How much of your child's illness is a parent required to divulge to school staff?

[Belle0101]

*I am probably giving you TMI but I always seem to leave out a detail that somebody wonders about. I'm trying anticipate what questions there might be*

DS12 was sent home from school with instructions from the principal for us to list specifically what the syptoms from his absences have been.

Before we go any further, if he had ever had a highly communicable illness or disease, one that put other students or staff at risk, I would have made sure to inform the proper persons. That is totally different from what I am asking.

Probably the next thing you're wondering is, how many absences are we talking? The simple answer is 15. They are allowed to miss 10 days per semester, 20 total days. Each semester is 90 days. His 15 are spread over 2 semesters. He missed 8 in the first and 7 in the second.

Is this normal? For him, yes. He has been prone to illnesses since he was born. He was hospitalized when he was 9 mos. old for an illness. That was a scary time for us.

I always call the office when he is ill, I always send him back to school with a note and I've talked to his Guidance Counselor in the past. I explained that he has always been prone to illness and that if his school records were looked at it, they would see that 15 is actually low for him. And, he has always maintained his High Honor Roll status. His work does not suffer from being absent.

What have his illnesses been? Colds and flu. Nothing that he's needed to see the doctor for this year. Thankfully. Feb. of 2011 he had pnuemonia. Another scary time.

So now we're back to the beginning - it's no longer ok to have said that he was ill or sick or had a cold or the flu. They are asking for details - runny nose, vomitting, diarhhea, fever, etc - from each day was absent. They provided me with the dates he was absent, the first being 08/22.

I can't remember what his symptoms were and even if I could, can they even ask? I'm thinking of HIPPA but I'm not sure if that applies here.

I guess I could just make up some symptoms for the dates I can't remember but I wonder, what are they doing with this info?

 

[handinpocket]

I would just make up the symptoms and be done with it.

 

[Mermaid02]

*I am probably giving you TMI but I always seem to leave out a detail that somebody wonders about. I'm trying anticipate what questions there might be*

DS12 was sent home from school with instructions from the principal for us to list specifically what the syptoms from his absences have been.

Before we go any further, if he had ever had a highly communicable illness or disease, one that put other students or staff at risk, I would have made sure to inform the proper persons. That is totally different from what I am asking.

Probably the next thing you're wondering is, how many absences are we talking? The simple answer is 15. They are allowed to miss 10 days per semester, 20 total days. Each semester is 90 days. His 15 are spread over 2 semesters. He missed 8 in the first and 7 in the second.

Is this normal? For him, yes. He has been prone to illnesses since he was born. He was hospitalized when he was 9 mos. old for an illness. That was a scary time for us.

I always call the office when he is ill, I always send him back to school with a note and I've talked to his Guidance Counselor in the past. I explained that he has always been prone to illness and that if his school records were looked at it, they would see that 15 is actually low for him. And, he has always maintained his High Honor Roll status. His work does not suffer from being absent.

What have his illnesses been? Colds and flu. Nothing that he's needed to see the doctor for this year. Thankfully. Feb. of 2011 he had pnuemonia. Another scary time.

So now we're back to the beginning - it's no longer ok to have said that he was ill or sick or had a cold or the flu. They are asking for details - runny nose, vomitting, diarhhea, fever, etc - from each day was absent. They provided me with the dates he was absent, the first being 08/22.

I can't remember what his symptoms were and even if I could, can they even ask? I'm thinking of HIPPA but I'm not sure if that applies here.

I guess I could just make up some symptoms for the dates I can't remember but I wonder, what are they doing with this info?

I know our "higher ups" want symptoms so they can track illnesses in our work place. Or, they might just see his absences as excessive and want to know WHY he has been out so much.
Frankly, I don't think it's any of the school's business what your son has- if he had a condition you didn't want them to know about I don't think they can MAKE you tell them. I don't think HIPAA (Health Information Portability and Accountability Act) applies here, it has to do with health care workers.

 

[brookmey]

Is the school trying to verify that he was sick and not just skipping or feeling too tired to go to school that day? I'm not saying that's your case, but I know there are parents out there who do that. My SIL lets my nephew stay home whenever he feels like it and they have had to go before the school board to explain his absences in detail (that she made up) because he had so many. More than your son.

