Dorsey-Hollins followed school guidelines and kept her home when she had a cough or a sore throat — or worse — until she was completely better. During the pandemic, schools urged parents and children to stay home at any sign of illness. Fort Worth Independent School District, where Dorsey-Hollins’ youngest daughter attends kindergarten, advises staying home if a child has a cough, sore throat or rash. Some schools in San Diego County seem unaware of California's new guidance allowing kids to attend school while mildly sick, said Tracy Schmidt, who oversees attendance for the county Office of Education. It gives her hope that as more schools and parents learn about this guidance, students will miss less school.

---

Persons: Trenace Dorsey, Hollins, Dorsey, “, ”, Hedy Chang, ” Chang, Hollins ’, can’t, Claire McCarthy, McCarthy, “ It’s, Malika Elwin, she’s, haven’t, who’ve, Noha Aboelata, Tracy Schmidt Organizations: The American Academy of Pediatrics, Fort Worth Independent School District, Austin Independent School District, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, CDC, Boston Public Schools, Roots Community Health Center, of Education, Associated Press Locations: Fort Worth , Texas, California, Texas, New York City, Montgomery, Boston, Long, Oakland , California, San Diego County, AP.org