HEALTH OFFICE

The school nurse’s primary function is to provide for the health concerns of students and staff, manage health problems and injuries when they occur, administer necessary medications, and support the teachers with up-to-date health information and health lessons for the classroom.

Children who are healthy and getting good nutrition and proper rest are better able to learn and participate in class. The school health office is also a community resource room, where the school nurse can provide information on the many available resources to our families. Please inform the Health Office if there are any health concerns for your child that the school nurse should be aware of.

REQUIREMENTS FOR PHYSICALS 

• Physicals are required for the following grades: Pre-K, K, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11, and any student new to the District—form to bring to your health care provider.
• Sports physicals are required annually. See our Athletics page for forms
• Physicals are required to obtain working papers.

SICK DAY GUIDELINES
Sometimes, it can be difficult for parents to decide whether to send their children to school when they wake up with early symptoms of an illness or complaints that they do not feel well. In general, during cold and flu season, unless your child is significantly ill, the best place for them is in school where they have already been exposed to the same germs and where they are less likely to expose more vulnerable people like the very young or elderly. Remind and show your children to discard used tissues promptly, not to share personal items, to cover their mouths when they cough or sneeze, and to wash their hands thoroughly and often with soap and water. However, there are some situations in which it is best to plan to keep your child home for a day of rest or to arrange an appointment with your healthcare provider. 

• Persistent fever greater than 100.4 degrees orally, including a fever that requires control with Tylenol. Remember your child must be fever-free for 24 hours before returning to school. 
• A child is sleepy or ill from an illness, like vomiting and/or diarrhea. Please keep your child home for 24 hours following an episode of vomiting and/or diarrhea during the night or early morning.
• A sore throat that is severe, accompanied by a fever and/or feeling ill that persists longer than 48 hours OR after known exposure to strep throat.
  Significant cough that makes a child feel uncomfortable or disrupts the class.
• Honey-crusted sores around the nose or mouth that might be impetigo or a rash in various stages OR a rash in various stages that may be chicken pox OR a significant rash accompanied by other symptoms of illness such as fever.
• Red, runny eyes that distract the child from learning.
• A large amount of discolored nasal discharge, especially if accompanied by facial pain or headache.
• Severe ear pain or drainage from the ear.
• Severe headache, especially if accompanied by fever.
• Any condition you think may be serious or contagious to others. 

Whenever there is an outbreak of a specific contagious infection, the school sends out a notice to alert you to watch out for any symptoms. If your child starts to develop symptoms, it is important that you alert your healthcare provider that your child had a possible exposure. Be sure to ask your provider when it is safe for your child to return to school, both for your child’s health and for the health of the rest of the school. 

Finally, if you know your child is still running a fever, it is not a good idea to simply give them Tylenol and send them to school. It is better to let them stay home in bed and rest until the fever passes. If you find a pattern of your child asking to stay home from school, especially if they are falling behind or appear anxious by the thought of attending school, or if there does not appear to be any obvious physical symptoms, it may be a good idea to contact your school nurse and your health care provider to discuss your concerns. 

Remember, when you keep your child home from school, please call the school at the start of the day and leave a message that your child will be absent. If you have any questions, please feel free to call our nurse Lori Keith (518) 638-8243 ext. 518  - she’ll be glad to talk to you!

MEDICATIONS
Any medication prescribed by a physician for a student should be left with the nurse and taken or administered in the nurse’s office. The nurse can only administer medicine in school when a doctor’s order and parent’s written permission are given to the Health Office. Over-the-counter drugs can not be given in school unless ordered by a doctor in writing. No student should have any medication while in school. Consequenc­es will result if a student is found with medication (prescription and/or non-prescription) except for a doctor’s and the school nurse’s prior approval. 

MEDICATION MAY ONLY BE ADMINISTERED IF IT IS ACCOMPANIED BY: 

• Your physician’s written order that specifies diagnosis, medication (possible side effects), dosage, frequency, and the time element for ad­ministering the medication.
• The written request of the parent requesting that school personnel admin­ister the medication as ordered.
• The family must provide the medication in the prescription bottle, tube, or container that clearly indicates the date, child’s name and physician’s name, dos­age, and frequency.
• Parents are requested to inform the school immediately if there is any change in the course of treatment or medication.
• Medication orders must be renewed annually or when there is a change in medication or dosage.
• The pharmacy label does not constitute a written order and cannot be used instead of a written order from a doctor.