District Health Office

CONTACT

HEALTHY KIDS LEARN BETTER!
School nursing, a specialized practice of nursing, protects and promotes student health, facilitates optimal development, and advances academic success. School nurses, grounded in ethical and evidence-based practice, are the leaders who bridge health care and education, provide care coordination, advocate for quality student-centered care, and collaborate to design systems that allow individuals and communities to develop their full potential.  National Association of School Nurses 2017

IMPORTANT REMINDERS FROM YOUR SCHOOL NURSE FOR THE 26-27 SCHOOL YEAR

• IMPORTANT CHANGE TO THE USE OF OVER THE COUNTER PRODUCTS IN THE HEALTH OFFICE.
  • In New York State the determination of what qualifies as an over the counter product (OTC)  medication is based on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Active Ingredient List. If a product contains an active ingredient listed by the FDA, it is considered an OTC medication. 
  • There are certain common OTC products that the school nurse stocks that may be used with your permission to do so. This includes common over the counter items such as vaseline, lotion and other similar products. In accordance with  New York State Education law and school heath regulations, the administration of these OTC products requires a written order from a heath care provider and written parent or guardian consent. If you would like your child to receive OTC products during the school day, please print this form and have your primary care provider authorize along with your signature and return to your child's school nurse. 
    • OTC form
• Health plans need to be renewed each school year. This includes emergency health plans, allergy health plans, asthma health plans, diabetes health plans, seizure action plans, special procedure orders, medical excuses (such as for physical education class), and medication orders. Please return to the nurse as soon as possible.
• If your child has an order to self-carry and self-administer a rescue inhaler, EpiPen or insulin, these forms must be on file with the school nurse.
• A medication administration consent form must be completed by a healthcare provider and signed by parent/guardian for any medication to be given at school. This includes both over-the-counter and prescription medications. All medication must be in an original bottle with appropriate labels. Medication received in baggies will not be administered. All medication must be kept in the nurse’s office with the exception of those with permission to carry rescue inhaler, EpiPen or insulin.
• If your child has any acute or chronic health problems or surgery, please inform the school nurse. Please update with changes throughout the school year.
• Please keep your child home from school if he/she has:
  • A temperature above 100.4 F during previous 24 hours (should be fever free without use of medication for 24 hours before returning to school)
  • Vomiting or diarrhea during the prior 24 hours.
  • Yellow or green nasal drainage associated with sore throat, nausea or fatigue.
  • A persistent cough which has kept your child up at night.
  • Signs or symptoms of Influenza, such as body aches, chills, headache, fatigue.

For questions or concerns regarding your child's immunizations, health appraisals, health concerns and medications in school, please contact your child's building nurse directly. Go to your child's school on the district website and pick the Nurse's Office icon.