Nurse’s Page for FAQs

Yearly Phys? Exceptions? Health Ins. Issues? Emerg. Meds? Sending Forms? Perfect Attendance? Changes in Health? Sickness at school? Call the nurse? Crutches, splints, surgery? Concussion? Lice? Fever, vomiting, etc…? Medications at school? Field trips? Chronic Illness? Food Allergy?

FAQ:

Why do you require yearly physicals that must be submitted by Aug 1st?

In order to respond to the daily needs of nearly 900 people in the school building, I need to have the records up to date and accessible from the first day of school activities in August. My care of the students is directed by a physician with parental consent to do so. No medications can be given without that written authorization . No students can participate in gym, swimming, retreats, service projects, field trips or sports without being cleared to safely participate and with parental consent to do so. The nurse must review all students charts in order to prepare for their arrival, and also to prepare other staff members to work with the students. See insurance info below.

Besides being fit to participate, what other health information do you need before the start of the year?

We need to know what emergency medications are ordered and what the plan is for the student to access them- they carry them as ordered by the doctor, or keep them in the health suite.

We need to know any changes in health or medications since the last physical.

We have to anticipate any accommodations that need to be made in activities or building usage prior to students arriving.

We have to know that students are up to date on immunizations. Please request a copy of the immunization record from your doctor if you are new to the school. Form “ 896”.

Are there any exceptions to this policy?

No, all students who attend Notre Dame Prep are expected to comply with the deadlines for yearly physicals as outlined in the student and parent handbook.

What if my health insurance only covers one physical per year and it doesn’t align with the deadline?

Whatever you do…the goal is to have clearance for the entire school year, and to have doctor’s orders for medications including over the counter meds. This can be accomplished in several ways:

  • You can ask your physician to fill out page 3 and 4 that give orders for medications and clearance for activities based on the last exam. At the next appointment, ask the physician to complete the same forms for the next upcoming school year ( this is up to the professional discretion of the physician). Forms dated after May 15th will be effective through the entire upcoming school year.Ask if you will be charged a fee for this.
  • You can obtain an interim physical at a clinic such as “minute clinic”, Pt. First or another site that offers “sports” physicals. I will accept any physical form that they use, provided it states that the student is cleared to participate in activities for the entire school year ( through June). You may request that they co-sign the over the counter medication sheet and write for any emergency medications that the student needs at school ( epi pen, inhaler etc.) also to be in effect through the entire year- some clinics will not write for any meds.
  • Ask your insurer if your yearly physical benefit is based on a “calendar year” or whether it is based on an “anninversary date”.

Can I submit my pages at a different time than the physician’s pages?

  • The entire 4 page document should be submitted at the same time. It is wise to ask for the completed form before leaving the exam, then make a copy for your records. If you don’t leave the appointment with it, please request that it be sent to your home first so that you can copy and mail or fax it to the health suite. The Health Suite Fax number is 443-921-2890. The address and Fax # are on the form.

How should I deliver the document to the health suite?

  • Fax to the health suite dedicated line: 443-921-2890 ( no other fax numbers for the school should be used)
  • Mail to the attention of the School Nurse:

Lori Williams 815 Hampton Lane Towson Md. 21286

  • Hand deliver to the receptionist in an envelope marked to the attention of the School Nurse between 9am and 2pm during the summer schedule.

My daughter plays fall sports, how do I make sure that her form is processed in time for August tryouts?

  • Please mark and/or highlight on the envelope or top of the first page “Fall Sports”

What if my child has a change in health later in the year, or her Doctor changes orders?

  • Simply download another page 3 or 4 and have the doctor update the information. If it is close to the conclusion of the school year, ask if the doctor would clear the student for the upcoming year at that time and submit it with your page 1 and 2 for the upcoming school year.

What if my child has a condition that changes her clearance to participate in activities at NDP?

  • The student should submit a doctor’s order for level of participation with dates and type of restriction. When the student is again cleared to participate, she should bring a doctor’s order to resume activities. This would not change the timeline for a renewed yearly physical document to be submitted by August 1st.

What should we do with Emergency Medications?

  • All medications should have a written doctor’s order to place in the student’s record ( or written on page 3). It should come in original packaging. The students may carry emergency medications only as directed by the physician. Epi Pens are generally kept in the nurses office at all times and in case of an allergic reaction, the student may come to the health suite or the nurse will go to the student. Inhalers should be kept by the student in her pocket or backpack. When the inhaler is used as a rescue dose, the student should let the nurse know that she used it. All students attending off campus activities must carry their home supplies with them to the event and back to their home at the conclusion of the trip.

What do I do if my child has an injury, illness or surgery that changes her mobility or activity tolerance?

  • Any change in health that impacts the student’s ability to function independently at school, or that requires monitoring, treatment, or accommodation should be done according to a Doctor’s order. Parents should call the nurse prior to returning to discussthe plan of care. The Nurse will work with Guidance and teachers to communicate the plan on a “need to know” basis. Students should come to the health suite prior to resuming classes, with a note from the Doctor for any crutches, splints,casts, wraps, or medical devices or treatments.
  • All open wounds of any kind or size should be covered with a bandaid at all times at school.
  • All infectious illness requiring antibiotics or antivirals should be reported to the school nurse prior to return to school. Antibiotics (and any new medications) must be started by the parents at home. Antibiotic therapy must be in place for a full 24 hours prior to return to school.
  • Students are not permitted to self medicate with any prescription or over the counter medications while in school. The exceptions are Epi Pens, Inhalers, and diabetic treatments only as ordered to self medicate by her physician.

What if my child gets sick at school and needs to go home?

