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PCS Illness Policy

PCS Illness Policy
PCS Illness Policy
As we head into late fall and winter, which is typically the time of year when there are increases in illness-related absences, Pitt County Schools would like to offer the following reminders:
  • Sick students should remain at home. 

  • Students may return to school once they are fever-free for at least 24 hours without fever-reducing medications such as Tylenol or Motrin and other symptoms have improved. 

  • If vomiting or diarrhea is present, there should be no new episodes for at least 12 hours.

  • Students should feel well enough to fully participate in school activities.

  • Students may return with a parent’s note to excuse the absence (as an illness). 

  • A doctor’s note is not required to return to school following a routine and short-term illness, including Covid-19 (short-term may be defined as 1 week or less). 

  • Parents should consider having their student seen by their primary doctor if they are running a fever of 100.4 or higher for more than 24 hours, vomiting several times in a 24-hour period or have flu-like symptoms that are not improving after 48-72 hours. 

Parents should only utilize the Emergency Department for symptoms that require immediate care:

  • Fast breathing or working hard to breathe;
  • Bluish skin color; 
  • Not waking up or lethargic;
  • Flu-like symptoms that improve but then return with a fever and worse cough; 
  • Unable to drink or eat;
  • Having no tears when crying (symptom of dehydration);
  • Fever with a rash. (Source: CDC.gov)

*Please note that students who have underlying medical conditions or are immuno-suppressed may need to seek medical care from their doctor more quickly.