Re: Sent home from school

[Guest guest]

Get the written illness policy for the district. Also, have your doctor write a

letter describing what is normal for Nicky. If he isn't running a fever,

nauseated, or having abdominal cramping, he should be okay to stay at school.

Sharon H.

Mom to , (15, DS) and , (11)

South Carolina

" Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of

battle. "

Sent home from school

Nicky is 4 and in a special needs class at a nearby elementary school

(not our home school). Nicky tends to have soft or runny B.M.s. About

a month ago, I got a call from the nurse asking me to come get him

because he had diarrhea. I came and got him, but he didn't have

another B.M. so I sent him to school the next day. Last Thursday, I

got a call that Nicky had diarrhea and I should come get him. I did,

and the nurse told me I had to keep him home for 24 hours. Now, in my

opinion what he had was a pretty typical Nicky BM. But it escaped

from his pull up and was in his pants (probably TMI, but that's how I

knew it was " normal " consistency.) And the reason it escaped was

because they don't change him enough. When I went to take him Friday

morning I was told the nurse said he couldn't come to school. I'm

afraid if they start applying the 24 hour rule he won't be able to go

to school much at all. I've also had calls about runny noses, when

he's been acting just fine.

Any, suggestions? I've been thinking of asking to see the written

illness policy because I suspect that there isn't one. We've never

been given anything.

Anne mom to Nicky who'll probably be sent home because he sounds

congested.

[Guest guest]

Anne,

Have Nicky's ped write a note stating that he has soft/runny BMs and it is not a

reason to send him home. Also, have the ped explain that children with DS can

typically present congested and not be sick due to their low muscle tone, small

drainage tubes, etc.

My son was getting sent home frequently due to their fear of pink eye. I tried

explaining that since he only has 1 tear duct in each eye his eyes get matted

everytime he gets the least bit stuffy. The school nurse ignored me. Then last

year, I sent DH (who just happens to be a nurse and had just gotten off work so

still in his uniform) to explain the facts of life to the school nurse. No more

sending the kid home for nothing. I did ask the doctor the next time we were in

to reiterate in writing the various things Nick may present with that aren't

contagious and do not require having him sent home.

Good luck!

Cari

Sent home from school

Nicky is 4 and in a special needs class at a nearby elementary school

(not our home school). Nicky tends to have soft or runny B.M.s. About

a month ago, I got a call from the nurse asking me to come get him

because he had diarrhea. I came and got him, but he didn't have

another B.M. so I sent him to school the next day. Last Thursday, I

got a call that Nicky had diarrhea and I should come get him. I did,

and the nurse told me I had to keep him home for 24 hours. Now, in my

opinion what he had was a pretty typical Nicky BM. But it escaped

from his pull up and was in his pants (probably TMI, but that's how I

knew it was " normal " consistency.) And the reason it escaped was

because they don't change him enough. When I went to take him Friday

morning I was told the nurse said he couldn't come to school. I'm

afraid if they start applying the 24 hour rule he won't be able to go

to school much at all. I've also had calls about runny noses, when

he's been acting just fine.

Any, suggestions? I've been thinking of asking to see the written

illness policy because I suspect that there isn't one. We've never

been given anything.

Anne mom to Nicky who'll probably be sent home because he sounds

congested.

________________________________________________________________________

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[Guest guest]

We had a similar problem earlier this year (and has been at

this school since kinder.... 3+ years now, so they should know her!).

" Fell asleep in class, come get her, she must be sick. " " Coughing (from

crud dripping down her throat for a month after a head cold..... nothing

new), come get her. " " Says she doesn't feel good, come get her " etc.

etc. etc. Asked them if anyone thought that might be wise to

the system and manipulating them??????????? Did she ever act sick when

I brought her home? We math so boring that she fell asleep? Like a mom

with 26+ parent-years can't tell when my kid is sick, LOL, but a " health

assistant " (no medical training, and can't do more than take temps and

dispense bandaids) can tell just based on input from that child's aide?

Anyway, after about 4 calls in 2 weeks (plus having to keep her home an

extra day for the 24 hour rule.... don't remember which one she

allegedly violated, LOL), I took her to the ped, and brought the

following letter. She signed it, stamped it with the office info, and I

sent in with this letter for teacher, health office,

principal, etc. We have had no more " questionable " calls from the

health office since. It does not go into a whole lot of detail, but

rather I focused on the issues that I knew the'd be calling about. I

attached this letter to one I pasted into the communication notebook,

basically explaining that " as we had discussed..... not sick....... blah

blah blah. " I also made it clear that if they had a question of any

kind as to her health status, they should call me immediately and I

would come to school to make the determination per the doctor's

instructions. However, my coming to school to check her health status

was in no way an automatic " she is going home. " I wrote it such that

they couldn't have her sick at school, and then say " well, you didn't

want us to call you " or something stupid like that.

