School Nurse
Starting the Day Off Right
Many trips are made to the nurse’s office in the morning with the complaint of stomachache. After asking the student, it is frequently discovered that he/she has not had breakfast prior to starting the school day. North High offers a breakfast line prior to the start of the school day and vending machines that offer healthy snack options that are available during classroom hours. Please encourage your child to eat breakfast either at home or here at school. Breakfast is the fuel that starts their day off right! Getting into the habit of eating breakfast is something healthy that your child will carry into adulthood.
Student Illness and Injuries
Parents, please check your child’s temperature when he or she is not feeling well. If the temperature is over 100 degrees, you child needs to stay home until fever-free for at least 24 hours. Students also need to stay home if they are vomiting or having diarrhea. Following these steps is important to promoting your child’s health and preventing the spread of diseases.
If your child phones you from school stating that he or she feels sick, please have him or her come to the nurse with a pass from the teacher. We will discuss the symptoms with the student, check their health status, and provide the appropriate care. The student may call his or her parent from the office. We will provide a pass to go home once we speak with the parent giving consent and mode of transportation.
When students become injured at school or elsewhere, we need written information from their parent and physician (if under medical care). We especially need to know diagnosis, activity restrictions, and any other care required at school. We share this information with your child’s counselor and teacher to accommodate their school needs. We can provide an elevator key and a five-minute pass to assist students who have problems walking such as on crutches. Please call the nurse regarding any further information you may need.
Medications in School
The nurse DOES NOT keep or give any over-the-counter medication to students. Your child may carry over-the-counter medication in high school. These must be in their original containers and have a consent note signed and dated by a parent or guardian. This medication must not be shared between students.
Prescription medications MUST be kept in the nurse’s office in their original container which has a pharmacy label attached. A parental consent note must accompany the medication giving diagnosis and time of administration.
Emergency medications such as inhalers and Epi-pens may be carried by students in their original containers with a pharmacy label attached. Please provide a parental note of consent and give emergency symptoms/precautions to watch for.
Student Immunizations
When your child gets an immunization at a physician office, please provide a copy to the school nurse. The tetanus/diphtheria booster comes due sometime during high school and a copy should be provided to the school. Many students also receive boosters for Varicella, Meningitis, and HPV. Please keep in mind that all immunizations must be up to date in order for the student to remain in school.
Please call or visit with me or my assistant, Mrs. Karen DeVeydt. Our phone numbers are 415-7629 and 415-7630. Our fax: 415-7673.
Krista Stephan, RN, BSN
School Nurse