My First grader...when to Take Them Out of School?

Ah yes the tummy ache. I have a tummy acher and headacher. Usually when she does it (she's 12 now) it's because something is going on at school that is upsetting her emotionally. Although in the beginning I think it was due to drinking chocolate milk with lunch. I would check in to see if everything is going OK at school and when the tummy ache happens if there is something that could be causing it diet or exercise wise.

I usually tell my daughter to go back to class until the next break and if she still feels bad she can come home. She usually stays in school.

Hope everything's OK with your sweet girl.

It's always hard to know what's really going on. I think I would tell the nurse when she calls to have my daughter sit in the office for awhile and see if the stomach ache goes away. If she knows you're not going to run right down there then she might not say she's sick if she's not. Also, once you pick her up from school, you should tell her she has to stay in bed or at least lay quietly on the couch. Kids that are too sick to go to school, must stay laying down. No outside, no running around the house playing. She must sit quietly and read or work on school work that you either pick up when you pick her up or work that you make up for her to do. This way staying home from school is not fun especially when she has to continue laying quietly all evening - sickness doesn't magically go away when the dismissal bell rings!

I try to make my son stick it out unless he is running a fever. Everyonce in a while he will "really" be sick but most of the time he was well enough to stay at school.

She might be trying to get your attention or as you suggested, following the behavior of a friend. When you observe her feeling better, take her back to school. I would not let her play or continue with her normal routine the days she comes home from school. You could say, "I am sorry , remember you are sick". Before I pick her up from school I would make sure she is not dehydrated. Dehydration can make her have stomach aches and feel sick and also low blood sugar. You mentioned she ate normally...maybe her blood sugar level dropped. Just some thoughts.
M.