Embedded Files
Welcome to the East Providence Preschool Nurse Pam's Page!
Here you can find anything health/medical related for your preschool son or daughter.
My name is Pam Traverse. I am so excited to be your school nurse here at school.
I have been a school nurse for 31 years, previously at a PreK-5 elementary school in Smithfield, RI.
I am a true Townie, as I graduated from East Providence schools...many years ago!
Please feel free to contact me at any time by Email: ptraverse@epschoolsri.com
Phone: 433-6209 ext 7803
Direct line: 401-383-2435
Fax: 401-433-6247
Tiny Townie Forms
Tiny Townie Forms
Asthma Medication Form/Action Plan
Epi pen Medication Form/ Care Plan
If your child will need medication at school, all submitted medication forms must be on a letterhead from the physician's office, with a signature from the providing physician. This includes
over-the-counter medication and antibiotics. We also ask that a parent/guardian sign a medication permission form that allows us to give your child their medication at school.
When Children Should Stay Home from School
Fever: Keep your child home if they have a temperature of 100 or greater. Your child may return to school when they are fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medicine (Tylenol/Motrin).
Diarrhea: Keep your child home if they develop diarrhea. They may return to school 24 hours after their last diarrhea episode, and they are able to tolerate solid foods.
Mild cold or respiratory symptoms: Your child can be in school if they have clear nasal discharge or a mild cough. A persistent/severe cough could signify a contagious condition, and is a signal that your child is not feeling well.
Sore Throat: A sore throat can be a sign of strep throat or the common cold. If your child has been diagnosed with strep throat, keep your child home for at least 24 hours after starting the antibiotics. If it is not strep throat and your child is able to participate in classroom activities, he/she may come to school.
Pink Eye/Conjunctivitis: Pink eye is very contagious. If your child develops a pink, irritated eye, with or without discharge, please have your child seen by their pediatrician. If your child has been diagnosed with pink eye, they should stay home for the first 24 hours after treatment begins. Symptoms of pink eye include eye redness, irritation, swelling, itchiness and possible crusty discharge.
Always follow the advice of your pediatrician! If your child was seen by their pediatrician for a sick visit and absent from school, please provide a doctor’s note to the school, including the reason for the visit. A doctor’s note will count as an excused absence for your child.
Why the 24 Hour Rule?
Our East Providence First Aid and Emergency Care protocols include keeping your child home for a fever, and then having them
stay home until they are fever free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medicine.
These standing orders and protocols are renewed yearly and written in conjunction with our school physician, Dr. Leah Adams, who is a
practicing pediatrician.
Why it’s so important to stay true to this 24-hour rule:
1. You don’t want to get other kids sick, and your child can still be contagious within 24 hours of a fever. While we all know this is best
practice, it’s not always enough motivation to keep kids home from school – especially if they feel great or if we need to get back to work.
It’s important to keep this 24-hour rule in mind.
2. Your child is more likely to catch something else. Within 24 hours of a fever, your child’s immune system is weakened, and they are
much more likely to catch something else. This is why it can seem like your child is better for a couple of days, only to be sick again.
They’ve caught something else. It’s also why sometimes your child’s symptoms can go from a sore throat to vomiting within a few days.
They’ve caught something else.
3. Rest and recovery is crucial to feeling better. Even if they are feeling great, extra rest and recovery is critical in helping your child fully
get over an illness. You don’t want them to come down with something else or relapse with what they already have.
Even if your child is feeling better, be sure to keep them home from school for 24 hours after a fever. Not only will it help keep
those germs from spreading to other kids, but it can help keep your child safe from germs as well. As usual, if you have any
doubts or questions, be sure to call your pediatrician.
Vision Sreens
Vision Sreens
Our vision screens are completed with the help of The Lions Club. If you receive a referral regarding your son/daughter’s screen, could you please follow up with a completed vision exam and return the signed referral to me at school.
Our vision screens are scheduled for September 15, 2026.
Hearing Screens
Hearing Screens
The RI School for the Deaf visits and completes our hearing screens. If you receive a referral stating that they failed that screening, please follow up with either your pediatrician or a free RISD exam and return that signed referral to me at school.
Our hearing screens are scheduled for September 28, 2026.