DD's elementary school asks detailed questions like that the few times I've called to excuse her from school. Once I called to tell them she had the flu and they asked me how did I know she had the flu, had she seen a doctor? I said no, she's been throwing up and is showing all the classic symptoms of the stomach flu. They suggested that I not make diagnoses without seeing a doctor because I might be wrong. They then asked for specifics on her symptoms. At first it bugged me, but I really do think it's because they want to make sure the kid is legitimately sick enough to miss school.

 

[Christine]

My son never misses much school. I've gotten more lax with him than with my older DD. I never used to let her miss for a sniffle. You can't really do that in the workplace so I didn't want to create those habits with her. However, my son has asthma and oftentimes gets way more affected by a simple cold. So I've relented and let him stay home. I'm not used to dealing with "notes" too much because of this but I always give some details when I send in a sick note. I know I don't *have* to but I always think, in a school environment, that the administration might like to know what he's sick with just in case there is some sort of similar outbreak (such as with a stomach virus).

So, on his notes I have put "he had a fairly severe cold" or "he had a sore throat and low-grade fever" or whatever the excuse is.

I don't think it's a big deal to do it; however, I do think it is odd that they are coming back to you at this point.

My guess is that it is their way of trying to do a mini-crackdown on people they think are having excessive absences.

 

[badblackpug]

*I am probably giving you TMI but I always seem to leave out a detail that somebody wonders about. I'm trying anticipate what questions there might be*

DS12 was sent home from school with instructions from the principal for us to list specifically what the syptoms from his absences have been.

Before we go any further, if he had ever had a highly communicable illness or disease, one that put other students or staff at risk, I would have made sure to inform the proper persons. That is totally different from what I am asking.

Probably the next thing you're wondering is, how many absences are we talking? The simple answer is 15. They are allowed to miss 10 days per semester, 20 total days. Each semester is 90 days. His 15 are spread over 2 semesters. He missed 8 in the first and 7 in the second.

Is this normal? For him, yes. He has been prone to illnesses since he was born. He was hospitalized when he was 9 mos. old for an illness. That was a scary time for us.

I always call the office when he is ill, I always send him back to school with a note and I've talked to his Guidance Counselor in the past. I explained that he has always been prone to illness and that if his school records were looked at it, they would see that 15 is actually low for him. And, he has always maintained his High Honor Roll status. His work does not suffer from being absent.

What have his illnesses been? Colds and flu. Nothing that he's needed to see the doctor for this year. Thankfully. Feb. of 2011 he had pnuemonia. Another scary time.

So now we're back to the beginning - it's no longer ok to have said that he was ill or sick or had a cold or the flu. They are asking for details - runny nose, vomitting, diarhhea, fever, etc - from each day was absent. They provided me with the dates he was absent, the first being 08/22.

I can't remember what his symptoms were and even if I could, can they even ask? I'm thinking of HIPPA but I'm not sure if that applies here.

I guess I could just make up some symptoms for the dates I can't remember but I wonder, what are they doing with this info?

Interesting... though 15 days is a lot. My kids aren't out a a lot, but the generic, "please excuse Billy from school on 5/8/2012 he wasn't feeling well." Usually suffices. However I will add some confusing perspective.

I am a nurse, I work in an ER. When we give school/work excuses we are only allowed to state the date that the person was seen and when they may return to school or work and with what restrictions. Example:

"To whom it may concern,

John Doe was seen in the Big Hospital Emergency department on 5/8/12. He may return to school on 5/9/12 with the following restrictions...."

We never list a complaint or diagnosis.

However, I worked at a job that separated your paid time of into sick/personal/and vacation leave. If you called out sick and gave a diagnosis such as "I have the flu." You needed a doctors clearance to return to work as that was an infectious disease. If you called out sick and said, "I have an upset stomach," that was fine. Now no one liked this policy of having to divulge personal information to use your sick time, but they wanted an actual sickness rather than "I'm calling out sick," I guess to make sure you were using sick time on being sick. (like you couldn't just lie) but anyway... people started embarrassing the nursing supervisor by providing very TMI details.

