Eileen Ertel, R.N.
School Nurse

You can’t educate a child who isn’t healthy, and you can’t keep a child
healthy who is not educated…… Jocylyn Elders, M.D.

Is your child enrolled? Now in its fourth year of operation, the Wellness Center is an additional health care resource designed to promote and increase the wellness of students.  The center has hours at Deep Creek Elementary School on Monday afternoons and is staffed by a nurse practitioner.  Referrals and appointments can be made by the school nurse, Eileen Ertel.

Some examples of the services provided are annual complete physical examinations, acute illness and injury evaluation with minor treatment/referral, monitoring chronic illness, immunizations, lead testing and health counseling. All students are eligible to receive services at the Wellness Center if a current registration form is completed and a consent form is signed by the parent or legal guardian. These forms are available in the health suite. If you have any questions, please call Nurse Ertel at 410-887-6409.

TO SEND OR NOT TO SEND
HOW DOES A PARENT DECIDE TO SEND A CHILD TO SCHOOL OR NOT?
Maryland State Law is very specific. It requires parents to send a child to school every school day. The daily decision should always be weighted in favor of sending your child to school. In other words, unless there is a serious reason…

SEND YOUR CHILD TO SCHOOL.

BUT SUPPOSE MY CHILD COMPLAINS OF NOT FEELING WELL…WHAT THEN?
Take your child’s temperature with a thermometer. If the child’s temperature is 100 degrees or higher, he should remain home in bed for the day.

SUPPOSE HE THREW UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT?
If your child threw up during the night or before school, he should remain home in bed. Do not give him/her solid food, but when the vomiting has slowed give clear liquids for the rest of the day. If there is no fever and your child is feeling better ( no longer vomiting) send him/her to school the next day. If the vomiting lasts longer than a few hours or you are unsure, call the doctor or the school nurse.

MY CHILD HAS ASTHMA. SUPPOSE HE HAS AN ASTHMA ATTACK DURING THE NIGHT OR BEFORE SCHOOL? SHOULD I SEND HER TO SCHOOL?
If she is no longer wheezing, and there is medication for her in school, call the school nurse to let her know the situation. The school nurse will monitor her and call you if there is a problem. Be sure the school nurse has updated doctor’s orders, medication, and your current telephone numbers.

WHAT IF MY CHILD HAS A COLD OR SORE THROAT?
Take the child’s temperature with a thermometer. If the child does not have a fever, send him to school. (The Center for Disease Control recommends a throat culture for a sore throat that lasts three days or longer). Any time you are in doubt, call your doctor or the school nurse.

SOMETIMES WE GET UP LATE. SHOULD I SEND MY CHILD THEN?
Yes. Being late is better than being absent.
Some ways to ensure being on time:

1. Make sure your child has a regular bedtime (before 9:30 on school nights).
2. Have your child decide what he/she is going to wear and lay out the clothes the night before.
3. Put cereal bowl on the table after supper is finished…you are ready for breakfast.
4. Give your child an alarm clock. Help your child decide how much time is needed to get ready for school. Help set the alarm.

SOMETIMES MY CHILD SAYS HE IS SICK. I LET HIM STAY HOME FROM SCHOOL, BUT THEN HE WANTS TO PLAY OUTSIDE. WHAT SHOULD I DO?
If you as a parent have decided that your child is too sick to be at school, the child should be in bed. If your child feels well enough to play outside…bring him to school.

WHEN YOUR CHILD IS IN SCHOOL HE’S LEARNING IMPORTANT SKILLS NEEDED TO SUCCEED IN LIFE. GOOD ATTENDANCE CONVEYS AN ATTITUDE OF RESPECT FOR LEARNING.

SEND YOUR CHILD TO SCHOOL.

Eileen Ertel, RN, BSN