Welcome to Cole School's Health Room
"You cannot educate a child who is not healthy and you cannot keep a child healthy who is not educated." Jocelyn Elders, Former Surgeon General
The school nurse is an integral member of the educational team who works along side the educational staff in helping each child develop his/her full potential, physically, mentally and socially. Your school nurses provide comprehensive health services, teach disease prevention strategies, and promote of healthy lifestyles.
May 1, 2009
H1N1 Update
The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to normal human seasonal influenza and include:
Fever
Cough
Headache
Runny nose
Lack of appetite
Myalgias
Lethargy
It can also include vomiting and diarrhea in addition to influenza symptoms. Conjunctivitis has been reported, but is not common. Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions and invasive bacterial infection
High-risk groups: People at high-risk for complications of swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) virus infection are the same as those at high risk for seasonal.
Special Populations:
Pregnant women: Evidence that influenza can be more severe in pregnant women comes from observations during previous pandemics and from studies among pregnant women who had seasonal influenza
Children: Little is currently known about how swine-origin influenza viruses may affect children. However, we know from seasonal influenza and past pandemics that young children, especially those younger than 5 years of age and children who have high risk medical conditions, are at increased risk of influenza-related complications. Illnesses caused by influenza virus infection are difficult to distinguish from illnesses caused by other respiratory pathogens based on symptoms alone. Young children are less likely to have typical influenza symptoms (e.g., fever and cough) and infants may present to medical care with fever and lethargy, and may not have cough or other respiratory symptoms or signs.
Incubation and Infectious Periods
The incubation period for swine influenza A (H1N1) is not well documented and can range from 1-7 days, and more likely 1-4 days. Persons with swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) virus infection should be considered potentially contagious for 1 day before to up to 7 days following illness onset or until about 24 hours after symptoms are resolved. Children, especially younger children, might potentially be contagious for longer periods.
Everyone should be washing their hands, increasing their fluid intake, and getting plenty of rest. If you have concerns regarding you and your families health please call you primary physician. AND all sick children should be kept home.
IMPORTANT
Aspirin or aspirin-containing products (e.g. bismuth subsalicylate – Pepto Bismol) should not be administered to any confirmed or suspected ill case of swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) virus infection aged 18 years old and younger due to the risk of Reye’s syndrome. For relief of fever, other anti-pyretic medications are recommended such as acetaminophen or non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
VISION & HEARING screenings are completed.
Parents or guardians will be notified if their child fails one or more of these screenings. School nurses are mandated by Massachusetts law to conduct vision and hearing screenings.
4th Grade Physical Examination PARENTS don't forget to send your child's recent examination to the health room. Please use an envelop for confidenitality. Scrolling down to Physical Examinations will explain this Massachusetts law under school health.
TO THE PARENTS OF OUR NEW KINDERGARDEN STUDENTS !!!CLASS of 2021!!!
Please read below regarding immunization, lead test and physicial examination requirments by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, School Health for School Entry.
Any questions you may have just e-mail me at djackson@norwellschools. I check my e-mail often during the day.
The Role of the School Nurse includes:
Providing acute and emergency care for students and staff
Conducting mandated health screenings
Providing health counseling and education
Administering medication and performing assessment
Developing Individual Health Care Plans for students with special health care needs
Interpreting immunization and health screening data
Providing resources to access primary health care services
Promoting environmental health and safety
Providing linkage to community resources
Health and Emergency Information
You will be given a Health and Emergency Information sheet at the beginning of the school year. Please complete the form and return it to your child's school office immediately. This form provides us with phone numbers to reach parents and guardians when children are sick or injuried. Also medical conditions may be listed here.
Diagnosed Medical Conditions
When a student has a diagnosed chronic condition (i.e. diabetes, asthma, seizures, heart condition or severe allergies) it is necessary for the parents to provide that information at the beginning of the school year to the nurse and also on the emergency information form. If appropriate, students will receive a medical management plan stating what steps typically will be taken if an emergency situation occurs. This plan will be developed in collaboration with the school nurse, student and parents. Student health information will be shared with appropriate school personnel with respect to confidentiality.
