Health Office

Medication Policies

Students requiring any medication at school must have a written statement from the family physician, which identifies the diagnosis, the medication, the dosage, the time(s) for administration, and the number of days for which the medication is to be administered. (This applies to both prescription and over the counter medications.)

Medication (both over-the-counter and prescription) can be administered in school only when the following Board of Education procedures are followed:

District approved forms are completed by the physician and parent/guardian.
Medication must be in the original pharmacy or manufacturer containers and must be clearly labeled.
On an urgent basis, when medication forms have not been submitted, a parent/guardian may administer medications to their child in the health office.

Medication Administration Authorization Forms

Asthma and Life Threatening Allergies

All children with asthma need an asthma action plan.
New Jersey Administrative Code 18A:40-12.3 requires each student authorized to use asthma medication (inhaler of nebulizer treatment) shall have an Asthma Action or Treatment Plan prepared by the student's medical home and submitted to the school nurse.
Asthma Treatment Plan
Allergy Care Plan

Health Screenings

The school nurse conducts the following screenings according to the New Jersey State Guidelines for blood pressure, hearing, height and weight, vision, and scoliosis. Health screenings have been delineated more clearly by the NJ Department of Education.

Screenings for height, weight, and blood pressure will be conducted annually for each pupil kindergarten through tenth grade. The American Academy of Pediatrics encourages blood pressure checks for children over the age of 3.
Screening for visual acuity is mandated every two years for students K-10.
Screening for color perception is mandated in Grade 1 only.
Screening for auditory acuity is mandated annually for students in K-3 and in grades 7 and 11.
Screening for scoliosis is mandated biennially for students between the ages of 10 and 18.

Immunizations

New Jersey State immunizations are specific to your child's age and grade. Please see links for immunization schedules and requirements:
Immunization Requirements - Preschool - State of New Jersey
Immunization Requirements - K to 12 - State of New Jersey
Students transferring within the state of New Jersey cannot start school until proof of state mandated immunizations is provided to and reviewed by the nurse. Out-of-state and out-of country transfer students have 30 days to submit the age appropriate immunizations.
Immunization nformation on Medical and Religious Exemption
Required Medical Exemption Documentation
Immunization requirements for students entering grade 6:
Special note for grade 5 students: The state of New Jersey mandates 1 dose of Tdap and 1 dose or meningococcal vaccine upon entering grade 6. Consult with your child's pediatrician or school nurse and please plan accordingly. See Immunization Requirements for students entering the 6th Grade.
Tuberculosis screening is required for students entering the school district from specific foreign countries determined by the State of New Jersey Department of Health, as per state directive. Your private healthcare provider or local health department can perform this test. Documentation of Tuberculosis screening must be provided as soon as possible.
Immunization Requirements for 6th Grade Entry

Physical Examinations

Documentation of a physical exam is required upon entry into the public school system. However, the New Jersey Department of Education urges ongoing health assessments by a healthcare provider to determine the student's medical status. The New Jersey Department of Education strongly recommends physical examinations of students at least once during each of the developmental stages:

Early childhood (pre-school through grade3)
Pre-adolescence (grade 4 through 6)
Adolescence (grade 7 through 12)

Universal Health Record - Physical Exam
Parent Questionnaire

Maintaining a Healthy School Environment

Healthy Habits Fact Sheet
-When should I keep my child home from school?
If any of the following are true for your child, you child should be kept home from school:

Temperature of 100.0 F or higher
Head injury that indicates the need for observation
Injury or condition that requires immediate medical care
Pink eye, measles, mumps, chicken pox, ringworm, scabies, scarlet fever, strep throat, or other communicable diseases.
Vomiting/stomach flu

If you are unsure whether or not to keep your child home from school, please contact your school nurse.
-When can my child return to school after being sick?
We have a 24-hour rule: Students who have a fever of 100 F or higher, vomiting or diarrhea should be kept home until the fever, vomiting and/or diarrhea have subsided for a minimum of 24 hours. Students who have been placed on an antibiotic by a physician may return to school 24 hours after the medication is started if they are feeling well.
State Guidelines for When to Keep Your Child Home from School

-When is a child allowed to not participate in physical education class?
Every student is expected to participate in their physical education classes. Exemptions from physical education may be granted for up to one week at the written request of the parent or guardian. If your child needs an exemption beyond a week, you will need to bring in a note from your physician, physician's assistant, or nurse practitioner. The school nurse may require periodic evaluations, examinations, or renewals for continued exemptions from physical education activities.
-My child has lice. What should I do?
We follow the guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the CDC regarding the treatment for lice. Any time a student shows evidence of head lice, either with the presence of live lice or the presence of new nits, we will notify that student's parents or guardians and provide information for proper treatment.
We encourage parents to be proactive with lice and check their child's head and hair on a regular basis. Symptoms of lice include frequent scratching or complaints of itching.
Read the CDC's information about head lice and recommended treatment.
-When will the School Nurse call or write a note regarding a Health Office visit? 1. Illness with fever, active repeat vomiting, diarrhea.2. Head wounds or severe hit to head.3. Severe wounds especially when may require sutures.4. Suspected broken bones/fractures “student states they can’t walk”.5. Fainting, dizziness, disorientation.6. Suspected contagious illness.7. Multiple visits regarding the same complaint throughout the school day. 8. Anything other student complaint or issue that the nurse feels she needs to report to you as needed.

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