Good luck........ all kids need to stay home when they are sick, but in

particular, our kids need to be at school when they are not sick!

, mom to (11), (8 DS), and Sammy (7)

> To Whom It May Concern:

>

>

>

> I am writing concerning my patient, Kerrigan. As you know,

> has Down Syndrome. What you may not know is that people

> with Down Syndrome have a variety of medical issues, including

> obstructive sleep apnea, hypothyroidism, slower metabolism, and

> reduced cell-mediated immunity which means they are more likely to

> suffer upper respiratory infections. is generally a

> healthy little girl, but when she has a respiratory illness, her

> symptoms tend to be prolonged. Congestion, in addition to her

> difficulty sleeping (most likely due to her sleep apnea) may make her

> appear more tired during the day. Although many of 's

> symptoms are perhaps irritating to those around her, there is no

> reason for her to miss school unless she is ill.

>

>

>

> Symptoms of illness in are:

>

> Fever

>

> Abdominal pain

>

> Mucous-producing cough

>

> Vomiting

>

>

>

>

>

> Symptoms that might exhibit that do not prohibit her

> attending school:

>

> Nasal discharge

>

> Non-productive, hacking cough

>

> Gaggy-sounding cough

>

> Drainage from ear tube(s), while being treated with antibiotics

>

> Sleepiness

>

>

>

> Sincerely,

>

> -------, M.D.

>

>

> Sent home from school

>

> Nicky is 4 and in a special needs class at a nearby elementary school

> (not our home school). Nicky tends to have soft or runny B.M.s. About

> a month ago, I got a call from the nurse asking me to come get him

> because he had diarrhea. I came and got him, but he didn't have

> another B.M. so I sent him to school the next day. Last Thursday, I

> got a call that Nicky had diarrhea and I should come get him. I did,

> and the nurse told me I had to keep him home for 24 hours. Now, in my

> opinion what he had was a pretty typical Nicky BM. But it escaped

> from his pull up and was in his pants (probably TMI, but that's how I

> knew it was " normal " consistency.) And the reason it escaped was

> because they don't change him enough. When I went to take him Friday

> morning I was told the nurse said he couldn't come to school. I'm

> afraid if they start applying the 24 hour rule he won't be able to go

> to school much at all. I've also had calls about runny noses, when

> he's been acting just fine.

>

> Any, suggestions? I've been thinking of asking to see the written

> illness policy because I suspect that there isn't one. We've never

> been given anything.

>

> Anne mom to Nicky who'll probably be sent home because he sounds

> congested.

>

> __________________________________________________________

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/10/2006 9:27:20 PM Eastern Standard Time,

aedevaux@... writes:

Any, suggestions? I've been thinking of asking to see the written

illness policy because I suspect that there isn't one. We've never

been given anything.

Hi Anne,

It probably is the nursery school policy. When Micah was in school

they were told not to come to school if they had a runny green nose. Not to

come back until a normal fever for 24 hours, etc. This is pretty standard

nursery school policy. I would get a note from your pediatrician stating that

the

loose stools are normal for him and he is not ill. They would then have to

allow him into school.

Loree

,

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/11/2006 12:25:08 AM Eastern Standard Time,

leslie-kerrigan@... writes:

all kids need to stay home when they are sick, but in

particular, our kids need to be at school when they are not sick!

Boy you got that right especially when they have to miss so much school for

all the other issues they really DO have.

Opthamologists...orthopedists...allergists...etc.etc.etc. lol!!!

Loree

[Guest guest]

I would have his Doc write a note stating that this is typical of your

child. Is he on any meds like lactolose? Maybe remind them. Or tell em

its his anti constipation diet or what ever.

As far as congestion goes it might be helpful if you have a cooperative

doctor to have him or her write a letter on Down syndrome "

normalities " .

I do remember someone on a DS list I was on having trouble in the last

year regarding being harassed about runny noses etc.. they had to have a

doc write a note before they got off their back.

It sounds like a load of bologna.. and your absolutely right.. if you

let a pull up get wet with urine it will leak BM easier.

Hopefully its just ignorance instead of some other stuff..

Keep us posted. You guys are in my prayers,

Steph

Sent home from school

Nicky is 4 and in a special needs class at a nearby elementary school

(not our home school). Nicky tends to have soft or runny B.M.s. About

a month ago, I got a call from the nurse asking me to come get him

because he had diarrhea. I came and got him, but he didn't have

another B.M. so I sent him to school the next day. Last Thursday, I

got a call that Nicky had diarrhea and I should come get him. I did,

and the nurse told me I had to keep him home for 24 hours. Now, in my

opinion what he had was a pretty typical Nicky BM. But it escaped

from his pull up and was in his pants (probably TMI, but that's how I

knew it was " normal " consistency.) And the reason it escaped was

because they don't change him enough. When I went to take him Friday

morning I was told the nurse said he couldn't come to school. I'm

afraid if they start applying the 24 hour rule he won't be able to go

to school much at all. I've also had calls about runny noses, when

he's been acting just fine.

