01/27/08

Saint Joseph Catholic School

our School Nurse is Mrs. Nancy Tuttle

she can be reached during school hours at 924-1677

Health Notes

     A student's health is an important factor in his/her ability to function properly in the classroom.  If he/she is very tired, has a cold or headache, skips breakfast, he/she may not feel up to the challenges in doing his/her school work.

     Please consider keeping your child home from school if he/she exhibits some of the following complaints.  An absence call should be made to the school by the parent if your child is not coming to school that day.  A note is required from the parent or physician upon return to school to the school nurse. 

1. COLD SYMPTOMS: such as sore throat, runny nose or persistent cough.  Any or all of these may also be the early stages of a contagious illness.  He/she may be uncomfortable sitting in class all day with these symptoms, so it may be a good idea for him/her to rest at home for a day or two.  (Reminders for good health practices - cover  your mouth or nose for coughs or sneezes and dispose of tissue in proper receptacles).

2. TEMPERATURE: If a student has a slight temperature in the morning (100 degrees F or higher), it may become elevated during the course of the day.  A student who has had a temperature at home, should not come to school until the temperature is under        100 degrees F for at least 24 hours.

3. HEADACHE: Be sure your child does not have an elevated temperature if he/she complains of a headache at home.  If temp is elevated, keep him/her home.

4. EARACHE: With or without an elevated temperature may indicate an infection.  Check with your doctor before sending your child to school if he/she has persistent complaints.

5. VOMITING: Occasionally, students are sent to school after vomiting the evening before or during the night.  The student should have not vomited for at least 24 hours before returning to school.

6. RASH: Unless it is a known allergy or eczema, consult with your physician before sending your child to school.  Please send in a note to the school nurse in regards to the rash and the physician's findings.

7. EYE INFECTIONS: May be highly contagious, therefore, consult with your physician before sending your child to school, at least until on medication for 24 hours.

8. EXCUSED FROM RECESS OR GYM: If the student is to be excused from recess or gym, a physician's note is required.  Please send the note to the school nurse with the reason for excuse, length of time to be excused, and the date he/she is able to return to recess or gym.

Start the day off with a nutritious breakfast. It is a long time span from dinner the night before until snack time or lunch.  Many times students get stomachaches, headaches, or are lethargic because of no breakfast and they are not able to do their schoolwork. 

Students are not allowed to carry medicines or herbal remedies of any kind with them in school. If the student is to take medication for any length of time, as appropriate medication form is to be filled out by the physician as per State Law.  A medication form may be obtained from the school nurse.  Otherwise, the parent may come to school and give the medication.