News from the Nurse
Hearing Screening
March 31, 2023
Hearing screening will be conducted by the RI School for the Deaf. The screening staff will be following national and state safety guidelines.
Hearing is important to your child's ability to learn and progress satisfactorily at school. For this reason, children at school Kindergarten through third grade will be participating in the hearing screen mandated by the Rules and Regulations for School Health Programs (R16-21-SCHO). If your child has an unsatisfactory result a referral will be mailed home.
A form will be sent home with your child in their backpack. This is NOT a consent form. Please read and only return if you answer yes to any of the questions.
Please notify me if your child is not to be screened.
FLU
Flu season in the United States typically occurs in the fall and winter, with cases peaking between December and February. A yearly flu vaccine is the best defense against the flu. According to the CDC, September and October are the best times to get vaccinated, though vaccination in December or later can still help. The Office of Immunization, in partnership with The Wellness Company, has scheduled school-located u clinics for children ages 3 years and older. Many clinics are open to community members. Registration is strongly recommended, and folks can register for any clinic state-wide. To register and view a list of clinics, please visit https://health.ri.gov/flu/
RSV
Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection
In RI and nationally, cases of RSV have increased from the previous year, likely in relation to recent COVID-19 endemic status and the consequent relaxing of pandemic isolation and masking. Please check the link for more information;
COVID 19 Information
COVID 19 Vaccine
The COVID vaccine is the best layer of protection for your child from COVID -19.
What is the difference between Flu, COVID and RSV? click link below
COVID at School
Please keep your child home when they are sick and get a COVID test
Everyone who tests positive for COVID-19 should isolate and follow recommendations for return to school. Regardless of vaccination status, you should isolate yourself from others when you have COVID-19.
People should isolate themselves at home for at least 5 full days after the date of their first positive test (asymptomatic) or when symptoms first appeared (symptomatic).
They may leave isolation after 5 full days, if they
• Are fever-free for at least 24 hours without use of fever-reducing medicine and COVID-19 symptoms have improved or are improving;
• Wear a high-quality mask around others for 5 more days*; and
• Avoid being around people who are immunocompromised or at high risk for severe disease.
* If a mask is unable to be worn, the individual should isolate at home for a full 10 days.
• People who have COVID-19 symptoms recur or worsen, should isolate again and consult a healthcare provider with any questions about the symptoms or when to end isolation.
When to take an at-home antigen COVID test:
If you begin having any COVID-19 symptoms or
At least 5 days after you come into close contact with someone with COVID-19, or
If you gather with a group of people, especially those who are at risk of severe disease or may not be up to date on their COVID-19 vaccines
You can self report a positive home test to the RIDOH using this link: https://portal.ri.gov/s/selftest.
Forms
Medication Form
Medication Policy
Bee Sting and Food Allergy Form
RI Physical Form
Kindergarten and New Student Health Requirements
RI Immunization Exemption Forms





SKSD Kindergarten Health Requirements
● DTaP- 5 doses (Final dose after 4 y.o.)
● HepB -3 doses (Final dose after 6-months old)
● Polio- 4 doses (Final dose after 4-years old)
● MMR -2 doses
● Varicella- 2 doses or proof from your child’s doctor stating that your child has a history of chickenpox disease
● Proof of Lead Screening
● Proof of Vision Screening
● Copy of 5 year old Physical Exam within the past 12 months or appointment within 6 months of entering school
Elementary New Student Health Requirements
Same immunization requirements as kindergarten plus physical exam with vision screen within the past 12 months or appointment within 6 months of entering school.
Lead screen not required if > 6 years