Medical

MEDICAL INFORMATION

School Nurse Information Healthy children learn better. Each child has unique physical, emotional, and academic needs. The school nurse advocates for the student health needs by utilizing knowledge from medical, educational, and psychological disciplines. Healthy children learn better. Each child has unique physical, emotional, and academic needs. The school nurse advocates for the student health needs by utilizing knowledge from medical, educational, and psychological disciplines. Healthy children learn better. Each child has unique physical, emotional, and academic needs. The school nurse advocates for the student health needs by utilizing knowledge from medical, educational, and psychological disciplines. Healthy children learn better. Each child has unique physical, emotional, and academic needs. The school nurse advocates for the student health needs by utilizing knowledge from medical, educational, and psychological disciplines. Cooperation and communication between the school and home is essential to the physical health and well-being of all students. Please contact your child’s school nurse with any questions.

Immunizations

All students must adhere to the immunization requirements of the New Jersey State Department of Health, available for review in the school health office.

Physical Examinations

Each student must be examined upon entry into the school district. This examination must be done no more than 365 days prior to entry and must state what, if any, modifications are required for full participation in the school program. Parents/Guardians are also notified of the importance of obtaining subsequent examinations. Physical examinations are requested at least once during each of the student’s developmental stages: early childhood (grade 2); pre-adolescence (grade 5); and adolescence (grades 8 and 10). Vision, hearing, blood pressure, height, weight, and scoliosis screenings are conducted as required by the state code. A referral will be mailed home to parents/guardians, when indicated.

Communicable Diseases

A doctor’s certificate is required when a student has been absent due to strep throat, mononucleosis, scarlet fever, hepatitis, fifth disease, conjunctivitis, any rash of unknown origin, or any other communicable/contagious diseases.

Chickenpox:

• The student may return seven days after the appearance of the rash if all scabs are dry and there is no fever.

Fifth Disease:

• (A bright red rash on the cheeks often spreading to the body). Students may be admitted to school with a doctor’s note even if the rash is still present.

Pediculosis (head lice):

• A student who is found to have active head lice will not be permitted to attend school until there are no active lice in the student’s hair, proof of treatment has been provided to the nurse, and until all live and/or dead head lice are removed from the student’s hair as confirmed by an examination by the school nurse.

• The presence of nits (the eggs of lice) without active head lice will not prohibit a child from attending school provided proof of treatment has been provided to the nurse and there is no evidence of active head lice in the student’s hair.

Conjunctivitis (pink eye):

• Students with inflamed eyes are advised to seek medical advice. Students must remain out of school until the eyes are clear or they have a doctor’s certificate stating they are not contagious.

Absences Due to Illness

All students must present to their homeroom teacher a written note from their parent/guardian explaining the reason for their absence. Students should be kept home from school if any of the following symptoms are present:

• Excessive runny nose, coughing, sneezing

• Skin rashes of a questionable or unknown nature

• Sores on the skin, especially if moist, draining, or encrusted

• Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea

Students are to remain home until they are fever-free for at least 24 hours.

Medication in School

Pupils requiring medication at school must have a written statement from the family physician that identifies the type, dosage, and purpose of the medication. A written statement from a parent/guardian giving permission to give the medication prescribed by the family physician is also required. The nurse must have the original bottle with the pharmacist’s label, giving the prescription number, child’s name, dose to be given, and doctor’s name. Medications are to be brought to the nurse before school or during homeroom.

Self-administration of medication is against N.J. State Law except as permitted in accordance with N.J.S.A. 18A:40-12.3. A pupil is permitted to self-administer medication only for asthma or other potentially life-threatening illnesses. Permission for self-administration of medication may be granted under the following conditions:

1. The pupil’s parent/guardian must provide the Board written authorization for the self-administration of medication. The request must be a signed, written statement by the pupil’s parents/ guardians.

2. A signed, written certification from the physician must be provided to the Board stating that the pupil is capable of, and has been instructed in, the proper method of self-administration of medication.

3. The physician statement must include: the pupil’s name, the name of the medication, the purpose of its administration to the pupil for whom the medication is intended, the proper timing and dosage of the medication, any possible side effects of the medication, the date when the medication will be discontinued, a statement that the pupil is physically fit to attend school and is free of contagious disease, and a statement that the pupil would not be able to attend school if the medication is not administered during school hours.

These requirements apply to over-the-counter medications as well as prescription medications. Cough drops, provided by the parent/guardian, may be used in school when accompanied by written authorization from the parent/guardian. Students are not permitted to carry or take any medication without supervision.

Excuses from Physical Education

A student requesting to be excused from physical activity in Physical Education (PE) class for a day must bring a note from his/her parent/guardian to the school nurse upon arriving at school in the morning. Students who are to be excused from PE for more than two classes must bring a statement from their physician. Students with long-term excuses from PE may resume classes only with the school nurse’s approval based upon the physician’s written authorization. In addition, students excused from physical activity will be given an alternative assignment and will remain indoors during recess, unless a note from a parent/guardian is received stating that the child may go outside. However, the students will refrain from activity while outdoors.

Long-Term Illness/Home Instruction

Any student who is absent for two weeks, and anticipates the absence from school to continue for an extended period of time, is entitled to homebound instruction. Parents/Guardians are asked to contact the Health Office, should this be necessary.