By Kelsey Bishop, Reporter
“I’m sick, can I go home?” is probably the most frequent question Kaneland High school nurses get asked.
“On average, about 140 students stay home or get sent home [each day],” attendance secretary Cathy Matthews said.
Are all of the illnesses real? School nurse Barbara Giese uses several criteria to determine whether to send a student home or back to class.
Stomachaches and sore throats are the most common reasons why students are sent home, Giese said. However, students can’t just walk into the office and say that they don’t feel good and get sent home.
“When in doubt, we consult with the parents or guardian. We call them and they have the final say,” Giese said.
According to Giese, symptoms that typically indicate that the student is sick enough to go home include stomachaches which lead to a pale or gray face; exhaustion or looking very tired; white patches in the back of the throat; a sore throat or cough, accompanied by a temperature of at least 100 degrees; dizziness; headaches; and vomiting.
Injuries that occur throughout the day, which may require stitches or other care, as well as emotional issues, can also be reasons to send a student home, Giese said. A death in the family, a divorce, or another significant life event can sometimes be hard for teenagers to cope with.