Welcome to the Brookside Elementary School Health Office!
It is my pleasure to join the Brookside team and help care for your children this year. 2023-24 is off to a great start! If you have any questions or concerns regarding your child's health, please don't hesitate to contact me. It is a privilege to care for your children.
Nicole Alvarez, BSN, RN, NJ-CSN
(T) 201-664-9000, ext 2
(F) 201-664-4865
Too sick for school?
As per our district medical handbook, Students should remain home if any of the following symptoms are present:
Excessive runny nose, coughing, or sneezing
Fever of 100 degrees or above – students may return to school only after being fever free for at least 24 hours without the use of antipyretics (i.e., Advil, Motrin, or Tylenol)
Nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea
Skin rashes of a questionable or unknown origin
Sores on the skin, especially if moist, draining or encrusted
When a student has been absent due to a contagious illness such as chickenpox, pink eye, mononucleosis, or strep throat, we may require a doctor's note in order to return. Please see our K-12 Medical Handbook for more information.
COVID-19 remains a concern in our school and community. At this time, students who are COVID-19 positive will need to stay home for 5 days following the day of the first symptom or positive test and until they have been fever free for 24 hours. Once both of these conditions are met, students may return to school. Masks are not required for days 6-10, but they are encouraged.
As of April, 2024, the New Jersey Department of Health has not updated COVID isolation guidelines and the district exclusion period remains five days from positive test or onset of symptoms. Any changes in policy as a result of updated state and local guidelines will be communicated as they are confirmed. Thank you for your understanding.
In the course of the day, I treat many minor injuries and health complaints and return students to class with minimal intervention (ice pack, a drink of water, a band-aid, etc.) For injuries or illnesses that may require more attention or follow up, I will contact you and may leave a message requesting a callback if unable to reach you. I understand phone calls during the workday can be difficult for some. If you would prefer I email to inform you of minor health issues that I feel you may want to be aware of, please let me know. Please be assured, for any significant health issues I will continue trying to contact a parent, guardian, or emergency contact by telephone until I reach someone.
Please note: I have received feedback from some parents that calls from the health office are being filtered by their phone carriers as "potential spam". This appears to be occurring on the receiving end. Calls from Brookside will display as coming from (201) 664-0880. You can ensure this number is not filtered by adding it to your contacts list.
The nurse is in (until naptime).
WWRSD Class of 2040!