 

[scrapquitler]

I've not experienced them asking for specific symptoms, and frankly I think it is a Hiipa violation for them to do so. I would get a copy of the attendance policy (for example, ours states "Must be fever free for 24 hours to return to school") and write a note that "Joe was absent on the following dates 1/2, 2/3-2/5, 3/16, etc because he was ill enough to be kept home per the attendance policy"

If they pressed the issue, I'd call the doctor and ask him to write a note (even though he didn't see your son for those days) stating "Given Joe's medical history, his mother kept him home on xyz dates per the instructions I had previously given"

 

[teacherforhi]

I've not experienced them asking for specific symptoms, and frankly I think it is a Hiipa violation for them to do so. I would get a copy of the attendance policy (for example, ours states "Must be fever free for 24 hours to return to school") and write a note that "Joe was absent on the following dates 1/2, 2/3-2/5, 3/16, etc because he was ill enough to be kept home per the attendance policy"

If they pressed the issue, I'd call the doctor and ask him to write a note (even though he didn't see your son for those days) stating "Given Joe's medical history, his mother kept him home on xyz dates per the instructions I had previously given"

In NC, a high school student can miss 15 days a year, 8 in one semester and 7 in the other. Normally, we don't require anything more than a parent's note to excuse an absence. Having said that, however, once the absences start to get up to maximum, the school system has the option to start requiring a doctor's note to excuse an absence. Unfortunately, there are just too many parents who let their students stay out any time the child feels like it.

 

[Bungle]

When a kid misses 10 days it is open to investigation here. Maybe they are wanting a doctors note or something since 15 days is a lot.

 

[HelenePA]

When a kid misses 10 days it is open to investigation here. Maybe they are wanting a doctors note or something since 15 days is a lot.

Same here, CPS comes a knocking after 10 days or 3 unexcused days! My oldest has 9 days out and is sick again but if I keep her out I'm pretty sure I'll get a knock on my door.. so off to school she goes only 16 school days left thank god

 

[Janepod]

You asked, what are they doing with the info. Typically schools are audited based on attendance and poor attendance profiles affects their funding at a district/state level. Empty seats cost them money. They probably want to be sure your son is really, truly sick.

 

[angwill]

I would look at what the school rules are. Ours are that the kids need to be in school unless they are coughing bad enough to disturb learning, have a fever, vomiting or diarrhea. I would simply rotate the order I put those particular symptoms in or I would get graphic in detail of colors, amount etc for each day he was sick. Otherwise tell them it's none of their business since he did not miss the total allowed days per semester so they can just go scratch.

I am so sick of our school getting so strict and nosy about stuff anymore. Even if they have a note from the doctor here they want details, and extra copy of the note, etc and then if they miss PE class even with a doctors note the kids have to write two essays on PE articles for each day out. It is getting ridiculous anymore.

 

[Erin1700]

Here you need a dr's note after 10 days. A mommy note will do for up to 10 days.

 

[RitaZ.]

In our school district, if a child has too many absences, the parents can be taken to court. I know one mom that was taken to court twice due to her daughter's excessive absences.

Check out the attendance policy for your district or your child's school. That's the only way to know why the school is requesting more information from you.

 

[Becky2005]

I know at our school they give you a message on the attendance line about "in conjunction with the Health department we are tracking illnesses" or something along that lines but only grade school/middle school -- High school doesn't care. It pretty much started when the swine flu hit a few years ago.

I would make up something for the dates you have no clue but I wouldn't put something like fever or vomiting because if you then send him to school the next day, it could be an issue if you have the 24-hour fever/vomiting free rule.

I honestly don't think it matters what you tell them though. I know ours says they will call you back if you don't provide it but most of the time I just say "X is not feeling well so I'm keeping them home today".

 

[chamonix]

*I am probably giving you TMI but I always seem to leave out a detail that somebody wonders about. I'm trying anticipate what questions there might be*

DS12 was sent home from school with instructions from the principal for us to list specifically what the syptoms from his absences have been.

Before we go any further, if he had ever had a highly communicable illness or disease, one that put other students or staff at risk, I would have made sure to inform the proper persons. That is totally different from what I am asking.