FIRST THINGS FIRST Kindergarten Parents ~ Things to know:
Immunizations
Massachusetts school immunization regulations have been very effective in preventing the outbreak of vaccine-preventable diseases. Continued enforcement of the immunization regulations is essential to the health of our children. In accordance with the School Immunization Law, MGL, Chapter 76, Section 15, no child shall be admitted to kindergarten without the following:
* 3 doses of Hepatitis B
* 5 doses of DTaP/DTP (Diptheria, Tetanus, and acellular Pertussis)
* 4 doses of Polio
* 2 doses of MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella)
* 1 dose of Varicella or "physician-certified" reliable history of chicken pox with date of
disease
Exemptions to Immunizations
There are two situations in which children who are not properly immunized may be admitted to school:
1. a medical exemption by physician submitted document
2. a religious exemption with a written statement
Philosophical exemptions are not allowed by law in Massachusetts, even if signed by a
physician. Only medical and religious exemptions are acceptable.
105CMR 220.000 and M.G.L. c.76, ss. 15, 15C and 15D
Please call me with any questions you may have regarding the immunization status of your child.
Lead Testing
Why?
Lead Testing is done because when this metal gets into the body it harmful to people, especially children and pregnant women. Lead is found in older paint and other places in the home and community. Most pediatricians do routine fingersticks to screen for lead. Please check your child's physical exam report to make sure one is listed (complete date is needed).
Physical Examinations
A recent physical examination is required for entry into kindergarten. This information will be attached to your child's Massachusetts School Health Record. After kindergarten the next routine physical examination for our records will be in the fourth grade. A yearly physical examination report is not needed for our school records.
Fourth Grade Physical Examinations
A physical examination of the school child is the combined responsibility of the school and the family. Under M.G.L. c. 71, s. 57 and related amendments and regulations (105 CMR 200.000-2000.920), a physical examination is required at this interval of your child’s education. The objectives to this health examination are to understand and follow up on health conditions that may adversely affect the student’s well being and ability to learn
Your family physician, who has a comprehensive knowledge of the health and immunization status of your child, should forward their private form to you for our records. Any physical exams done during the third and fourth grades will be accepted. FYI-The Mass Gov link listed below will give you a standard physicial examination form for your physician. This is not a mandatory form.
Attendance
If your child will be absent, please call the school in the morning. This a security measure to insure all children are safe and where they are suppose to be. We have a telephone absent line for you to leave a message when the office is closed. Thank you in advance for your cooperation regarding this safety measure.
The importance of good personal hygine cannot be over-emphasized. Please review with your children good handwashing technique and their responsilibity in preventing the spread of germs and diseases
The Healthy Classroom
These simple measures while seeming quite simple, will make a big difference in the health and well-being students and their families.
Perhaps the simplest and most effective way is to wash your hands often-with soap and warm water. Rub your hands vigorously together and scrub all surfaces. Wash for at least 20 seconds. It is the soap combined with the scrubbing action that helps dislodge and remove germs. Use regular soap. Antibacterial soap is not necessary.
When soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based disposable hands wipes or get sanitizers. You can find then in most supermarkets and drugstores. If using a gel, rub the gel in your hands until they are dry. The gel doesn’t need water to work: the alcohol in the gel kills germs that cause colds and the flu. However, alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers do not remove dirt.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when people touch something that is contaminated with germs and then touch their eyes, nose or mouth. Germs can live for a long time (some can live for 2 hours or more) on surfaces like doorknob, desks and tables.
As recommended by the Center for Disease Control cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve not your hands or cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough and sneeze. Viruses that infect the nose, throat and lungs cause illnesses like the flu (influenza). The flu usually spreads from person to person when an infected person coughs or sneezes and the droplets from the cough or sneeze move through the air and are deposited on the mouth or nose of people nearby. For more information please visit www.mass.gov/handwashing.
As always eating good healthy foods and getting proper rest plays a big part in keeping the classroom healthy. Your child should bring to school healthy foods for their daily snack. Please no candy especially before lunch! Also bringing soda to school is strongly discouraged.
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Is Your Child Too Sick For School?
Deciding when a child is too sick to send to school can be a difficult decision for parents to make. When trying to decide, use the guidelines below to help you. They are in compliance with the Department of Public Health and our school physician, Dr. Donna Zambuto.
SEND TO SCHOOL
• Mild cold symptoms, stuffy nose, mild cough without fever unless they feel ill.
