Nurse's Office

HEALTH

Health Service Issues

The school employs a part-time nurse who oversees physical, dental, eye and ear examinations. The school nurse monitors immunization records and informs parents/legal guardians of requirements.

The nurse's office is located in Minden Hall. If a student feels ill, he/she should report directly to the nurse's office. When the nurse is not in, the student should report to the office where he or she will receive assistance from office staff.

In cases of frequent absences, the school nurse may contact the parent or legal guardian to provide assistance and suggestions if such action appears warranted.

STUDENTS WHO LEAVE SCHOOL DUE TO ILLNESS MUST GET PERMISSION FROM THE OFFICE AND FROM A PARENT OR GUARDIAN BEFORE LEAVING THE BUILDING.

Accidents

Any accident which occurs on school property must be reported immediately to the teacher in charge, to the nurse, or to the office. If a fellow student is injured and there is no teacher present, secure help from the office. The office will inform the student's parents/legal guardians if it is necessary to take the student to the doctor or hospital.

Illness

Children should remain at home if they have a severe head cold, fever, sore throat, rash, nausea or vomiting during the night, or have any symptoms of a contagious disease. If a child becomes ill at school or is injured the child's parent or guardian will be notified and asked to take the child home. Parents who do not have a phone should give the office a phone number of a friend or relative whom we may contact in case of an emergency.

If a student has a prolonged illness of more than one week or is taking an antibiotic, even if it is not taken at school, please notify the school nurse. Generally, a child needs to take an antibiotic for 24 hours before returning to school. (This is especially important with conjunctivitis pink eye and strep throat.)

When a student has been absent for two or more weeks due to illness, a note from the child's physician is required before the student may return to school.

Pediculosis

From time to time, we have had a problem with pediculosis (head lice). The nurse will periodically check students for head lice. If your child is diagnosed with pediculosis you will be asked to take your child home and treat him/her. Please check your child monthly; if you find head lice or nits on your child, please contact the school nurse. (On file: Outbreak Plan, Health Department regulations)

Immunizations

According to state health regulations, all students must have the necessary immunizations in order to attend school. This includes diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, polio, and MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) immunizations. HIB and Hepatitis B immunizations are also recommended for your child. When your child receives an immunization, please provide proof of the immunization for the school.

Screenings

The following screening tests are given by the nurse: hearing and vision screening tests, height and weight measurements, a blood pressure check and scoliosis screening. When there is a need for further evaluation by a physician or an eye doctor, the nurse will contact the parent/legal guardian. It is requested that the results of a doctor's evaluation be reported to the nurse.

Medication

It is recognized that some children may be unable to attend school on a regular basis unless they receive prescription medication. While it is more desirable for medication to be administered at home, there may be circumstances that require a student to receive medication during the school day. If this is true, and the school nurse or other school personnel are in any way involved in administering or monitoring the medications, procedures for both prescription and non-prescription medication must be carefully followed.

A. Prescriptions

1. There must be a current medication order and permission form on file with the school nurse. Permission forms are available at the physician's office or the school nurse's office. The form must be signed by the physician and parent/guardian. A new form for long-term medication is required at the beginning of each school year.

2. The medication must be brought to school in a container labeled by a pharmacy or practitioner and given to the nurse for safe keeping. The container must have the student's name, the name of the medication, the time the medication is to be given and the name of the doctor who prescribed the medication. We encourage parents to transport medication to and from school. This will protect all children from accidental ingestion of medication and prevent the medication from being misplaced or lost.

3. Whenever possible, please request two labeled containers from the pharmacy so that one may be kept at home and the other kept at school.

4. Inhalers labeled with directions for use and the student' name should be kept in the nurse's office. No medication should be carried with the student unless written instructions from his/her physician and parent/guardian to carry and self-medicate are provided to the nurse.

5. If a prescription is for three times a day, ask your doctor if it can be given before school, after school, and before bed. This avoids medication being transported back and forth from school and from being kept out of refrigeration (i.e. antibiotics).

B. Non-prescription medications

Non-prescription medications (examples: Tylenol, Advil, etc.) will be administered only after a signed permission form has been received by the school nurse.