Any, suggestions? I've been thinking of asking to see the written

illness policy because I suspect that there isn't one. We've never

been given anything.

Anne mom to Nicky who'll probably be sent home because he sounds

congested.

[Guest guest]

A few years ago I got a call from the school telling me to pick up Sammy.

It seems that one of this kids in his class might have Fifth's disease. Now I

tell you the word MIGHT was the key issue. They brought up all the kids of

Sammy's class and examined them for rashes. Sammy being the hypochondriac he

is, was so scared from this, he kept looking for rashes (and kept looking

for weeks). They insisted because Sammy said the word rash, he therefore had

Fifths disease too and we had to leave work, pick him up, take him to the

doctor, yatta yatta yatta...... Oh and the worst of it was they told me that

he

could not come back to school unless he had a note stating he didn't have

the virus. Mind you, he had no symptoms at all.

It turns out not only was Sammy completely healthy, so was the initial kid

who started the whole mess. The nurse they said was just being cautious.

This is the same nurse who tells me every year that Sammy is hearing and sight

deficient, although his eye doctor and GP disagree every year.

I told the principal that, that kind of caution was called Hysteria and I

advised them that scaring my child like that was not in their best

interest...... and if they ever made me pull Sammy our of school for no good

reason, make

me pay for him to see a Doctor,get a note to say my healthy kid was healthy,

and make me miss work, I was going to hold them financially responsible.

This is not the answer all the time, but sometime hitting them in the wallet

is the only way they will listen.

Mom to Sammy, 12 DS

[Guest guest]

I walked into my oldest (non DS) son's class and was

looking around. I was thinking why isn't some of

these kids at home. One was coughing so hard he was

nearly bringing stuff up. Another kid had his nosing

running down to his chin. This is a 3rd grade

class.... I would also find out the age of the

building. I met with my son's former kindy teach and

she was hoping to move to a new school that is opening

in the area because the dust/mold etc was driving her

allergies crazy! So it could be the building!!!!

B

--- Loree5@... wrote:

>

> In a message dated 12/11/2006 12:25:08 AM Eastern

> Standard Time,

> leslie-kerrigan@... writes:

>

> all kids need to stay home when they are sick, but

> in

> particular, our kids need to be at school when they

> are not sick!

>

>

>

>

> Boy you got that right especially when they have to

> miss so much school for

> all the other issues they really DO have.

>

Opthamologists...orthopedists...allergists...etc.etc.etc.

> lol!!!

>

> Loree

>

>

> [Non-text portions of this message have been

> removed]

>

>

>

> Click reply to all for messages to go to the list.

> Just hit reply for messages to go to the sender of

> the message.

>

[Guest guest]

When Nic was younger he had very poor drainage too. They would call and say he

has pink eye but really, it was mucus draining from his eyes....it would also

drain from his ears too.yuck, I know but I told them the sa,e thing....if he's

not feverish they can't sent him home. In those days he would get a horribly

runny nose from Nov to March. Now that he's older (bigger) we don't seem to

have that drainage issue any more.

Alos, our Dr said green mucus does not always mean infection---we had issues

with that too.

Di

From: CMancari@...

Date: 2006/12/10 Sun PM 08:44:23 CST

aedevaux@...,

Subject: Re: Sent home from school

Anne,

Have Nicky's ped write a note stating that he has soft/runny BMs and it is not a

reason to send him home. Also, have the ped explain that children with DS can

typically present congested and not be sick due to their low muscle tone, small

drainage tubes, etc.

My son was getting sent home frequently due to their fear of pink eye. I tried

explaining that since he only has 1 tear duct in each eye his eyes get matted

everytime he gets the least bit stuffy. The school nurse ignored me. Then last

year, I sent DH (who just happens to be a nurse and had just gotten off work so

still in his uniform) to explain the facts of life to the school nurse. No more

sending the kid home for nothing. I did ask the doctor the next time we were in

to reiterate in writing the various things Nick may present with that aren't

contagious and do not require having him sent home.

Good luck!

