School nurses play a critical role in assessing student health and preventing the spread of illness. Nurses should use clinical judgment to determine whether a student is well enough to remain in school, be sent home, or require further evaluation. If a student or staff member is not well enough to learn or participate in school activities, they should be sent home, regardless of whether they are tested for a specific illness. Recommended public health guidance for schools can be seen at this CDC link.
Clinical Judgment: School nurses should assess symptoms and determine if a student should remain in school. If symptoms interfere with participation in school activities, the student should be sent home.
Masking: If a student is being sent home due to illness, they may be required to wear a mask while awaiting pick-up. The decision to require masking should be based on clinical discretion.
Return to School: A student may return to school once symptoms have improved, and they meet school criteria for their illness. Testing, such as for COVID-19, should not be required for return.
Vaccinations: Schools should encourage students and staff to stay current on recommended vaccinations.
Hand Hygiene: Encourage frequent and thorough handwashing with soap and water to prevent the spread of germs.
Respiratory Etiquette: Promote covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow.
Cleaning and Disinfection: Routine cleaning of high-touch surfaces should be maintained.
- Ventilation: Ensure proper airflow in classrooms and shared spaces.
School settings may see a variety of illnesses, including:
- Respiratory illnesses: Influenza, RSV, common colds, COVID-19
- Gastrointestinal illnesses: Norovirus, viral gastroenteritis
- Vaccine-preventable diseases: Measles, mumps, pertussis, chickenpox
- Skin and contact infections: Impetigo, hand-foot- and-mouth disease, scabies
Schools should follow best practices for managing the specific illness.
For specific outbreak management guidance related to flu and GI illness, refer to:
- Flu Outbreak Management
- Norovirus and Gastrointestinal Illness Outbreaks
If you suspect an illness outbreak in your school and have questions, contact your Local Health Office.
Schools are required to report certain diseases and outbreaks under Vermont’s Communicable Disease Reporting Rule. Reportable conditions include:
COVID-19
Influenza A
Vaccine-preventable diseases (e.g., measles, mumps, pertussis, rubella, varicella)
How to report a communicable disease:
To report an outbreak, please use the Vermont Department of Health Outbreak Report Form - SMART Program - SMART Program.
To report individual cases of COVID-19 (such as a parent’s report that a child is sick with COVID-19), please use the COVID-19 Case Report form.
With questions or to report individual cases of other disease, you can contact your Local Health Office (preferred) with your contact information.
You can contact the Health Department’s Infectious Disease Epidemiology team at 802-863-7240 Option 2 (Mon-Fri 7:45 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.)
For the full list of reportable diseases and reporting procedures, visit the Communicable Disease Reporting Rule.
| Resource | Description |
|---|---|
| Preventing the Spread of Infections in K–12 Schools | Public health guidance from the CDC |
| Vermont Department of Health COVID-19 page | General community guidance on preventing COVID-19, vaccines, testing and symptoms, and treatment. |
| School COVID-19 Reporting Tool | Find out information on what tests need to be reported, where to report them, and what is included in the reports. |
| AOE Message to Superintendents about Medically Vulnerable Students | Information on accommodations for medically vulnerable students. |
| Vermont Department of Health Influenza (Flu) page | General community guidance on preventing the Flu, vaccines, testing and symptoms, and treatment. |
| Flu Outbreak Management Resources | Information on what to do if you suspect a flu outbreak in your school. |
| Vermont Department of Health Norovirus and Managing Outbreaks page | Information on Norovirus and what to do if you suspect an outbreak in your school. |
| Vermont Department of Health Respiratory Illnesses page | General community guidance on preventing respiratory illness, vaccines, testing and symptoms, and treatment. |