Health Information for Parents From the school nurse Cathy Morgan, RN 686-6464 ext 504 Catherine.Morgan@nhcs.net Office hours: 7am-3:30pm Mon-Fri

I look forward to another fun filled year taking great care of our students. Please don’t hesitate to call or email me with concerns, questions or information about your child. The following is some information that I have put together to help us all have a safe and healthy school year. I hope you enjoy.

MEDICATION AT SCHOOL: A GUIDE FOR PARENTS Dear Parent, Our school system has a written policy to assure the safe administration of medication to students during the school day. After consultation with your child’s physician, medication that cannot be administered outside of school hours may be administered by school personnel or the school nurse. In order for medication to be administered at school the following must be completed: Your child’s physician must complete a Physician’s Authorization for Medication at School form. Parent signature is also required. This form is valid for the current school year only. (Epipen, Inhalers and Benadryl) The medication must be in the original pharmacy container with a pharmacy label with your child’s name, medication name, dosage, date of prescription, and directions for use. All medication/refills brought to the school must be in the original pharmacy container. Siblings will require their own supply and cannot share medication. The parent/guardian must bring in and pick up all medication. Students are not allowed to transport medication. Medication will be counted in your presence by school staff and you will be asked to sign the Medication Check-in Log. Children with food allergies will require an additional dietary order signed by the physician. These are specific to cafeteria guidelines. Short-term medication (2 weeks or less) may be administered at school without a signed Physician’s Authorization for Medication at School form. The medication must be in the original pharmacy bottle with a pharmacy label. A parent note is required which must state your child’s name, time medication to be administered at school, and any possible side effects. The Over-the-Counter Parental Permission Form lists the over-the-counter medications that may be administered at school, and must be completed and signed by the parent/guardian. Over-the-counter medication must be in the manufacturer’s original unopened container. At the end of each school year the parent/guardian needs to pick up their child’s medication by the last day of school or it will be discarded, unless other arrangements are made by the parent/guardian and the school. A copy of the Administration of Medication Policy/Procedure is available for your review at your school.

Any daily medications to be given at school require physician’s orders, along with the time the medicine is to be given. I will make every effort to make a phone call or send a letter when the medication supply is running low. (ie:2-3 doses left) Medication may not be expired. You will receive notification when the medication is close to expiring. At the end of each school year, the parent/guardian needs to pick up their child’s medication by the last day of school or it will be discarded, unless other arrangements are made by the parent/guardian and the school. A copy of the Administration of Medication Policy/Procedure is available for your review at your school.

Some reasons you might receive a call from the nurse Temperature equal to or greater than 100 Vomiting or Diarrhea Teacher concerns Eyes with red, itching and/or discharge If your child returns to the nurse 2 or more times in the same day with the same complaints Notification of an injury that left bruising or cut (especially with the younger students) Live head lice found any orthopedic injury requiring further assessment by physician 24 Hour Rule for sending your students back to school Must be fever free for 24 hours without the use of Tylenol, Motrin, Advil etc. It is recommended that you not send students back until there has been no Vomiting or Diarrhea for 24 hours and child is able to tolerate a regular diet If child has an infection (ie: strep, pink eye, ear infection), student should have had at least 2 doses of antibiotic in past 24 hours before returning. For children who have been out sick for a few days, please do not send them if they are not acting like themselves. It takes time to recuperate from an illness, and every child is different. Maybe after an extended illness, the first day back could be a half day; to ease the child back into the routine.

If it touches hair, we don’t share!! Lice return Policy Children can be at school with nits. Any student with LIVE lice will need to be sent home and treated. Upon return to school, the parent MUST accompany the student to the nurse to be checked. If LIVE lice are seen, the student will need to return home. A child is NOT to return to their classroom unless checked by the nurse first. If it touches hair, we don’t share!!

Allergic – also seasonal, with an increase in itching of the eyes. Conjunctivitis Is highly contagious Can be viral – following a cold or respiratory infection. Discharge is clear and watery Bacterial – can be seasonal with increased pollen counts. Discharge is thick and yellow Allergic – also seasonal, with an increase in itching of the eyes. Most children have great difficulty remembering to keep their hands away from their faces and eyes. If the student has red conjunctiva, yellow/green drainage, matting, and swelling you will be asked to take them to MD for evaluation.

Handwashing is the number one way to stop the spread of germs Let’s work together and teach our children to wash their hands often throughout the day. Especially: After using the restroom Before eating After playing outside After playing with pets Anytime our hands are visibly dirty Also remind children to keep their hands away from their face and NOT to put their hands in other people’s faces, mouths, ears!!!

Food allergies in the classroom Every year we have several children in our school with food allergies. Peanut is the most prevalent. We no longer have a peanut free school, however individual teachers may chose to have a Peanut free classroom. Be mindful when bringing food in to share with your child’s class. Speak with the teacher ahead of time to avoid any issues.

There are a few things that as the school nurse, I should be made aware of. If your child has an injury outside of school that requires them to have a reduction in activity such as: using crutches, or a cast or splint… please call or email me so that I am aware and can watch out for them. If they have been out of school with a significant illness, please call or email me to let me know. I do keep track of any trends our school may be having. If you have any medical questions for me about whether or not your child should be at school or sent home, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I will be glad to help when I can or point you in the right direction if I can’t.

Together, Let’s make 2018-2019 a great year!!! Cathy Morgan, RN Thank you for taking the time to review this information. I look forward to meeting new parents this year and seeing many returning parents, too! Together, Let’s make 2018-2019 a great year!!! Cathy Morgan, RN Contact me between 7am – 3:30 pm at: 910-686-6464 extension 504 Catherine.Morgan@nhcs.net