Exclusion Criteria for Health Conditions

Aledo ISD Health Services works to keep students healthy, safe, and ready to learn while reducing the spread of illness in schools. In general, students should stay home when they are too ill to participate in class or have symptoms that may place others at risk of illness. Aledo ISD follows guidance from Texas DSHS and district policies to maintain a healthy school community.

---

When a Student Should Stay Home:

A student should be kept home from school for any of the following:

Fever
Students should remain home if they have a fever of 100.0°F or higher and may return when they have been fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication.

Vomiting or Diarrhea
Students should stay home if they have vomiting or diarrhea and may return when they have been symptom-free for 24 hours without medication.

Uncontrolled Coughing, Severe Sore Throat, or Significant Respiratory Symptoms
Students should remain home if symptoms are severe enough to interfere with learning or suggest a contagious illness that needs medical evaluation.

Rash of Unknown Cause
Students with a new rash—especially when accompanied by fever, itching, drainage, or behavior changes—will need to stay home until evaluated, depending on the suspected cause and whether the condition is contagious.

Red or Draining Eyes
Students with eye redness and drainage suspicious for conjunctivitis will need to stay home until symptoms improve, treatment has begun, or a healthcare provider gives return-to-school guidance.

Draining Skin Lesions or Open Sores
Students with skin infections, draining wounds, or sores that cannot be fully covered will need to be excluded until treatment has started or the area can be safely covered.

Communicable Illnesses
Certain diagnosed communicable diseases require exclusion for a specific period, treatment, or clearance before a student returns to school. Texas DSHS maintains the state communicable disease chart used for exclusion and readmission decisions in schools and child-care settings.

Learn More - Communicable Diseases

---

Return to School:

• Students may return to school when they:

• Are fever-free for 24 hours without medication
• Have not vomited or had diarrhea for 24 hours without medication
• Are well enough to participate in normal school activities
• No longer require care beyond what can safely be provided at school
• Meet any disease-specific return criteria from a healthcare provider or Texas DSHS guidance

---

Important Notes for Families:

Not every illness requires exclusion from school. The decision to exclude a student is based on symptoms, the student’s ability to function in class, the risk of spreading infection, and whether the condition requires care that cannot safely be provided at school. Final decisions may be made by the school nurse or campus administration in accordance with district policy and state guidance.

Parents should report absences through Aledo ISD’s absence reporting process. Phone calls alone are not accepted as documentation, a note is required upon the student’s return in order for the absence to be excused.  For serious or life-threatening illness resulting in consecutive absences, Aledo ISD provides a separate form.

Attendance Matters - Report an Absence 

Serious & Life Threatening Illness Form