1.  How often should I update my contact info and who should I give it to?

Throughout the day nurses or other staff members may need to contact a parent. If a parent cannot be reached, an emergency contact will be called. If there are any changes in your contact info please let us know. Many times phone numbers have been changed or parents have changed jobs and the students do not have up to date information when they are sick or injured.

2.  Is the information provided to the School nurse kept confidential?

The Health Office Staff will maintain confidentiality. The nurse should be made aware of situations concerning your student's physical and mental health, and any daily medications your student takes. The nurse will ask for permission to share information with staff on a strictly need to know basis in order to help keep your child safe in school. If staff does not need to know the information to keep your child safe it will not be shared.

3.  Is it okay for my child to carry medication in school?

No, students are not allowed to carry medication of any kind. This includes all cough drops, vitamins, supplements, Tylenol, Motrin, and all over the counter and prescription medications.

4.  If a student needs to take medication during school hours, what do we do?

By district policy all medications, over the counter as well as prescription, must have a written doctor's order and written parent permission on file with the nurse. This medication order and parental permission must be renewed every year. For safety reasons, any student who needs to take medication must take it at the Health Office under the school nurse's supervision. All prescription medications must come in a properly labeled prescription bottle.  Over the counter medication such as Tylenol or Motrin  must come in an un-opened bottle.   Please do not send medication loose in a plastic bag.

5.  How can parents/guardians help prevent seasonal outbreaks in school?

In order to keep the school a safe and healthy place for your child, the school health office would appreciate parent/guardian cooperation in dealing with any possible contagious illness at school. If your child is absent due to illness, please contact your child's school and report the absence. Also, be sure to inform the school nurse if your child has been exposed to a contagious illness. Please keep your child home if he/she is not well, especially if your child has fever of 100 degrees or more, diarrhea, vomiting, a rash, greenish or yellowish nasal discharge, or discharge from the eyes or ears. Students must be fever free for 24 hours without any fever reducing agents before returning to school.

6.  What if the student is not feeling well when they are in school?

If a student is not feeling well and is unable to attend the class, the student may rest briefly at the Health Office at the discretion of the school nurse. If however, the student is not better, at the nurse's discretion,  the parent/guardian may be notified to take the child home.

7.  Will my child have a vision, hearing, or scoliosis screening?

Screenings will be provided by the Health Office each year according to Pennsylvania Standards.  Parents will be notified in writing if the result of the screening is not within the normal range. Since it is only a screening, parents are advised to refer the child to a specialist for further evaluation.

8.  What if my child has head lice?

The most important thing to know about head lice is that ANYONE can get them, and that, if your child does, it is absolutely essential to inform the school nurse.  Children can become infected in many areas such as playgrounds, after school activities, buses, theaters, trying on clothes and hats in stores.  Students should not trade or share combs, brushes or hats.  We suggest that you check your child's head weekly to look for lice or nits (the eggs that the female louse deposits on the scalp).

Scratching the head is a possible sign of infestation.  Nits usually appear close to the scalp, behind the ears or around the nape of the neck although can be anywhere on the head.  Each nit is the size of a pencil point.  They are egg shaped and have a whitish pearl color. They are sometimes confused with dandruff.  However, nits do not brush off the hair easily as dandruff does.  The adult lice are harder to find (unless there is a large infestation) as they avoid light and can move quickly from hair to hair.

Any student with an active infestation of head lice will be sent back to class.  The nurse will notify the parent and ask if he/she would like to pick the student up to begin treatment.  Students are not excluded from school if they have head lice.  Call you healthcare provider for treatment.

9.  What happens if a child gets into an accident and is injured during school?

If a student is involved in any accident and sustains an injury that may require outside medical assistance during school hours, the school nurse will try to contact the parent/or guardian in order to get medical help. The school nurse will, attend to the injured student until the parents arrive. In the case of a life-threatening situation, or other serious case, the student will be transported by ambulance to an appropriate hospital. In that case, parents will be notified to meet the child at the hospital instead of at the school.

10.  What is the school's policy regarding Physical Education participation?

District policy states that "a child well enough to attend school is well enough to participate in all activities". However, there are times when children with specific serious or chronic health conditions may need a program adjustment. If your child needs an adjustment in their school environment or activity, we encourage you to share your concerns with the school nurse. We will try to accommodate you and your child's needs whenever possible. Please notify the nurse if your child has had a recent injury, head injury, serious illness, or surgery which may require activity restrictions. Parents need to provide the school nurse with a note from the attending physician describing the type of restriction and its duration.

11. Can I send cough drops to school?  

Yes, As long as you send in a written note giving permission for your child to use them.  Have your child stop in at the nurse's office to give the written consent. At that time, the nurse will send them to his/her homeroom to give to the teacher for teacher to administer.