WELCOME TO THE HEALTH SUITE

Our school has a full time nurse who is available to all faculty, students , staff and families. My name is Julia Anderson and I am here everyday to help our students remain healthy so they can be successful in school. There are several things I would like for you to know in order to help me to help your child to be successful and healthy in school..

Maryland law is very clear that a student is to be in school everyday that school is in session. However, illness does happen , and in order to keep other students and staff healthy, it may be necessary to keep your child home. Here are some general guidelines to help you to determine if your child is too ill for school.

1. Temperature- If your child’s temperature is 100 degrees or higher, they should remain at home until the temperature is below 100 degrees for 24 hours.
2. If your child vomits and the reason is unclear as to what caused it, or they continue not to feel well, keep your child home until they can keep food and liquid down.
3. Diarrhea- A child should be kept home if more than 2 episodes of diarrhea occur, and your child does not feel well/
4. Asthma episodes- If your child is controlled with home medication, please contact the nurse to let her know of the episode so your child can be monitored. If wheezing persists despite medication, keep your child home and contact the doctor. If your child needs medication kept in school, a doctor’s order is required and must be renewed every school year. Elementary school students may NOT carry and self-administer any type of medication in school. This is a serious safety concern.
5. Colds/sore throat/ear complaints- Take your child’s temperature and keep them home if it’s over 100 degrees. If complaints persist for more than a day, you may want to contact your child’s dactor.
6. Red/pink, crusty,eye- If you see these signs combined with an inability to open the eye by itself (it’s “stuck shut”), keep your child home and have them seen by their doctor.
7. Any unexplained rash or other unusual symptoms, please contact the doctor.

These precautions are necessary to protect other students and staff as well as to help your child return to school as soon as they are not contagious .Doctor notes can be sent to school and a parent note is required for every day that a child is absent. If you are ever not certain whether to send your child to school, please contact the nurse, or come to school with your child to meet with the nurse.
EMERGENCY CONTACTS It is absolutely vital that current phone numbers be on file with both the nurse and the front office. If you are not available to pick up your child during the day, at least two emergency contacts must be provided. The school is not equipped to care for an injured or ill child for several hours.
HEALTH RECORDS Every child has a health file which may be updated at any time. Please notify the nurse of new or changed medications, new diagnosis, surgeries , hearing or vision updates, new immunizations,allergies, or any change in your child.
CHANGE OF CLOTHING Every student is requested to have a complete change of clothes in their locker. Students have spill, tears and bathroom accidents and will be more comfortable if their clothes are dry and intact. Otherwise they may miss time from instruction while they wait for clothes to be brought to school, or from being distracted by their clothes being uncomfortable. Clothing is not kept in the health suite. It’s most helpful if tops, pants, underwear and socks are provided , and changed to be seasonally appropriate.

HEAD LICE POLICY
An unfortunate part of child hood is the appearance of head lice. Another reason to keep your child home would be if live lice are observed in your child’s hair. The child must be treated before they can return to school. Please contact the nurse to report the incident. Your child will be checked for 2 weeks to ensure that nits are being removed and no new lice are seen. . If you are aware of any close contacts, please give those names as well. Names are never given out. Every child should be re-treated after 1 week. Instructions as to home and environment procedures will be sent home along with a checklist to ensure all bases are covered. Children may remain in school as long as the nit (eggs) are decreasing in number, and no new nits appear. Removal of all nits is strongly encouraged.

The flu season is expected to be a busy one. Please teach your child good cough and sneeze hygiene. Learning to cough and sneeze into your elbow as opposed to the hands is highly recommended to control illness. Good handwashing is stressed as well. The use of soap and water is preferable to hand sanitizers. If you use a hand sanitizer, it should be at  least 60% alcohol.
If your child has a temperature of 100 degrees or higher, they should be kept out of school and public areas. They may return to school if they have been fever free (under 100 degrees) for 24 hours without the use of Tylenol or Motrin.
As always, contact your healthcare provider with any questions.
                                  
 
Wellness Center
There is a brand new Wellness Center for the use of our students ,as well as  for the students of Dundalk Middle and Dundalk High Schools. There is a nurse practitioner and a health assistant available  2 half days per week. They can see students on Mondays from 8:30 to 12, as well as on Wednesdays from 12:30 to 4. An enrollment packet must be completed and sent to the nurse’s office. If you would like your child to be seen, please contact Mrs. Anderson to set up a time.

Helpful Links

www.deltadentalnj.com - click on Kid’s Club
www.epa.gov/sunwise
www.foodsafety.gov
www.healthfinder.gov
www.healthydiningfinder.com
www.kidnetic.com
www.latherupforgoodhealth.com
www.aafa.org
www.colgate.com - click on For Children
www.chadd.org
www.checkyearly.com
www.aanma.org
www.dolesuperkids.com
www.freebreather.com

Helpful Information For Parents/Guardians