A Message From The Nurse

Nurses in the school setting enhance the educational process of students by the modifications or removal of barriers to learning, and by the promotion of an optimal level of wellness. The goals of the school nurse as stated in the North Haven Public School Nurses Procedure Book are to prevent health means of assessment, nursing diagnosis, and planning interventions, evaluation, interdisciplinary collaboration and management. An integral part of this process includes working with families to assist them in keeping their children healthy.

These are some guidelines for parents to follow when their child is ill. Please call the nurse at 239-0235 every day that your child will be ill or tardy. Please inform the nurse as to the nature of the illness. It is helpful to detect patterns of illness and inform the school of any type of contagious disease.

In order for your child to be available for learning and to control communicable disease in school, it is very important for you to keep your child at home for the following reasons :

If your child is ill with vomiting or a fever, the recommendation is that the child should not return to school until at least 24 hours after the symptoms have subsided.

If you suspect that your child may have "pink eye", the child must be out of school for 24 hours after the start of antibiotic eye drops.

If your child has been diagnosed with strep infection. ( Your child should be on antibiotics for 24 hours before returning to school.)

If your child has a moist productive cough, chest congestion, or discolored nasal discharge. (Your child should remain home for the day.)

If your child has persistent diarrhea during the night and into the morning. (Your child should remain home for the day.)

If your child needs medication at school, please see the nurse for a special form that needs to be completed by the physician and the parent. At no time is a student allowed to carry any medication on his/her person during school hours.

It is very important that your child emergency numbers be current at all times. Please contact the nurse about any changes.

If your child needs to be excused from Physical Education because of an injury or health problem:

1. A verbal request from a parent/guardian may excuse the student from physical education for one day.

2. A parent/guardian's note may excuse a student from physical education for up to one week. The nurse must be informed so that it may be determined if the student is to be excused from recess or other school activities.

3. For an excuse in excess of one week, a note is required from a physician, nurse practitioner or chiropractor. The note should also specify the nature of the disability, and the length of time the student is to remain out of Physical Education class.

4. If your child has sustained an injury at home requiring stitches, cast, or splint, please inform the nurse.

5. If a student is unable to participate in the required physical education program, a physician's statement must be presented annually at the beginning of the school year.

Free children's Health Insurance is available for infants through 19 years old from Health Start. Call 946-4855 to see if your child qualifies. It is free medical insurance for under insured or uninsured children.

If you have any questions or concerns, please call Mary Palluotto at 239-0235.