School Nurse

NC HEALTH ASSESSMENT

NC State law § 130A-440 requires that every child entering public schools for the first time in N.C. receive a health assessment.  The assessment must occur no earlier than the 12-month period prior to entering school. The medical provider, parent, and/or guardian must provide a completed health assessment transmittal form to the school within 30 calendar days of the child's first day of attendance, or your child will be excluded from school and will not be allowed to return until proof is presented, as required by law. 

UP-TO-DATE IMMUNIZATION RECORD

NC State law § 130A-152 and § 130A-155 requires immunizations for every child present in this state. Every parent, guardian, or person in loco parentis is responsible for ensuring that their child receives required immunizations.  Proof of North Carolina Vaccine-Specific requirements for K-12 School must be submitted to the school within 30 calendar days of the child's first day of attendance, or your child will be excluded from school and will not be allowed to return until proof is presented, as required by law. 
Your child can receive a health assessment and/or the required vaccines at a participating local health department or at your doctor’s office.

N.C. Exemptions:
North Carolina law provides for only two types of exemptions from required immunizations. These are medical and religious. If your child has a medical or religious exemption to this vaccine(s), then you are required to provide documentation of this exemption(s). 

Please make every effort to give your child's medication at home.  Our school has a written policy to assure the safe administration of medication to students during the school day. If your child must have medication of any type given during school hours, including over-the-counter drugs, you have the following choices:

1. You (or your adult designee) may come to school and give the medication to your child at the appropriate time(s). 

2. You may obtain a copy of the medication form from the school nurse or print the Authorization of Medication Form. Take this form to your child's doctor and have him/her complete the form by listing medication(s) needed, dosage, and number of times per day the medication is to be administered. The form must be completed by the doctor for both prescription and over-the-counter drugs. The form must be signed by the doctor and you, the parent, or guardian. Prescription medications must be brought to school in a pharmacy-labeled bottle which contains instructions on how and when the medication is to be given. Over-the-counter drugs must be received in the original container and will be administered according to the doctor's written instructions.

3. You may discuss an alternative schedule for administering medications with your child's doctor.

Students are NOT to transport medication to or from school.

An adult must bring the medication to the school office and sign it in/out.

The Medical Statement for Students with Unique Mealtime Needs for School Meals helps schools provide meal modifications for students who require them. Schools cannot change food textures, make food substitutions, or alter a student's diet at school without proper documentation from the healthcare provider

It is important for the health of all students, faculty, and staff that your child does not attend school when he/she is ill. 

Below are some examples of reasons to stay home:

1)  If your child is running a fever, please keep your child home until they are fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medications. 

2)  If your child is vomiting or has diarrhea, please keep him/her at home until 24 hours after the last episode of vomiting or diarrhea.  

3) If your child has a rash or lesion of unknown reason, he/she should be evaluated by a licensed health care provider before returning to school.  Inform the school nurse.  Please provide written documentation to the school nurse from the licensed healthcare provider indicating that your child has been cleared to return to school.

4) Open sores with or without drainage should always be covered.  If you suspect staph infection, please have your child evaluated by a licensed health care provider indicating that your child may return to school.

5) Red or pink eyes, with complaints of itching, pain, watering, drainage or crusting should be evaluated by a licensed healthcare provider.  The child may return 24 hours after the start of antibiotics with a doctor's note.  Pink eye (conjunctivitis) is highly contagious. 

6) If your child has chicken pox, he/she may return to school after clearance from the licensed health care provider and when the blisters are dried and scabbed over (5-10 days after onset).  Please call the school nurse informing her as soon as possible once a diagnosis is made.

7) If your child has a suspected concussion. Medical clearance is necessary prior to returning to learn/play.  Concussion Guidelines

If you have any medical questions or concerns, please contact the school nurse or your licensed health care provider.

Don't forget to submit an attendance note