KINDERGARTEN/PRESCHOOL ORIENTATION JoAnn Ricciani, RN, Certified School Nurse Springfield Township Elementary

Presentation Topics Welcome Health Services (screenings) First Aid and Illness at school Absences Medication at school Emergency Forms Communication Food Allergies Odds and Ends

Entering Preschool/Kindergarten Traumatic time for some parents and some children. We are now PARTNERS in raising your child We do care and want the success and well-being of your child

Health Screenings All children get yearly height, weight and blood pressure Body Mass Index BMI-for-age, is a number calculated from a person’s weight and height BMI 95% (overweight), letter will go home to parent Vision screening Hearing screening Scoliosis screening – 5 th grade (and every 2 years thereafter) Parent will hear from school nurse if there is a problem. If YOU feel there is a problem, please call school nurse School phone press 1 for school nurse

Physical exams Need a physical to enter Kindergarten (by NJ law) Physical exam recommended at Pre- adolescence- grades 4 through 6 and Adolescence- grades 7 through 12 If you have no health insurance, see school nurse for information on NJ Family Care

IMMUNIZATIONS NJ state law requires certain immunizations prior to entering preschool and kindergarten Only exception is religious or medical exemption Student will be excluded from school until immunization requirements are meet

Mandatory Influenza (Flu) Vaccine This is to inform you that the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) mandates that all children 6 through 59 months of age attending any licensed child care center or preschool facility must receive at least one dose of influenza (flu) vaccine between September 1 and December 31 of each year (N.J.A.C. 8: ). *Students who have not received the flu vaccine by December 31 MUST be excluded from school for the duration of influenza season (through March 31), until they receive at least one dose of the flu vaccine or until they turn 60 months of age (5 years old). *Valid medical and religious exemptions are acceptable. Students who have valid medical and religious exemptions are allowed to remain in school. The school will be required to have proof that your child has received this vaccine by December 31.

First Aid School nurse takes care of accidents and illness that occur here Please take care of injuries that happen at home, at home If these injuries are bothersome at school, they may visit the school nurse

Illnesses and Injuries Will be reported to parent at nurses discretion (sometimes phone call and sometimes note) Head bump- will notify in note form of what to be aware of (will also receive phone call) Ticks- will be notified by note Classroom contagious illness- if there is a child with strep throat or any other contagious illness, whole class will receive note explaining symptoms, etc.

ILLNESS Buying a thermometer would be a great idea Temperature of 100 degrees F orally or above is considered a fever and requires exclusion If you suspect your child may be ill, try to make decision night before Your child may seem like they are ill more often. It is because they are exposed to more now that they're around more children

Illness that cause exclusion Children are excluded (sent home and/or may not attend) for vomiting, diarrhea and temperature over 100 degrees Children may not return until symptom-free for 24 hours Children with questionable pink eye, strep throat, unexplained rash A doctor’s note will be required for re- admission if a child is out greater than 3 days

Illness and return to school Fever – need to have normal temperature without fever-reducing medications for 24 hours Chicken Pox - out 7 days or until all scabbed over Contagious Disease – if anyone in family is diagnosed with one (example; hepatitis, meningitis, polio) please call school nurse before sending in Head lice

Calling your child out of school If for any reason your child will be out call extension 1 for school nurse Leave message with child’s name, grade, teacher and reason why they will be out

Medication Policy NO medication whether over the counter (like Tylenol or cold medicine) or prescription can be given in school without a Medication Permission Form filled out by the child’s doctor and signed by parent If a child is on daily medicine, get form from school nurse Medication must be sent in original container Children cannot bring in medication in backpack – safety issue Notify the nurse if any medication taken at home will alter child’s behavior Completed medication forms and medication need to be available on the first day of school

If your child has Asthma Asthma Treatment Plan and medication permission form need to be filled out yearly by physician and signed by parent Early summer, medication packet will be mailed home for completion Need to have Asthma Treatment Plan, medication form, and medication available the first day of school

EMERGENCY VERIFICATION FORM Reliable name and phone number of someone with transportation If changes please call and update Fill out and return every year

Communication Phone: School nurse number extension 1 Notes Feel free to contact school nurse any time you have a question or a concern Remember, we are now partners in the care of your children

Food Allergies Increase number of children with food allergies Encourage children not to share food We have peanut-free tables at lunch and peanut free classrooms as needed If your child does have food allergies and has an Epi-pen, please see me after for paperwork

GYM / PHYSICAL EDUCATION Kindergarten students will have gym 2 times a week Preschool students will have gym once per week Please make sure wear sneakers on those days

DRESS CODE Modest dress No spaghetti strap shirts No short shorts No flip flops Please review Student Parent Handbook

Any Questions