Contagious Conditions

Schools have a critical role in preventing infectious diseases and ensuring the health and safety of students, staff, and the wider community. Union Academy strives to provide a safe and orderly environment for all students and employees.  Union Academy also strives to maintain a balance between the need to educate all eligible students, to protect students and employees’ rights, and to control communicable diseases. Under certain circumstances, students with communicable diseases may pose a threat to the health and safety of other students and employees. Union Academy works closely with the Union County Health Department to ensure the health and safety of our students and staff. Decisions regarding the educational status of students with communicable diseases will be made on a case-by-case basis. Nothing in this handbook is intended to grant or confer any school attendance or education rights beyond those existing by law.

We realize there are times when it is in the best interest to keep students home from school due to illness. Our goal is to provide a healthy environment for all students. Please contact your school nurse or child's doctor if you are unsure if you should keep him/her home. The following are some basic guidelines.

Your child should remain home if:

• Temperature greater than 100.4 F; may return to school when fever free for 24 hours without fever reducing medication.
• Antibiotics are prescribed; may return after taking the antibiotic for 12 to 24 hours and fever free for 24 hours without fever reducing medication. Minimum time will vary based on diagnosis (please check with your School Nurse).
• Vomiting/Diarrhea (2 or more episodes); may return when 24 hours have passed since the last episode of vomiting/diarrhea without medication.
• Cough that is persistent and interferes with normal activity.
• Distracting pain from earache, headache, sore throat or recent injury.