HELLO FROM THE SCHOOL NURSES

The school nurse is employed by the school district to provide medical coverage for illnesses or accidents that occur during school hours.  We are not licensed to diagnose.  The best we can give you is an educated guess.  If you have real concerns regarding your child's health, please consult your physician.

If you question whether your child is ill any morning before school, please keep them home.  Do not send them in with instructions to "go to the nurse and she will send you home".  If you send them to school you are exposing others to your child's illness.  Earaches, vomiting, diarrhea, cough, green discharge from the nose and fevers , are definite signs your child is ill.  Please keep them home until the illness is resolved.  Fever should be normal for 24 hours before returning to school.  If you have any questions regarding any of these issues, you may call my office.  If your child is going to be home from school for any reason, please call and let us know .  If we do not hear from you, the attendance person will call you.  You may utilize our voice mail at any time of the day or night to leave a message: 866-8562 EXT 1022 for the Elementary school; 866-2230, ext 1322 for the high school.

SCREENING

Hearing and vision tests are done yearly on the state mandated grades.  Referrals will be sent to the parent if a problem is suspect. Please have the medical portion of the referral filled out by the appropriate physician and return to the school nurse as soon as possible. Scoliosis examinations will be done yearly on students in grades 5 and 6 . Referrals will be sent if necessary.

FIRST AID

General first aid is rendered to all who require it.  If the injury is extensive, you will be called or the ambulance may be necessary to transport your child to the hospital of your choice.

Accident reports are made on all serious injuries.  The school has insurance and forms will be given to you if your child requires doctor's care.  The district insurance policy only picks up what your personal insurance does not cover.

If your child becomes ill in school, we will need to have you as the parent (or your designees) pick them up as soon as possible. This is why it is so important for you to have a NURSE INFORMATION CARD on file with emergency phone numbers.  Please try to remember to update this card as numbers change.*** Be advised that no one will be allowed to pick up your child whose name does not appear on this card.

PHYSICALS

Grades K, 2, 4, 7 and 10 are state mandated years for student physicals. You may have this physical completed by your own health care provider, or it may be done here at school. Please let us know which choice works best for you and your family. If we do not hear from you, we will be scheduling your child for a physical in school by the Physician's Assistant at no cost to you.

MEDICATIONS and TREATMENTS

All medications require the following: 1) A signed doctor's order with the date, child's name, name of medication, dosage, route of administration, time given and reason it is given. 2) A signed permission slip from the parent giving the health personnel permission to administer the medication to the child. 3) The medication in its original container, properly labeled by the pharmacy. 4) All medications should be delivered to the nurse by an adult. This is true for all medicine, both prescriptions AND over-the- counter products such as cough drops, lotions, creams, cough syrups, cold pills, and pain pills.

RESTRICTIONS OF ACTIVITY

If your child has had an illness or injury that will prevent or limit them from participating in Physical education classes, a signed note from the physician is required .  We cannot excuse a student from gym class with just a written note from the parent.  You may obtain one of our limitation forms for your doctor to fill out if necessary.

Thanks so much for your help and cooperation.  Have a happy, healthy school year!

Mrs. Kathleen Priolo  School Nurse, Herkimer Elementary School  866-8562, ext.1022

Mrs. Mary Ellen Clark  School Nurse, Herkimer Jr.-Sr. High School  866-2230, ext 1322

Mrs. Leanne Alberts, School Nurse   Mrs. Alberts may be reached at either school.