Skip To Main Content

Health and Wellness

 

Health and Wellness

HEALTH SCREENINGS

There are many factors that can contribute to students' success in learning and an important factor in obtaining academic success is being healthy.  This is why school health screening plays an important role in the student’s health each year. 

Every school year the nurse will screen your child's blood pressure, height and  weight.  The student’s vision, hearing and scoliosis screenings will also be done, but will be according to the NJ state guidelines.

PHYSICIANS 

The Importance of having a Family Physician or Pediatrician

Having a family doctor or pediatrcian is important because they provide consistent, preventive, and personalized care.  When you have a physician who knows your medical history and you personally you can receive continuity in your health care.  It makes it easier for the physician to treat you and make sure you have preventive care as in immunizations to prevent diseases and screenings yearly as preventative care.  At each wellness visit it is helpful for the school nurse to provide continuity of care by the physician completing a Universal Health Record (UHR).  This allows the nurse to see if there are any new health concerns such as new medical conditions or allergies. https://www.state.nj.us/health/forms/ch-14.pdf

MEDICATION POLICY

Deerfield Township district policy requires a written physician order for all prescriptions and over-the-counter medications.  The nurse must have a written prescription, along with Deerfield’s Medication form (found under “Forms”) filled out by the doctor. All medication MUST be in the original container and the label with the student’s name and directions.  Medication must be brought into the nurse's office by a parent or guardian, and may not be brought to school  by the student. 

Cough Drops need to be brought in from home by the parent with a note giving parental permission. 

 

NOTE from the SHCOOL NURSE

When To Stay Home

During the school day the children work closely with each other and colds/viruses are spread easily, we ask that you help us keep all of the children healthy by following the guidelines below.

If your child should experience vomiting, diarrhea or a temperature above 100 degrees, please keep them home from school.  When your child has been free of these symptoms for a FULL 24 hours without Motrin or Tylenol, they may return to school the following day. For example, If your child has any of these symptoms at 7pm in the evening, they are NOT to come to school the following day.

If the nurse sends your child home from school with vomiting, diarrhea or a fever, they are NOT permitted to attend school the following day.  They must be free of symptoms for a full 24 hours.

Other health conditions they require your child to be kept home from school are:

  • Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis)-Pink or red eyes with discharge, this requires a doctor's visit for antibiotic ointment for 24 hours and a doctor’s note to return to school.
  • Undiagnosed rashes- If any rashes are present the child must have a doctor’s note to return to school.
  • Anything contagious must be seen by a doctor and a doctor’s note to return to school.

If your child has Lice they are allowed in school but MUST be treated and followed by a 2nd treatment in 7 days. Head lice or nits, must be treated and all nits(eggs) removed from hair.  Students can be around a person with lice because they do not spread unless you have head-to-head contact or you share personal items such as hats, combs, hair accessories, etc..

Please call your child’s doctor or the school nurse if you have any questions.

NEW JERSEY STATE LAW REQUIRES THAT WHEN YOUR CHILD IS ABSENT FROM SCHOOL YOU SHOULD CALL THE SCHOOL TO INFORM THE SCHOOL THAT YOUR CHILD WILL BE ABSENT.  YOU MAY CALL THE OFFICE OR SCHOOL NURSE AND LEAVE A MESSAGE BEFORE SCHOOL OPENS TO MAKE THEM AWARE THAT YOUR CHILD WILL BE ABSENT.   IF YOU DO NOT CALL, THE SCHOOL IS REQUIRED TO CALL YOU AND VERIFY THAT YOU ARE AWARE THAT YOUR CHILD IS NOT PRESENT.  

Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our students and staff healthy!

Kelly Bellusci BSN,RN CSN-NJ - (856) 451-6610 x 106