~*Message from the School Nurse*~
Returning to school brings many things to your child/children, such as recess, riding the bus, making new friends and learning from a new teacher. Some other things school brings to your child is the exposure to BUGS!!!! I would like to give you some information and resources for these different types of bugs we are seeing in our schools.
First are the GERM BUGS, children are exposed to many different types of germs throughout their lifetime, but being close together in a classroom or riding the bus together causes these germs to spread easier between the students. We have already seen an increase in the number of students being diagnosed with Strep throat, Impetigo, Hand, Foot, Mouth Disease as well as stomach and respiratory viruses. I have listed a few tips to help keep your student as healthy as he/she can be as well as when to keep your child home.
Hand Washing, Hand Washing and then more Hand washing. Research shows that the best way to prevent the spread of bacteria and viruses is frequent and adequate hand washing. Our staff are continuously encouraging their students to wash their hands throughout the day, but it is an important practice to continue at home. Having students wash their hands when they get home from school and before they eat is a great routine to get into. Everyone should wash their hands with soap and water for at least 2 minutes every time they wash their hands.
If your child is sick please keep them home. We understand that many times students have runny noses, coughs, and just not feeling well. If you keep your student home every time he/she doesn’t feel well your child could potentially miss a lot of school. We do not want this either, so if your student has any of the following please keep them home. We do not want them spreading germs to other students and staff.
Fever of 100.4 degree Fahrenheit or higher
Vomiting or diarrhea two or more times in a 24 hour period
Crusty, bright red, itchy eyes and/or discharge from their eyes that is yellow or green
Sore throat that is accompanied by fever, headache, stomach ache or swollen glands
Stomach Ache that is accompanied by fever, vomiting, diarrhea, sharp pain and/or hard belly
Persistent phlegmy cough
Unexplained or undiagnosed rash
3. If you child is experiencing any of the above please keep your child home until he/she is
symptom free for at least 24 hours or until a doctor indicates that your child can return to school. Your child must be fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication such as Motrin, Ibuprofen, Tylenol or etc. before returning to school.
4. Ensuring that your child is getting enough sleep and is eating a balanced healthy diet. These
help increase the effectiveness of your immune system which is needed to prevent your child
from becoming ill.
5. If you keep your child at home please contact your school building to report his/her absences.
Research shows that students who miss a lot of school are not as successful in school as their
peers so though we do not want them spreading germs we also want them to be in school for mild illness, colds, headaches, or stomach aches. If you are unsure if you should send your child, please contact his/her doctor or provider.
6. If your child is seen by his/her doctor or provider, please provide your school secretary with a
school excuse form from the physician office so that your child’s absences can be waived. Too
many unexcused absences will be reported to our truancy officer
7. Please make sure that your school secretary has your most up to date contact information as
well as emergency contact information. There are times when your student may feel fine at
home in the morning before school, but becomes ill while at school. We need to be able to
contact you or an emergency contact to come and pick up your child if he/she needs to go home. Also if there is an emergency with your child, we need to be able to reach someone.
8. Medication at school- No prescribed or over the counter medication is allowed at school without
the written authorization form completed by the physician. This includes but not limited to
prescribed medication, inhalers, epi-pens, cough drops, Tylenol, Motrin, etc.
The medication form can be found on our district website under the School Nurse section.
These forms can be located at each school building. If you child needs or uses any type of
medication at school this form must be completed by the physician and submitted to the school
with the medication. Students found with medication on him/her are subject to disciplinary
actions. These medication forms must be completed for each school year.
9. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns at
sdorman@dowagiacschools.org or 269-782-4420 ext. 1218.
The next type of bug I would like to discuss is Head Lice. Anyone can get head lice and getting rid of head lice is a time consuming and potentially expensive experience. Head lice can be spread at school even though research shows that spreading it at school is the least likely location your child could become in contact with it. Below are some tips and resources to help prevent your child from getting head lice and then what to do if they do get it.
Check your child’s hair frequently. There are times when head lice can be more prevalent but typically your child could get it at any time.
If you believe your child has head lice, treat them immediately. It may be necessary to treat your entire family. If you are unable to thoroughly treat your student before sending him/her to school keep them at home the next day to treat them. Treatment of the house and the environment is equally as important so please ensure that you are treating your home and child’s environment appropriately.
Each school building office has resources such as treatment solutions and written information for the treatment of head lice as well as tips to assist you in treating your home etc. Please ask your building secretary for these resources. The written information is also available on our district website under the School Nurse section.
If you are unable to get rid of the head lice in your home, please contact your child’s doctor or provider as they may be able to prescribe a stronger treatment solution. Every time a head lice nit or a live bug are found the entire treatment and cleaning process must begin again.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns at sdorman@dowagiacschools.org or 269-782-4420 ext. 1218.