• Ear infections without fever (unless child is uncomfortable)
• Vague complaints of aches, pains or fatigue
STAY AT HOME
• Chicken Pox – students must stay home three days after the onset of new
and until all lesions are crusted over with a note from the physician.
• Conjunctivitis - eyes may appear pink with white or yellow discharge and eyelids
may be matted after sleep. Pain or itchiness may be present. Children may
return to school after 24 hours of treatment.
• Cough - productive of thick sputum or coupled with thick nasal drainage
• Coxsackie virus (hand, foot and mouth syndrome) – a student must be fever free
for 24 hr. and feel well to return to school.
• Diarrhea - three or more watery stools in a 24 hour period, especially if your
child acts or looks ill or other symptoms are present.
• Fever – temperature of 100 degrees or higher. Child should be fever free for 24
hours, without fever controlling medicines, before returning to school.
• Fifth Disease – only if fever is present. By the time the rash appears students are
no longer contagious.
• Impetigo – students may return to school 24 hours after treatment starts.
• Lice – may return to school after treatment and nits (eggs) are removed. Your
student must be seen by the school nurse before returning to school.
• Scabies – 24 hours of appropriate treatment before returning to school.
• Shingles – a student with shingles will need to stay home until the rash is crusted
and dry or can be completely covered in school.
• Sore Throat – with fever and swollen glands.
• Strep Throat – a full 24 hours of treatment before a child may return to school
• Vomiting – child should be kept home 24 hours after last vomiting
Please notify Ms. Jackson if your child has an illness that is contagious and remember to call the office anytime your child is going to be absent from school.
Keep sick kids home from school. Sending a sick child to school puts other children and staff at risk for becoming ill. If sick children are kept at home we will have a stronger, healthier, and happier learning environment.
Medication Policy
The Norwell Public Schools Medication policy encourages student's medication be administered before and after school if possible. When medication is needed during school hours there must be a physician's order and a parental permission form with the medication.
Medication must be delivered to the school in a pharmacy or manufacturer labeled container by the parent or guardian. No child is permitted to carry medication to school. Please contact me as soon as possible if your child will need medication during the school day so that we can impliment a medication plan.
Lice To prevent the spread of lice, it is very important to notify the school nurse if your child has a confirmed or suspected case.
The word lice often distresses parents and can disrupt the home life. Here are a few facts all parents and guardians should be aware of regarding this issue.
1. Having head lice does not mean a person is dirty.
2. Lice are small insects that are the size of sesame seeds and are usually light brown in
color.
3. Lice do not transmit pathogens (diseases).
4. Nits (eggs) are tiny, white oval specks attached to hair shafts. Nits are cemented to the
hair and are not easily removed unlike dandruff.
5. Nits may be found throughout the hair and cannot be washed away.
6. Lice and their eggs are found only on humans.
7. The adult head lice cannot survive for more than 48 hours apart from the human host.
8. Your health care provider can recommend an appropriate shampoo treatment.
Students must be cleared to come back to school by the school nurse.
Check out these guidelines listed below to help!
Work under a good light, such as a lamp or natural sunlight by sitting next to a window or going outside.
Look through divided sections of hair for attached nits (lice eggs) and live lice.
Nits are always oval-shaped, while usually grayish-white, they can vary in color.
Viable nits are generally laid close to the scalp but can be found anywhere on the hair shaft.
Remember, all lice-killing products are pesticides. If you choose to purchase an over-the-counter treatment, follow the directions carefully and use with caution. Consult your pharmacist or physician before applying or using lice treatment pesticides when the person involved is pregnant, nursing, has allergies, asthma, epilepsy, pre-existing medical conditions, or has lice or nits in the eyebrows or eyelashes.
Never use a pesticide on or near the eyes.
Wash bedding and recently worn clothing in hot water and dry in hot dryer. Vacuuming is the safest and best way to remove lice or fallen hairs with attached nits from upholstered furniture, rugs, stuffed animals and car seats. Avoid lice sprays!
Even under the best of conditions, a few lice or nits may be missed. Check the infested person every day and regularly thereafter. Seeing a nit or two the next day does not necessarily mean reinfestation. Always remove the nit.
If additional nits (at least 3-5 per day) are discovered, this may signal that live lice may be on the head.
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