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Hello Stearns Community! I'm Sarah Sawyer the school nurse for Stearns Elementary. I'm an experienced nurse with over 15 years experience as a RN and was a CNA prior to that. I have both a Bachelors and Masters Degree in Nursing, a RN in Massachusetts, and am a certified school nurse by the Massachusetts Department of Education.
I've been practicing in school nursing since 2014 and have a wide background of both inpatient and outpatient care. Some of my experience includes being a college professor for bachelor's level nursing courses, pediatrics (inpatient), labor & delivery, med-surg/er/icu inpatient care, and in home-care as a hospice nurse, RN case manager, and regional case coordinator.
I am happy to be part of the Pittsfield Public Schools and Stearns team. I look forward to helping our students and community grow and thrive to be their best and healthiest selves. I will post some helpful information below for parents. I am available to parents in person, via phone, fax, email, and parent square.
Flu Guide from the Mass DPH https://www.mass.gov/doc/the-flu-a-guide-for-parents-mdph/download
Announcements
Announcements
It is stomach bug season- unfortunately we've had many cases throughout the school without a formal diagnosis as to which stomach virus is goin around. Below are some general guidelines on what to do if your child gets a stomach virus. Please remember students need to be free of fever, diarrhea, and vomiting for 24 hours without medication before returning to school Absences 3 days or longer require a doctor's note to be excused.
Updated physicals are to be provided for new students, all students entering Pre-K and Kindergarten, and 4th graders. Please provide any doctors notes for any new or updated health conditions so we can provide the best care to your child.
If your child needs life saving medication (i.e. epipens, inhalers, emergency seizure medication) please provide these medications and doctors orders to the nurse as soon as possible for your child's safety at school. If you need help getting this medication for your child please contact the nurse.
Helpful Information
Medication at School:
If your child needs to take any medication at school they may not transport their own medication. It must be brought in by an adult, and counted & signed off with a nurse. A signed doctor's order is needed to administer any medications and signed parent permission forms that are available in the nurse's office. These forms must be renewed every school year.
Emergency/Lifesaving Medication:
If your child has emergency medications or life saving needs for allergies, asthma, or seizures- doctor's orders and emergency plans must be provided by the parent on an annual basis for their child along with the life saving medication. A healthcare plan will be made by the nurse in consultation with the parents & teachers to address student needs at school.
What to do if you can't afford an EpiPen
Sick Policy:
See the school handbook for the complete policy.
General guidelines are your child must be fever/vomit/diarrhea free for 24 hours without medication.
If your child is on antibiotics they must remain home and receive a 24 hour dose of the medication before returning to school to reduce transmission of the illness.
A rash of unknown origin must be evaluated by a doctor before the child returns to school.
If your child is absent 3 days or more- they need a doctor's note to return to school and for absences to be marked as excused.
If your child has lice they may come back once they have been treated and must be retreated a week later.
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