Issue link: http://hvparent.uberflip.com/i/892003
16 Hudson Valley Parent n November 2017 Know the facts Children are exposed to a lot of infections as they age. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), children of any age will be exposed to a lot of infections in their first year of group child care. However, if a first year of child care is during infancy, a child may have as many as 8 to 12 more colds than a child would have if cared for at home without exposure to siblings or other children. During the second year of child care attendance, the number of respiratory illnesses begins to decrease because exposure to so many germs causes rapid development of the immune system. Diarrhea occurs once or twice a year in the typical child. The AAP states that the primary reasons for exclusion from child care or school are that the condition prevents the child from participating comfortably in activities, results in a need for care that is greater than staff members can provide without compromising the health and safety of other children and poses a risk of spread of harmful disease to others. Pressure from the schools According to Elizabeth Mullins, mother of 18-year-old twins Alison and Kristen, 17-year-old John and 13-year-old Kevin, the school districts are also making it harder on parents because of the amount of unexcused and excused absences that a child can have. "In my district if a student has more than 10 unexcused absences, the districts are legally required to report the student to PINS (person in need of suspen- sion)," says Mullins. "Even though a parent knows their child is sick, they are reluctant to keep them home. Many will send them in, tell them to Preschool through Eighth Grade Traditional learning in an innovative environment 415 Route 343, Millbrook, NY 12545 845.677.5014 ■ www.dutchessday.org twhiting@dutchessdaysch.org WHERE YOUNG MINDS GROW SEE WHAT'S NEW AT DUTHCESS DAY SCHOOL… ■ Renovated performing arts center, library and classrooms ■ Merit scholarship for a rising 6th or 7th grader TOO SICK FOR SCHOOL (Continued from Page 15)