Welcome back to a new school year! Hopefully everyone had a fun and relaxing summer. We have listed a few items as reminders for the new school year. Forms and links can be found on the right hand side of this page if you need any. The nursing staff can always print these off for you and send them home with your child as well.
Physical Examinations:
A complete physical
examination is expected to be on file when your child begins school. You do not
need to have your child go through a new examination if they have had one in
the past year, just bring in a copy of the most recent one or have your child’s
doctor fax it to the above number.
Vaccines:
We need a complete
record of vaccines. You have 90 days from the date of enrollment to provide
these to the school. If you are opting out of vaccines, we will need an
exemption form completed EACH school year.
Medications:
If your child needs
prescribed medication during the school day, you will need to sign a consent
form and have your doctor provide a doctor’s order for the medication. (These
forms can be obtained in the nursing office or on the nursing website.) In
keeping with Maine Law, all medications must be delivered by an adult and must
be in a pharmacy labeled bottle.
Asthma:
If your child suffers
from asthma, we ask that you provide a rescue inhaler, with mask and spacer, if
indicated. We will need an Asthma Action Plan completed by your doctor in order
to administer this. (This form can be obtained in the nursing office or on the
nursing website.) Your provider and you will need to sign this form.
Food Allergies:
If your child has a
food allergy and requires and Epi-pen for a life-threatening allergy, we will
need to put an allergy action plan in place. (You can obtain this form in the
nursing office or on the nursing website.) Your provider should complete this
form and you will need to sign it as well to give your consent to administer an
Epi-pen in the event it is needed.
Illness:
Keep your child home if
they have a temp above 100° F for 24 hours
until it is resolved WITHOUT the use of medication. Also keep your child home
if they have vomiting or diarrhea and let them rest until they no longer
have those symptoms for 24 hours. Keep in mind, that the nurse cannot diagnose
your child. We can let you know when they seem to not feel well enough to be in
school and/or when they are unable to learn due to feeling ill. Please do not send your child in to school
to see the nurse to determine if your child is ill. You know your child
better than we do and will know if they are not feeling well.
Accidents/Injury:
You might get a call
from us if your child had an accident or injury on the playground. I try to
call each time a child has an injury and may only leave a message to let you
know if it is not severe. If your child is seriously injured, we will make
every effort to reach you or an emergency contact that you have listed with the
school.
Over-The-Counter Medications (OTCs):
We have standing orders
from our school physician to administer over-the-counter medications for
certain ailments. Please do not send in OTCs in your child’s backpack. We use
these only with your permission and try holistic methods such as salt water
rinses and honey for a cough first.
Lice:
We do not send children
home if found with nits or live lice. We advise that you check your child’s
head monthly as a preventative measure. Research shows that lice are rarely
transmitted in schools. You can learn more on the Kittery nursing blog listed
above.
Water Bottles and Snacks
Please send in a water
bottle for your student and enough snacks to help them get through the school
day and be ready to learn. Even slight dehydration can make on feel tired and
have difficulty focusing.