Cari

Sent home from school

Nicky is 4 and in a special needs class at a nearby elementary school

(not our home school). Nicky tends to have soft or runny B.M.s. About

a month ago, I got a call from the nurse asking me to come get him

because he had diarrhea. I came and got him, but he didn't have

another B.M. so I sent him to school the next day. Last Thursday, I

got a call that Nicky had diarrhea and I should come get him. I did,

and the nurse told me I had to keep him home for 24 hours. Now, in my

opinion what he had was a pretty typical Nicky BM. But it escaped

from his pull up and was in his pants (probably TMI, but that's how I

knew it was " normal " consistency.) And the reason it escaped was

because they don't change him enough. When I went to take him Friday

morning I was told the nurse said he couldn't come to school. I'm

afraid if they start applying the 24 hour rule he won't be able to go

to school much at all. I've also had calls about runny noses, when

he's been acting just fine.

Any, suggestions? I've been thinking of asking to see the written

illness policy because I suspect that there isn't one. We've never

been given anything.

Anne mom to Nicky who'll probably be sent home because he sounds

congested.

________________________________________________________________________

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[Guest guest]

,

Your possible Fifth's disease incident reminds me of Nick's supposed Lice

incident in kindergarten. My guess the aide in the classroom super inspected

him everyday. Anyhow, one morning his sitter gave him Cream of Wheat for

breakfast and I guess from what she told me he wasn't in a cooperative mood at

breakfast and some of it ended up on him. The sitter thought she had it all out

before he went to school. I'm at work and get a phone call to come get him he

as lice. I get there and Nick looks at me and says " I's got bugs! " I drive

him home, scrub his head, try to wake Jeff (he's a nurse), finally get him up

and we go to the health department (at that time they had to check them). The

nurse there says, I can't find any. I asked her if I could have gotten them

all. She says nope, writes a note saying he's clean. (Nick's got super thick

dandruff at times, Jeff says it's more like ecezma, so I figure that must be

what it is and write a note to that effect.) Take him to sitter's the next

morning and tell her what happened and she looks at me and says, " It was

probably some Cream of Wheat I missed. " So we added that to the note. For

weeks, then months and occasionally even years later we would hear Nick say, " I

got bugs! " Took forever to break him of that one!

Cari

Re: Sent home from school

A few years ago I got a call from the school telling me to pick up Sammy.

It seems that one of this kids in his class might have Fifth's disease. Now I

tell you the word MIGHT was the key issue. They brought up all the kids of

Sammy's class and examined them for rashes. Sammy being the hypochondriac he

is, was so scared from this, he kept looking for rashes (and kept looking

for weeks). They insisted because Sammy said the word rash, he therefore had

Fifths disease too and we had to leave work, pick him up, take him to the

doctor, yatta yatta yatta...... Oh and the worst of it was they told me that he

could not come back to school unless he had a note stating he didn't have

the virus. Mind you, he had no symptoms at all.

It turns out not only was Sammy completely healthy, so was the initial kid

who started the whole mess. The nurse they said was just being cautious.

This is the same nurse who tells me every year that Sammy is hearing and sight

deficient, although his eye doctor and GP disagree every year.

I told the principal that, that kind of caution was called Hysteria and I

advised them that scaring my child like that was not in their best

interest...... and if they ever made me pull Sammy our of school for no good

reason, make

me pay for him to see a Doctor,get a note to say my healthy kid was healthy,

and make me miss work, I was going to hold them financially responsible.

This is not the answer all the time, but sometime hitting them in the wallet

is the only way they will listen.

Mom to Sammy, 12 DS

[Guest guest]

I work in the schools and can I just say something about the runny noses: if

they sent all the kids home that had them.....they would be no one at school!

Geez!

Sent home from school

Nicky is 4 and in a special needs class at a nearby elementary school

(not our home school). Nicky tends to have soft or runny B.M.s. About

a month ago, I got a call from the nurse asking me to come get him

because he had diarrhea. I came and got him, but he didn't have

another B.M. so I sent him to school the next day. Last Thursday, I

got a call that Nicky had diarrhea and I should come get him. I did,

and the nurse told me I had to keep him home for 24 hours. Now, in my

opinion what he had was a pretty typical Nicky BM. But it escaped

from his pull up and was in his pants (probably TMI, but that's how I

knew it was " normal " consistency.) And the reason it escaped was

because they don't change him enough. When I went to take him Friday

morning I was told the nurse said he couldn't come to school. I'm

afraid if they start applying the 24 hour rule he won't be able to go

to school much at all. I've also had calls about runny noses, when

he's been acting just fine.

Any, suggestions? I've been thinking of asking to see the written

illness policy because I suspect that there isn't one. We've never

been given anything.

Anne mom to Nicky who'll probably be sent home because he sounds

congested.

__________________________________________________________

Check out the new AOL. Most comprehensive set of free safety and security

tools, free access to millions of high-quality videos from across the web, free

AOL Mail and more.