Huntsville City Schools Sick Policy

Grace Campbell spoke with the Huntsville City School District after some parents are confused as to why their kids needs a doctor's note to return to class.

Deaths under investigation.

New this evening - some parents in the huntsville city school district are confused as to why their student needs a doctor's note to return to class if they were home sick for a mild cough or sore throat.

Waay 31's grace campbell spoke with the district.

She is live outside huntsville city schools' main office.

Grace, what did the district have to say?

A parent i spoke with told me he wouldn't feel the need to take his kids to the doctor if they were feeling a little under the weather with a cough or runny nose.

But a spokesperson from the district says they're requiring a doctor's notes because they'd rather be safe than sorry.

Craig williams: we aren't taking any chances when it comes to health and safety.

Graphic of symptoms if your child is experiencing symptoms like a runny nose, headache, sore throat or any of the ones listed on the screen, the district is requiring them to have a doctor's note before returning to school.

Craig williams: even though those are many frequent signs and symptoms of just common allergies, they also happen to be symptoms of the medical pandemic we're also experiencing."

Joseph pleva:i know my kids don't like going to the doctor, we don't really like taking them to the doctor."

Joseph pleva has four students in the huntsville city school system and he's nervous this will now make parents less likely to keep potentially sick students at home.

Joseph pleva: "a lot of students or parents of students and students themselves might be less hesitant, be more hesitant to disclose that they have potential symptoms to avoid having to go to the doctor.

The district's goal is to maintain a safe and healthy learning environment, and williams says it's important parents help them achieve this goal by keeping sick students at home.

Craig williams: "all those things that, you know, many of us have experienced before or experienced pre-covid that would normally leave our children at home from school for, those are now signs and symptoms of covid.

So now we have to treat all those things differently."

The district wants to remind parents that even if their student is experiencing symptoms similar to the common cold, it could be the coronavirus and they need a doctor's note to return to school.

Live in huntsville, grace campbell, waay 31 news.