Professional Nursing Services

Notes from the school nurse.
We strive to provide your child with a healthy learning environment. Although I am an experienced school nurse, I feel the parents are the person who best knows their child! Communications is the key, so don’t be alarmed if you are called by what may be a minor health situation. Please let us know if there is any change to your child’s health a soon as possible. Below are several important policies and protocols that parents and guardians should be aware of.

To promote a healthy school environment we ask that parents check their child’s temperature if they complain of feeling ill in the morning. Observe your child for the following symptoms and keep them home if they have: 1. A temperature of 100 degrees or more before school. Students need to be fever free for 24 hours before return. 2. A continuous moist, productive sneeze or cough or a red inflamed sore throat. 3. Vomited or has had diarrhea within the past 24 hours. 4. Symptoms from a chronic illness, such as asthma, that do not resolve after medication. 5. Suspected or diagnosed communicable diseases (examples strep throat, flu, head lice etc.) Please report confirmed communicable diseases to the school nurse as soon as possible. This will help us in alerting others to look for similar symptoms so that early diagnoses and treatment can lessen the spread and severity of the illness for everyone!

We encourage your child to eat healthy everyday! A healthy diet is key to proper growth and development. Studies have shown that students who eat breakfast learn better and do better on testing. Breakfast is available at school!

Baltimore County Public School’s Medication Policy Physician’s Authorization for Medication Administration form is completed when your child requires administration of medications during school hours. Both prescribed and over the counter medications require authorization forms which are available upon request. Each medication requires a separate form completed by a Physician or Nurse Practioner and signed by the Parent and/or Legal guardian. The physician’s office may fax completed forms to us at 410-887-0912. Medications must be brought in by an adult and cannot be sent into school with the child. Medications must be in their original pharmacy container with a valid pharmacy label specifically for the child or they will not be accepted. Each school has discretionary medications available for children above the age of four years. A consent form must be completed by the parent/guardian each school year. Medications that are available include: Acetaminophen (like Tylenol), Diphenhydramine (like benadryl), Chewable antacid tablets (like Tums) and cough drops/throat lozenges. These medications are for occasional use only. If your child requires any of the medications on an ongoing basis, then medication must be provided by the parent/guardian as required by the BCPS school policy). Students are allowed to carry: Saline or salt water nasal spray (very helpful for preventing nosebleeds and sinus headaches), Chap Stick and sunscreen. Your child must demonstrate that they have the maturity to use these items. Please make sure all items are labeled with your child’s name.

Baltimore County Public School’s protocol for student’s who have chronic and/or life threatening illnesses: For your child’s safety, if they experience symptoms related to this condition and medication is not provided to the school or if your child fails to respond to the prescribed medication 911 will be called unless a parent/guardian is able to physically be at school to pick up the child within 15 minutes of onset of symptoms. Please notify the school nurse if there are any changes in your child’s condition and of any changes to their medication. We will need to know either via a note or phone call when there are any difficulties prior to the school day and especially if medication is given.

Absenteeism: Please let us know when your child is going to be absent for extended periods of time or if they have been ill for three consecutive days. We will phone home if we do not hear from you and your child has been absent for three consecutive days. We request documentation from a physician if the student is absent due to illness for longer than 5 consecutive school days.

We welcome your input! Please feel free to contact the school nurse at 410-747-5348 between 8:30 am and 3:20 pm.

Important links:

BCPS resource:
http://www.bcps.org/offices/sss/health/

Nutritional information: http://www.bcps.org/offices/ofns/healthy_environment/ Kids

Health:
http://www.kidshealth.org/kid/