Welcome to the 2017-2018 School Year

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.