The school nurse should be aware of any health problems the child may have (ex. asthma, diabetes, etc.) If new health problems should occur during the school year, please notify the nurse.

All communicable diseases are to be reported to the school nurse as soon as the parent knows the diagnosis. For other illnesses or conditions, please notify the nurse if your child will be absent for three or more days.

If a child must receive medication during school hours, New York State law requires that the school nurse must have a written order from a physician and a parent written request to give the child the medication. Parents must deliver the medication to school (no medications should be brought on the bus with students). Students are never to keep medications of any kind (this includes cough drops and aspirin) on them or in any of their belongings unless a self medication form has been completed by the parent and physician for age appropriate students.

Medications cannot be dispensed without:

Medications administered on Field Trips School Personnel, other than the nurse, are not allowed to dispense medication. If your child is on a daily medication, please contact the nurse to discuss how this will be handled when the class has a scheduled field trip.

ILLNESS DURING SCHOOL HOURS

If your child becomes ill at school, the nurse will notify you or the person designated on your emergency card. We do not transport children home unless it is a true emergency. Please notify the people you indicate on your emergency card that they have been listed for emergency care. Note: It is very important to notify the office of any changes in phone numbers or names of persons to be notified.

Please be aware that the school nurse has the responsibility only for immediate and temporary first aid. In all emergency situations, the responsibility for care, treatment and transportation of the child will be transferred to the parent, guardian or parental designate as soon as possible. The nurse is obligated to treat only injuries that occur on school property or school buses. A dressing (bandage) applied by the family physician or parent may be reinforced, if necessary, but not changed

GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR PARENTS

Please do not send your child to school if you suspect a fever, rash or other signs of illness. If your child exhibits the following symptoms at home, please follow these guidelines:

Rash: Any child with an unexplained rash or eye inflammation must be kept home until a diagnosis is made by a physician.

Fever: If a fever is present during an illness, the child should be kept home until the temperature is normal for at least 24 hour, and all symptoms have disappeared.

Cold: A student with acute early symptoms of a common cold should stay at home to prevent serious developments and also to protect classmates from exposure to illness. If this practice is followed, fewer absences due to respiratory illness will occur.

Stomachache: A child complains of this in the morning, keep child at home. If nothing further develops, the child should return to school the following day. Note: Any child who is nauseated or has vomited during the night should be kept at home for observation.

Head Lice: If your child is sent home because of head lice or nits (eggs) please follow these directions for returning to school. 1. Child must be transported to school by a parent or responsible adult to be checked by the nurse. 2. The empty bottle of treatment shampoo must accompany the child. 3. If the child is free of lice and nits he/she may return to school. If the problem persists the procedure for re-admittance must be repeated until the child is lice and nit free.