  • The nurse will call either parent and discuss the situation with them to determine the best course of action. The nurse will have the final say based on her findings and with the health of the entire community in mind. A student with a temp of 100* or more is automatically sent home. The parents are expected to have a contingency plan in place to pick the child up within one hour of being called by the nurse.
  • No students may contact parents regarding health issues by phone or email unless in the health suite and instructed to do so by the nurse. No student may be dismissed for illness unless that dismissal is authorized by the nurse or guidance counselor/administrator in the nurse’s absence.

Should I call the nurse each time my child is home sick?

  • It’s not necessary to call the nurse unless your child is sick for 3 consecutive days, or if the child has a communicable disease. The information is helpful for the nurse to anticipate needs upon return and to track trends of illness. If you are uncertain whether it’s appropriate to send your child, a call to the nurse would be wise. The direct line to the nurse is 443-921-2750.

My child has perfect attendance and is concerned about being sent home from school…

  • The school nurse makes decisions about the individual’s ability to function in class, and potential for transmission of illness. Decisions take into account the interests of the community here at NDP as well as outside of the school setting per the State and Local guidelines . The nurse does not make clinical decisions based on academic records or goals.
  • While perfect attendance is a noble effort, community health is dependent on the good decisions of each member of the community.

How should I contact the school nurse if I have a question?

  • If a call is necessary to discuss a student’s health concerns, mornings are best. My health suite number is 443-921-2750
  • General questions about policy issues should be sent by email to

FAQ: What are the new guidelines issued by the CDC regarding students and concussions?

  • Please see the letter on PrepNet from our Trainer Kristin Brown. Our goal at NDP is to implement Impact Testing for Athletes at this time and educate coaches and parents to follow guidelines set by the CDC in 2010 through their “Heads Up” campaign. See the CDC link for a full explanation of the dangers of concussions and the new guidelines that may help prevent long term consequences of head injury. The student, coaches, trainer, nurse , parent and physician all play a role in assessing and monitoring the progress of the student following a head injury. By working together, they can reduce the risk of further and prolonged injury to the brain.

My Child had an accident/injury that resulted in crutches, splint, dressing, wheelchair, surgery….what do I do in order to return to school?

  • Contact the school nurse to discuss prior to returning to school. Bring a doctor’s note explaining the injury and treatment plan. The Doctor should write level of participation or restriction and until what date. When the student is completely cleared to participate fully, a note from the doctor should reflect that.
  • No student may use a splint, boot, crutches or other medical device without a doctor’s order. On return to school with such a device, the student should go directly to the nurse for clearance and to plan appropriately for safe mobility in the building. “Wheels” for backpacks are encouraged when any loss of mobility occurs. The nurse and guidance will work with the student to plan out the needs of the school day.
  • All wounds- however minor- must remain covered at school at all times. The nurse can help to change any problematic dressings and bandaids. Do not allow your child to leave for school with open wounds. Encourage proactive wound care with good handwashing throughout the school day.

Fever? Vomiting? Diahrrea?

  • A temperature of 100* is considered a fever that warrants being at home. Do not assess the temperature while student has advil or Tylenol in their system. Research has shown that transmissibility of illness is greater within the 24 hours following a temperature spike. Students must remain at home for 24 hours following the last temp elevation of 100*. The same is true for vomiting and diahrrea- please rest at home for 24 hours beyond the last episode.

Lice? …

  • If live lice or nits are discovered in your child’s hair, please call your pediatrician for treatment directions. Call the close contacts of your child. Evaluate all family members.
  • Notify the school nurse to discuss the plan for treatment. The nurse will determine whether any further screening within the school setting is necessary.
  • The student must return with the parent to be evaluated by the nurse prior to returning to the classroom.
  • Students are generally not excluded from school after treatment unless the nurse identifies a live louse or greater than 10 nits on the returning student’s hair/ scalp.
  • The nurse will continue to monitor for up to 10 days after treatment to determine effectiveness.

My child has a chronic illness…..

  • The nurse will develop an individual care plan that addresses the need of the student based on the doctor’s orders, and parent’s/student’s input, and nursing assessment. The information will be shared with the faculty and staff on a “need to know” basis. You may call the nurse to initiate or discuss current plans for the needs of your child. The nurse automatically initiates plans of care for Asthma, Severe Allergy, Diabetes, Concussion, and Epilepsy.
  • Students diagnosed with diabetes are required to contact the school nurse prior to starting classes at NDP and prior to returning to school after initial diagnosis. The Nurse will initiate a plan of care in the school setting based on the Physician’s orders, assessed student needs, and input from the student and Parents.
  • Students with asthma are allowed to and advised to carry inhalers at all times in the school setting (per a Physician order to do so) . The campus is large, including playing fields. Students should not expect to return to a locker room to access an inhaler during an asthma exacerbation. Please reinforce the need to have close proximity to an inhaler while in classes and on field trips. Chaperones will verify that Middle Level students are carrying inhalers prior to leaving the school for a field trip.

My Child has a food allergy…..

  • Our dining services are not allergen free. Parents may call our Catering director Cristi Barry to discuss the food preparation practices and discuss ways that the student can safely access food services and products.
  • Our goal is to keep food products out of the classroom. All celebrations are held in the dining room. Treats supplied from home cannot be considered safe for a student with a food allergy. Please discuss strategies with the student’s advisory teacher to anticipate activities that will involve foods being brought from home.
  • There is a “peanut/treenut” free table in the dining room for the use of middle level students. It is the responsibility of the teacher/monitor to wipe the table upon arrival. It is the responsibility of the students to verify with an adult whether the table has been cleaned prior to sitting down.
  • The Nurse will initiate an Individual Emergency Plan for each student with a severe food allergy that requires medical intervention per a Dr’s order. This plan will be available to the faculty and staff for offsite events.