If your child is sick at home, please access the parent portal to report an absence. 

Below are some common issues, policies, and concerns that arise over the course of the school year. Please do not hesitate to call the health office to discuss any questions or concerns as I am happy to help. Your child's wellness is my focus and we must work as a team to achieve it!

COUGH DROPS

• Cough drops cannot be brought to school. If your child has a persistent sore throat, call your pediatrician because it may be something more serious that requires medical attention. You could send in a water bottle to soothe a sore throat. Your child can gargle with warm water in the health office as well.

• The district works closely with families to help manage their students’ food allergies and sensitivities. The risk of accidental exposure can be reduced if we work together to minimize the risk of exposure.
• With the growing number of students with food allergies, we may have to prohibit food at any celebrations. But for now, the district asks parents/guardians to inquire about food allergies and sensitivities in the classroom prior to sending in snacks for the class to enjoy. Please note that food processing procedures change frequently and, as a result, labels change as well. What is safe for a student in September could be a serious risk at the year-end party.
• We encourage all staff members and parents of students with and without food allergies and sensitivities to work together to provide safe snack options for all students. For information regarding ingredient labeling, visit the FDA website www.fda.gov or the Parts of a Food Label document from the New Jersey Department of Health.

FLU

• This flu season is especially dangerous. Hand washing is essential for everyone's health. In addition, the flu shot is available through April 1st - it's not too late to get one for yourself or your child. If your child has a confirmed case of flu, please do not hesitate to notify the health office. Do not send your child to school if they show any signs of seasonal influenza, which include:
  • Fever >100.0 or feeling feverish/chills
  • Cough
  • Sore throat
  • Runny or stuffy nose
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headaches
  • Fatigue (tiredness)

GYM/RECESS EXCUSES

• Parents/guardians may write an excuse for physical activities for up to two days. The note may be handwritten or emailed to the school nurse. After two days, a medical note is needed. 

HANDWASHING

• This is the best way to prevent the spread of germs. Also, covering your cough by coughing or sneezing into your upper sleeve and not your hands is a good preventative. Please reinforce these practices at home. Hand sanitizer is our friend!

HEAD INJURIES

• Head injuries can occur at any time during play or sports. A concussion is a type of brain injury that changes the way the brain normally works. You can't see a concussion. Signs and symptoms of a concussion can show up after an injury or may not appear until hours or days after an injury.
• If your child has sustained a concussion, please provide the health office with medical documentation of evaluation and any activity restrictions put in place by your doctor.
• If you suspect that your child has had a concussion or has symptoms of concussion, seek medical attention immediately. Signs and symptoms of concussion include:
  • Headache
  • Nausea/vomiting
  • Double vision
  • Changes in vision
  • Sensitivity to light/sound
  • Fatigue, feeling sluggish or foggy
  • Difficulties with concentration and short-term memory loss
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Irritability

MEDICAL INFORMATION

• Any changes in your child's medical status need to be documented by your child's physician and given in writing to the school nurse. Please update this health information yearly. 

TEMPERATURE

• If a student has a temperature >100.0 F, the child may return to school 24 hours after the temperature returns to normal (98.6F) without Tylenol/Motrin. These orders are written as per our school physician. Checking your child’s forehead is not a good measurement of temperature, use a thermometer for accuracy.

VOMITING/DIARRHEA

• If a child has vomiting or diarrhea, he/she should be excluded from school until 24 hours after the last episode of vomiting or diarrhea.