Nurses Notes

 School Nurse Health News

Please view the change in Medication Policy for BCPS

BCPS Medical Form

BCPS Antihistamines Form

                      How do you know when your child is sick??

How do you know when your child is really sick?  Here are some guidelines to help you make this “morning decision” a little bit easier.  Suggestions for keeping your child at home:

Ø  Diarrhea and/or vomiting within the prior 24hour period.

(If your child has diarrhea and is vomiting he/she should see a doctor.

Children can get dehydrated very quickly.)

Ø  Cold with fever and thickened yellow or green drainage from nose. 

Ø  Sore throat with fever and swollen neck glands.

Ø  Cough that keeps your child awake at night.

Ø  Fever that is more than 100 degrees, taken by mouth or ear.

   (Your child should be without a fever for 24 hours before returning to school.)

Ø  Earache that is severe and persistent. 

Ø  Redness in white of eyes, yellow eye discharge and matted eyelashes.

   (This may suggest pink eye.)

Ø  Rashes with blisters, oozing and is painful. 

A good question to ask yourself as a parent is, “Would I want my child to sit next to a child with these symptoms?” 

BEDFORD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL

MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION REMINDER

·        If your child is on medication please request a separate bottle from the pharmacy for the school clinic.  All medicine must be in the original container.

 ·        Parent or guardian must administer the first time dose of any new prescription medication or any over the counter medicine that the child has never taken before. The parent should be in close supervision of the child for at least 4 hours to detect if any serious reactions occur. 

 ·        Please do not send medication to school by the child.  A parent or guardian needs to bring the medicine to school.

 ·        A physician’s authorization is required for all prescription medication, herbal medication or doses higher than the bottle recommends. 

 ·        A parent or guardian signature is required before medication will be administered.

 ·        Medicine must be picked up at the end of the school year; any medicine not picked up will be discarded.

·        The Authorization to Administer Medication form is only good for one school year.

·        Any changes in medication dosage must have a physicians order.  Each medication requires its own medication form.

·        Non-prescription medication will be administered as instructed on the box, unless accompanied with a physicians order instructing to do differently.

·        Acetaminophen (middle and high only) and emergency use Antihistamine are available in the school clinic providing there is written parent permission on file.

 ·        Parent may be contacted by the school nurse if Acetaminophen is requested more than twice in one week.

School Nurse Health News

Emergency/Medical

Parents that have a child with any medical concerns, physical handicap, asthma, diabetes, heart disorder, seizure disorder, food or bee sting allergy, etc. need to come to the clinic to discuss your child’s health needs. It is important that you fill out the required paperwork so we can assist your child with any medical needs that may arise during the school year.

Medications

-          A parent must sign a consent form before any medication can be given at school.

All medication must be kept in the clinic.

Screenings

Student screenings for vision and hearing are scheduled for September 15^th, 2011 for students in grades 3, 5, and any Kindergartener who did not have it done on their school physical and any new student to Bedford County Schools. Scoliosis screenings will be done one all 5^th grade students. Heights & weights will also be done on all students. If any concerns are identified you will be notified by a letter or telephone call. If you do not want your child screened you must send a note to the clinic stating so.

Medical Insurance

If your child needs medical insurance, FAMIS is available. Contact the nurse for more information.

Tips

-          Please encourage your child to eat breakfast at home or school everyday.

-          Make sure your child gets at least eight hours of sleep at night.

-          Health information is confidential.

-          The school clinic is a safe zone for discussion of any health questions or concerns you wish to discuss.

-          Healthy children learn better. 

                                                                                    Valerie Cote, R.N.

                                                                                    School Nurse, TJES

Thomas Jefferson Elementary School
1255 Patriot Place
Forest, VA 24551
Phone: 434-534-6159
Fax: 434-534-6240