu symptoms and should not be ignored in the early stages. 
  • Diarrhea- Having loose poop more often. 
  • Vomiting- More than 2 times within a 24-hour period
  • Coughing- Persistent coughing that disrupts normal activity 
  • Wheezing or shortness of breath 
  • Pain in areas such as head, ears, throats, or any recent injuries such as broken/or sprained ligaments. 
  • Yellow or green discharge or drainage from eye(s)
  • Rashes- Any form of skin eruption or breakouts. Please consult with your child’s doctor or primary physician before student returns to school

Contagious Illness 

Contagious illnesses are ones that can be spread by close contact. Your child must stay home from school if they have a contagious illness. Most illnesses are contagious prior to signs of the illness so please be aware. 

Most common illnesses in young children are  but not limited to: 

  • COVID-19 00
  • Flu 
  • Pinkeye (Conjunctivitis) 
  • Hand-Foot- and Mouth
  • Strep Throat
  • A common cold 
  • Whooping Cough 
  • Chickenpox
  • Measles 

Returning to School 

In the case your student is sent home  or has been home due to a reported illness to the front office, it’s required that the scholar return to school completely symptom free with a note from their primary care physician. When sent home by the clinical aide, a full 24 hours at home is required with no symptoms reducing medication. The doctor's note will excuse their absence in our system.Please be sure to consult with your student doctor anytime they are experiencing sick symptoms as the illness may be more drastic than expected. 

In assisting TMSA with the Helping Hand Policy, please enforce good hand washing and hygiene practices to prevent the spread of germs and sickness. Although this is not the only solution, teaching your student to wash their hands often, especially after using the bathroom or before eating can further lessen the transfer of most illnesses.