Amid surge in flu, RSV cases, Fort Worth schools remind parents of absence policy

Amy McDaniel
Mark J. Terrill/AP

Cook Children’s Medical Center pediatricians, including the Urgent Care Centers, are being overwhelmed with parent requests for doctor’s notes for school absences., according to a joint statement from Cook Children’s and the Fort Worth school district.

Fort Worth ISD wants to remind families that a doctor’s note is not required for an excused absence.

This is the district’s absentee policy:

If your child is not well and unable to come to school, a doctor’s note is NOT required.

To get an excused absence due to illness:

  • Contact your school’s attendance office to communicate your child’s absence.

  • Submit a parent note in writing within five school days of your child’s return to campus. The excuse note should include the following:

  1. Student name

  2. Student ID number

  3. A written statement giving the dates and reason for absence

  4. Parent/guardian signature

  5. Parent phone number

  • If your child is absent for multiple days, contact your school for the attendance petition process.

“Like many hospitals and children’s hospitals around the country, Cook Children’s is experiencing a surge in patients diagnosed with RSV, flu and other respiratory illnesses,” the hospital said in the news release. “The increase impacts our ability to care for patients in a timely manner.”

Cook Children’s noted these symptoms to be aware of and guidance for parents:

RSV is a common respiratory virus. Some children require hospitalization, but most do not.

It is NOT necessary for your child to take a strep throat, flu or RSV test before returning to school.

Parents should NOT go to the Urgent Care or Emergency Department for only a flu or COVID test. See your pediatrician, who can test for flu, RSV, strep throat and COVID. Adults can also use at-home tests or tests at a pharmacy.

Call your pediatrician if:

  • Your child is experiencing mild respiratory symptoms but is not having difficulty breathing and is well-hydrated.

  • You need to have your child tested for RSV, the flu or COVID-19.

Seek immediate medical care if:

  • Your child has persistent fever for more than two or three days. However, any temperature greater than 100.4 in an infant under 2 months of age is considered a medical emergency.

  • You have concerns that your child is dehydrated. In dehydrated babies, parents will see fewer wet diapers or a lack of tears. Their flat spot on the head can also appear more sunken.

  • The child is breathing faster than usual or you can see the skin between the ribs being sucked in.

  • If your child requires frequent use of their albuterol rescue inhaler or is having worsening asthma symptoms.

Prevention:

  • Get the flu vaccine and stay up to date on the vaccine schedule from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

  • Get the COVID vaccine and approved boosters.

  • Teach your children to cough or sneeze into their elbow.

  • Use hand sanitizer.

  • If sick, wear a mask in public and stay home.

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