Students who are injured or become ill during the school day must obtain a pass to the Health Office from the classroom teacher. Students report directly to the nurse only in an emergency. Students are responsible to make sure they are signed into the Health Office by the Nurse. The nurse will render assistance and, if necessary, make arrangements with the parent or guardian for student care. Students cannot return to class without a signed pass from the nurse.
For safety reasons, no student is permitted to leave school due to illness prior to consulting the school nurse to make arrangements to leave and must sign out in the office. Students leaving school or missing class without following the above procedure will be considered truant and will be subject to disciplinary action.
Students who will be absent for an extended period for health reasons may arrange for home-bound instruction through the Guidance Office. The need for home-bound instruction must be verified by a physician. Health counseling is available from the School Nurse.
Physical Examination
The district requires and will provide a free physical examination for children who:
- Are in grades Pre-K, K, 2, 4, 7, and 10.
- Participate in interscholastic sports.
- Need working papers.
- Are referred by/to the Committee on Special Education.
Sports Physicals
Sports physicals are given by the school physician in the summer, fall and late spring of each school year. Should a major injury or surgery occur after the physical is given, a release to participate from the student’s physician is required. Students are notified of physicals 2-3 weeks in advance through daily announcements, verbal communication from the physical education teachers, coaches and posters placed throughout the building. Students will sign up for physicals in the health office.
Working Papers
To apply for working papers a student must have a current physical exam. Physical examinations for working papers can be performed by the student’s physician or the school physician when available. Working papers and forms are available in the guidance office.
Illness and Emergency Procedures
If your child is allergic to insect bites or bee stings, please contact the school nurse regarding emergency measures.
Please keep your child home if s/he has a temperature of 100 degrees or greater. Children with severe symptoms from stomach virus, chest congestion, colds, and/or having a high fever should have 24 hours symptom free before returning to school. If your child is taking an antibiotic for any contagious disease, s/he may return to school after 24 hours of antibiotic treatment. This is important for the health and safety of all students.
Please remember to contact the school nurse when your child is absent. A written excuse is required for all student absences.
Medication Procedures
The Bureau of School Health Services of the State Education Department has established the following guidelines for the administration of medication in the school.
The school nurse may only dispense prescribed and over-the-counter medication with written permission from parent and physician.
Medicine must be in original containers.
All medicine must be kept in the Health Office and given out by the nurse.
Parents should bring medications to the nurse in a labeled and dated container.
No medication is allowed on the school bus.
Medications prescribed for three times a day may be given before school, after school, and at bedtime. This dosage schedule eliminates the need to send medications to school.
In the event that medication must be administered at school, the following guidelines must be followed in advance:
School nurse must be provided with a note from the child’s parent or guardian requesting that the named medication be administered at school.
School nurse must be provided with a note from a physician stating the medication, dosage and frequency.