JGCC Communicable Diseases

JGCC 

Communicable Diseases 

Any student noted by a physician, or the school nurse, or local health officer as having a communicable disease may be excluded from school for the duration of the illness. The student will be readmitted to regular classes upon termination of the illness, as authorized by the student’s physician, the local health officer, or after the expiration of any period of isolation or quarantine. 

The board reserves the right to require a written statement from the student’s physician or local health officer indicating that the student is free from all symptoms of the disease. 

If a student is absent from regular classes for more than three consecutive days or the principal has been notified that a student has or is suspected of having a communicable disease, the principal shall determine whether a release shall be obtained from the student's physician or local health department before the student reenters school. 

Decisions regarding the type of education and the setting for provision of educational services for a student with a communicable disease shall be based on the child’s medical condition, the child’s educational needs, and  the expected type of interaction with others in the educational setting. Final decisions will be made by school administration after receiving input from the student’s physician, public health personnel, the student’s parent or guardian, and personnel associated with the proposed care or educational setting. 

Regulation Concerning Pediculosis Management within USD 443  

It is the position of the National Association of School Nurses, as well as the Kansas Department of Health and Environment that the management of pediculosis (infestation by head lice) should not disrupt the education process. No disease is associated with head lice, and in-school transmission is considered to be rare. The KDHE states "frequent screenings for lice in schools have not been shown to be effective in the control of head lice. Head lice infestation is a mild health condition without serious health consequences for a child, and should not be considered as a major health threat to those infested or those potentially exposed." Both the KDHE and NASN recommend that children found with live head lice should remain in class until the conclusion of the school day. Per KDHE suggestion, "school policies should reflect the mild nature of this health condition and the impracticality of total elimination. Policies and practices should have minimal disruptive effect on children’s educational experiences and minimal stigmatizing impact on children."  

Taking all of this information into consideration, the recommended USD 443 regulation concerning  student pediculosis management within USD 443 is:  

• Any student found with pediculosis will be sent home at the end of the school day and parents will be  notified as soon as possible. 
• The student will have no more than two (2) calendar days to receive treatment and return to school.
• Once treatment has been administered, the student will return to school and be re-examined by the  School Nurse before returning to the classroom. If a student has been dismissed for pediculosis more  than once during a school year, the parent may be asked to show proof of treatment before the student is re-admitted to school. 
• The student will be re-admitted to class if no head lice are found. 

Adoption Date: 06/06/2006, Revised: 06/08/2009; 03/08/2016; 01/25/2021; 01/23/2023