Student Illness Procedure

According to the District School Board of Pasco County student sick procedures, students are not able to remain in school with the following symptoms (the list is not exhaustive): 

• Fever (100.4 or greater)/Chills
• Sore Throat
• Repeated episodes of vomiting/diarrhea
• Severe Cold - runny nose/disruptive cough that prevents the student from sleeping at night or disrupts normal activities 
• Has distracting pain from earache, headaches, or sore throat 

Students exhibiting these symptoms must be excluded from school and remain home for 24 hours after the symptoms are gone without using over-the-counter medications to treat these symptoms. The school must have a phone number where you can be contacted during the day and an emergency number in the event you cannot be reached. Please be sure that arrangements can be made to transport your student home from school and that childcare is available in case of illness. 

Students that have been diagnosed with a respiratory illness (Covid-19, Flu, or RSV) may return to school according to the above procedures. If you have questions please reach out to your school nurse or the school health supervisor, Amy Ponce - aponce@pasco.k12.fl.us. 

Assistive Medical Equipment: Crutches, Canes, Walkers, Wheelchairs, Braces, Splints

Students may need medical devices—such as crutches, wheelchairs, braces, or splints—to stay safe or help with healing. These devices are prescribed and fitted by a healthcare provider.

To support your child’s safety at school, we must receive written medical orders from the healthcare provider. These orders tell the school health team how long the device is needed, any activity restrictions, what monitoring is required, and whether your child will need help during the school day.

Providing this information helps us ensure your child can participate safely and comfortably while at school.

Physical Education Exemptions

If a student needs to be excused from PE, the school must receive a written note from a physician, advanced registered nurse practitioner, or physician assistant that includes the length of the exemption. The school principal will be notified of all approved exemptions.

PRIVACY RIGHTS UNDER THE HEALTH INFORMATION PORTABILITY ACCOUNTABILITY ACT (HIPAA)

Protected health information includes demographic and medical information that concerns the past, present, or future physical and mental health of your student or yourself. Demographic information could include name, address, telephone number, social security number, and any other means of identifying you or your child as a specific person. Protected health information contains specific information that identifies a person or can be used to identify a person. You or your child's protected health information may be used or disclosed for treatment (emergency care, for example), payments, and health care operations. The school district may send medical information to Medicaid, insurance companies, or community agencies to pay for services provided to your child or yourself. Some protected health information can be disclosed without your written authorization, as allowed by law.

Those circumstances include:

• Reporting abuse; • Investigations related to missing children; • Internal investigations and audits or by government agencies; • Public health purposes, including vital statistics, disease reporting, public health surveillance, investigations, interventions, and regulation of health professionals; • District medical examiner investigations; • Research approved by the Department of Health or school board; • Court orders, warrants, or subpoenas; • Law enforcement purposes.

You have the following rights as an individual or as a parent:

• You can request to restrict the use and disclosure of your or your child's health information. • You have the right to be assured that information will be kept confidential. • You can inspect and receive a copy of your or your child's protected health information. • You have the right to correct your or your child's health information.

Disclosure of information to school staff is made with your permission to provide maximum safety to you and your child. This would be discussed with the parent before any disclosure of health information.

Revised 04/2026