The Nurse's Office


School Nurse: Emily Christopherson, BSN

Hours: Tuesday and Thursday, 8:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Nativity's nurse is always ready to help. School nurse services include: screening for vision, hearing and scoliosis; evaluation of health physicals; and height & weight checks. In addition, the nurse is actively involved in promoting healthy living by encouraging good nutrition, rest, physical activity and good personal hygiene.

Our nurse is an RN with years of hospital and in-school service.

Reminder:
Students can only return to school after an illness when they are fever free for 24 hours without medication.

 

got lice?
Click Here for Info

There are no current outbreaks at Nativity. This is just a good source of info if you encounter them.

 

 

 

Dear Parents/Guardians:

I feel that it is a good time to review our procedures in regards to children who are sick at school.

If your child gets sick, it is often most appropriate to keep him/her home from school.  A child who is sick will not be able to perform well in school and is likely to spread the illness to other children and staff.  Please make arrangements for childcare ahead of time so you will not be caught without a place for your child to stay if he/she is ill. Encourage good hand washing and cough/sneeze into their elbow.

Keep you child home if:

  1. Fever in the past 24 hours (without Tylenol or Motrin)
  2. Vomiting in the past 24 hours
  3. Diarrhea in the past 24 hours
  4. Chills
  5. Sore throat 
  6. Strep Throat (must have been taking an antibiotic for at least 24 hours before returning to school).
  7. Bad cold, with a very runny nose or bad cough, especially if it has kept the child awake at night.
  8. Head lice - unless they have been treated according to the nurse or doctor’s instructions.
  9. Influenza like illness must be fever free for 24 hours per CDC.
  10. Pink eye must be treated for 24 hours.

If your child becomes ill at school and the school nurse feels the child is too sick to benefit from school or is contagious to other children, you will be called to come and take him/her home from school.  It is essential that your child’s teacher have a phone number where you can be contacted during the day and an emergency number in the event you cannot be reached.  Please be sure that arrangements can be made to transport your child home from school and that childcare is available in case of illness.  If your daytime or emergency phone number changes during the year, please notify your child’s teacher immediately. Everyone needs to prepare for the upcoming flu season with alternate childcare plans.

These guidelines are meant to serve the best interests of all the children in our school.  If you have questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call 662-7572.

Emily Christopherson, BSN         


THE ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATION IN SCHOOL

The State of New York mandates that the school nurse follow the procedures listed below:

  1. All medication, including non-prescription drugs, given in school must be prescribed by a licensed medical doctor.
  2. A written request from the physician must be on file. This request must indicate the dosage and frequency of the prescribed drug.
  3. A written request from the parent to administer medication must be on file.
  4. The parent must assume responsibility to have the medication delivered to the Health Office in a properly labeled original container.

PLEASE DO NOT SEND ANY TYPE OF MEDICATION TO SCHOOL WITH YOUR CHILD UNLESS YOU USE THE PROPER PROCEDURE

PHYSICAL EXAM

Physical exams are required by New York State for grades kindergarten, 2, 4, 7, 10, and all students new to the school.

We strongly encourage you to have the physical exam performed by your child's doctor, but if that exam is not received by the school nurse, one will be done by the school physician.  You will receive one written notice regarding this before the exam is done.  If you have problems having the physical done by a private physician, contact the school nurse.

Students participating in interscholastic sports need a yearly physical.

New Immunization Requirement for 6th Grade Students:
Varicella Tetanus, Diptheria, and Acellular Pertussis (Tdap)

  1. As of the start of the 2007 school year, all students born after 1-1-94 and entering sixth grade must have proof of immunity to Chicken  Pox (varicella) before attending school.
  2. Starting September 1, 2007 all students born on or after January 1, 1994 and entering sixth grade on or after September 1, 2007 are required to have a booster shot of Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, and Acellular Pertussis)

Please check with your doctor and make sure that your child has these immunizations before the start of school.  This information has to be sent to the nurse at the school your child will be attending for 6th grade.  THIS IS MANDATED BY PUBLIC HEALTH LAW SECTION 2164.  IF YOUR CHILD DOES NOT HAVE THESE IMMUNIZATIONS, YOUR CHILD WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO GO TO CLASS AND YOU WILL NEED TO TAKE YOUR CHILD HOME. 

The proof of Varicella (chicken pox) may be one of the following:

  1. A note from the doctor saying your child got a valid dose of vaccine after one year of age,
  2. A blood test report that proves your child is immune to the disease (a blood titer),
  3. A note from the doctor saying your child had the disease.

The proof of Tetanus, Diptheria, and Acellular Pertussis (Tdap) vaccination is a note from your doctor or the clinic where the shot was given that your child either received the vaccine or the date when your child will be getting the vaccine.

Religious or medical exemptions for required immunizations must be requested in writing to the building nurse who will forward it to the proper individuals.