Problem
The following story and questions are designed to stimulate critical thinking through class discussion or as a brief essay response. There are no right or wrong answers to these questions.

"OK, guys, we’re late again." Shaylene Boulay calls out to her two oldest sons, Nathan Jr., 10, and Carl, 12. Grabbing the lunches Nate Sr. packed, she walks out the back door. "Come on, Michael, school time!" Shaylene peers under the porch for her 5-year-old. Their house is only a mile from the waterfront, and he loves to race cars between their dog Bubba’s big paws in the cool sand underneath the porch. "Look at you!" As Shaylene dusts him off and heads to the truck, she notices that the rash of blisters on his leg is still bright red. "Must be ant bites," she thinks.

"Have a good day!" Shaylene hands Nathan and Carl their lunches as they hop out of the truck at the middle school. Next stop, Oak Creek Elementary. As Michael starts to get out, clutching his brown lunch bag tightly, his kindergarten teacher comes rushing over. "Michael, what are you doing here today? Didn’t you give your mother the note from the nurse?"

"What note? Michael, honey, did you forget to give Mama something from school?" Michael smiles sheepishly and reaches into his shorts pocket for a wadded up piece of paper. The note says: "We believe Michael has impetigo. Since this condition is very contagious, please consult your doctor as soon as possible. We will need a note from the doctor before we can allow Michael to reenter class."

"Oh, no," Shaylene thinks. "I’m due for my shift at the diner in 15 minutes. Nobody’s home to watch Michael, and we don’t have the money to see Dr. Gaines again. And what if this rash on my arm is that thing Michael has?" She sits clutching the wheel of the old pickup, asking herself over and over, "What am I gonna do?"

Discuss why the school wants Michael to have completed treatment before he returns to class.

Step-by-step solution