Probably the next thing you're wondering is, how many absences are we talking? The simple answer is 15. They are allowed to miss 10 days per semester, 20 total days. Each semester is 90 days. His 15 are spread over 2 semesters. He missed 8 in the first and 7 in the second.

Is this normal? For him, yes. He has been prone to illnesses since he was born. He was hospitalized when he was 9 mos. old for an illness. That was a scary time for us.

I always call the office when he is ill, I always send him back to school with a note and I've talked to his Guidance Counselor in the past. I explained that he has always been prone to illness and that if his school records were looked at it, they would see that 15 is actually low for him. And, he has always maintained his High Honor Roll status. His work does not suffer from being absent.

What have his illnesses been? Colds and flu. Nothing that he's needed to see the doctor for this year. Thankfully. Feb. of 2011 he had pnuemonia. Another scary time.

So now we're back to the beginning - it's no longer ok to have said that he was ill or sick or had a cold or the flu. They are asking for details - runny nose, vomitting, diarhhea, fever, etc - from each day was absent. They provided me with the dates he was absent, the first being 08/22.

I can't remember what his symptoms were and even if I could, can they even ask? I'm thinking of HIPPA but I'm not sure if that applies here.

I guess I could just make up some symptoms for the dates I can't remember but I wonder, what are they doing with this info?

To answer your question, you are not required to give them any details or information on your son's health/illness/symptoms. Obviously, school district's policies on absences for illness vary, but it sounds like you have read and understand your district's policy....and you didn't say it mentions reporting symptoms, or requiring any documentation or doctor's note for the number of absences your son has had this year. It sounds like you followed the policy in regards to calling in on the days he missed, and sent notes when he returned, etc. If I replied at all to that message (and it's likely I would ignore it as it's not required) would be short and to the point. I would not lie, as there is no reason to lie. Quote their policy. My reply might look something like this:

According to the Parent Handbook on page 16, students "may miss 20 school days due to illness; or 10 in each semester". According to the message I received from you, my son Joseph missed 8 days in the Fall semester and 7 days in the Spring semester due to illness, for a total of 15 days in the 2011-2012 school year. As this falls well within the guidelines set out in District 100's Excused Illness Policy, there is no reason to detail his personal medical history.

If you feel the need to add more, you could write (as mentioned upthread), "Joe was absent on the following dates because he was ill enough to be kept home per the illness and attendance policy" (or whatever they call it in your district).

Your son's medical history and symptoms are noones business. As long as you are within the district's guidelines, I wouldn't worry about it all. In fact, I wouldn't give it a second thought. If they (the teacher or principal) don't like the district policy, they need to take it up with the superintendent or the school board. Not your problem! As long as you called, sent notes, etc as is spelled out within the district policy, of course. Don't let them bully you into lying or disclosing.

(Edited to add, you are right, HIPPA really doesn't apply here)

 

[kirstenb1]

In our children's school, for an illness to be an excused absence, there has to be a doctor's note, or something else documentible, like a death in the family. So my kids are rarely absent, because we can't afford zeroes for grades.

 

[Poohforyou]

I know our school require parents report symptoms when calling in to report an absence. It's on the attendance line message. Our state requires school to track and report flu symptoms so I guess they just find it easier to have everyone report symptoms. I haven't had an issue with that but if my child ever had symptoms I felt were personal and not related to the flu I'd just make something up.

 

[Poohforyou]

In our children's school, for an illness to be an excused absence, there has to be a doctor's note, or something else documentible, like a death in the family. So my kids are rarely absent, because we can't afford zeroes for grades.

Your kids will get a zero if they miss school because of a bad cold that doesn't warrant to trip to the dr? That's crazy. If our district had that policy I'd be very vocal at every board meeting until a change was made.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

When a kid misses 10 days it is open to investigation here. Maybe they are wanting a doctors note or something since 15 days is a lot.

Same here.

We get the nasty gram after 3 days in a row.

For some of the illnesses I make sure to take her to the doctor and turn in a doctor's note. We also have to list the reason for the absence on the attendance line as well here.

When we lived in TX you had to basically go to the doctor everytime your kid was sick and have it backed with a doctor's note. I don't miss that.