School Nurse
HEALTHY LIVING HABITS:
*Many students are coming into the Nurse’s Office with stomach problems and upper respiratory illnesses, especially cold viruses. The spread of all these illnesses can be prevented by doing a few easy things: maintaining healthy living habits, practicing good hand washing, and not going to public places when you are ill.
*Please check your child’s temperature when he or she is not feeling well. If the temperature is over 100 degrees, the 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 your child, check health status, and provide the appropriate care. Your student may call you 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.
MEDICAL EMERGENCIES:
*We are finding that as emergencies happen, we do not have all the necessary information needed to effectively treat students. If your child is on medications, it is important that the Nurse’s Office has this information. All information shared with the Nurse’s Office is confidential. Please notify us of any new medications or changes in medication dosage. We are also finding that much of the emergency contact information that was received at the beginning of the year is out of date. It is so important that we have correct up-to-date information in case of an emergency. Please notify the Registrar or Grade Level Principal’s Secretary of any changes so that you may be contacted in an emergency.
MEDICATIONS:
*The nurse DOES NOT keep or give any over-the-counter medication to students. Your child may carry over-the-counter medications in high school. These medications such as Tylenol, Advil, Aleve, and cold medications 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.
IMMUNIZATIONS:
*When your child gets an immunization at a physician's office, please provide a copy to the school nurse. The tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis booster comes due sometime during high school and a copy should be provided to the school. 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