Dental Screens
Dental Screens
Our dental screens are completed at the beginning of October.
Our school dentist is Dr. Mayumi Adriano
If a referral is sent home, please make an appointment with your family dentist to have that referral completed and returned to school.
Our dental screens are scheduled for October 5, 2026.
Our school is a Peanut-Free Preshool
Our school is a Peanut-Free Preshool
East Providence Preschool is a Nut-Free school. We have students in our classes who have severe allergies to many different things including peanuts/tree nuts. Could you please check that your are not sending any peanut or nut-related snacks or lunches to school with your child. This includes peanut butter/cheese crackers or any snacks that may have peanut oil in them. Also, any snack that may have been manufactured on equipment that processes peanuts. These children can become very ill from just a mere exposure. We are doing everything we can to provide our students with the safest environment in which to learn. I have included suggestions for Peanut/Tree nut free snacks and treats in this link. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to call me at school!
EPSD Flu Clinics
EPSD Flu Clinics
The East Providence School Department will be hosting three flu clinics for our families and staff.
Register online at School Flu Clinics to schedule an appointment.
Dates and Times:
Tuesday, October 20th 4-7 pm at East Providence High School Cafeteria
Tuesday, November 3rd 4-7 pm at Riverside Middle School Cafeteria
Tuesday, November 10th 4-7 pm at Orlo Ave School Multi-Purpose Room
Preschool Wishlist!
Preschool Wishlist!
💙 Our tiny townies are always in need of gently used clothes here at school... girls or boys!
Head Injury Guide
Head Injury Guide
If one of our Tiny Townies significantly bumps their head at school, I may want to make sure that someone is keeping an eye on him/her past school hours!
I will be sending home our new Head Bump Observation Guide! Many times, the bump happens at the end of the day, and I do not have the ability to "keep an eye on them". Our guide helps you to know what to look out for once they get home.
Head Lice at School
What is Head Lice (Pediculosis)
Head lice are tiny, wingless insects that live close to the scalp. They feed only on human blood. Head lice can lay eggs, called nits, that hatch and cause itching and discomfort, but do not spread disease.
How do I know if my child has head lice?
Scratching or Itching
Tickling feeling on the scalp or in the hair
Difficulty sleeping (lice are more active in the dark)
Sores on the head from scratching.
Finding a live louse. Head lice are most commonly found behind the ears and near the neckline at the back of the head.
Facts About Head Lice
Lice only live off the head for 18-24 hours before they die.
Head lice are spread by direct and prolonged head to head contact.
Sharing of personal items (brushes, combs, headbands, hats) and items such as helmets should be discouraged.
Head lice do not jump or fly.
Having head lice is not a sign of poor hygiene.
Head lice are not dangerous and they do not transmit disease.
Updated School Guidelines
Based on current research and best practice recommendations from the RI Department of Health and the AAP, East Providence Public Schools implemented the following guidelines:
Students who appear symptomatic or have complaints (scratching head) may be sent to the nurse for evaluation. If lice/nits are found, the parent will be notified and instructed to contact their healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis and treatment. Children should continue to be checked at home when demonstrating symptoms of head lice.
The American Academy of Pediatrics discourages head lice screenings, which have not been proven to have a significant effect over time on the incidence of head lice in the school setting. Routine classroom head checks or whole-school screenings will not be performed. We must follow student privacy regulations. (FERPA)
Head lice is not a life threatening medical emergency; therefore, faculty and staff members will not routinely be notified. Parent notification letters will not routinely be sent home.
A child with an active head lice infestation has likely had the infestation for one month or more by the time it is discovered and poses little risk to others. Students will not routinely be sent home early.
Resource Links
RI Dept of Health Head Lice Guidelines
National Association of School Nurses Position Statement
American Academy of Pediatrics
What to do at home:
Contact your pediatrician or family physician to get appropriate diagnosis and treatment. Machine wash all linens in hot water.
Place items that cannot be washed or dried in a tightly sealed plastic bag. Keep in the bag for 2 weeks.
Thoroughly vacuum rugs, upholstered furniture and mattresses.
Do not use insecticide sprays in an attempt to stop the spread because they can be harmful to people and pets.
Page updated
Report abuse