WELCOME TO THE HEALTH SUITE
Our school has a full time nurse who is available to all faculty, students , staff and families. Maryland law is very clear that a student is to be in school everyday that school is in session. However, illness does happen , and in order to keep other students and staff healthy, it may be necessary to keep your child home. Here are some general guidelines to help you to determine if your child is too ill for school.
These precautions are necessary to protect other students and staff as well as to help your child return to school as soon as they are not contagious. Doctor notes can be sent to school and a parent note is required for every day that a child is absent. If you are ever not certain whether to send your child to school, please contact the nurse, or come to school with your child to meet with the nurse.
EMERGENCY CONTACTS
It is absolutely vital that current phone numbers be on file with both the nurse and the front office. If you are not available to pick up your child during the day, at least two emergency contacts must be provided. The school is not equipped to care for an injured or ill child for several hours.
HEALTH RECORDS
Every child has a health file which may be updated at any time. Please notify the nurse of new or changed medications, new diagnosis, surgeries , hearing or vision updates, new immunizations,allergies, or any change in your child.
CHANGE OF CLOTHING
Every student is requested to have a complete change of clothes in their locker. Students have spill, tears and bathroom accidents and will be more comfortable if their clothes are dry and intact. Otherwise they may miss time from instruction while they wait for clothes to be brought to school, or from being distracted by their clothes being uncomfortable. Clothing is not kept in the health suite. It’s most helpful if tops, pants, underwear and socks are provided , and changed to be seasonally appropriate.
HEAD LICE POLICY
Please keep your child at home if live lice are observed in your child’s hair. The child must be treated before they can return to school, and all live lice must be removed. Please contact the nurse to report the incident. Your child will be checked for 2 weeks to ensure that nits are being removed, and no new lice are seen. Every child should be re-treated after 1 week. Instructions as to home and environment procedures will be sent home along with a checklist to ensure all bases are covered. Children may remain in school as long as the nit (eggs) are decreasing in number, and no new nits appear. Removal of all nits is strongly encouraged.
The flu season is expected to be a busy one.
Please teach your child good cough and sneeze hygiene. Learning to cough and sneeze into your elbow as opposed to the hands is highly recommended to control illness. Good hand-washing is stressed as well. The use of soap and water is preferable to hand sanitizers. If you use a hand sanitizer, it should be at least 60% alcohol. If your child has a temperature of 100 degrees or higher, they should be kept out of school and public areas. They may return to school if they have been fever free (under 100 degrees) for 24 hours without the use of Tylenol or Motrin. As always, contact your healthcare provider with any questions.
School Based Health Center
There is a health center for the use of our students, as well as for the students of Dundalk Middle and Dundalk High. There is a nurse practitioner and a health assistant available on Tuesdays from 12:00-3:00 and Thursdays 8:30-3:00. An enrollment packet must be completed and sent to the nurse’s office prior to receiving care from the health center.
Students can be seen for illness, chronic health conditions, immunizations and to make referrals as needed. Your health insurance may be charged, but you will not receive a bill. Please contact the school nurse for an appointment or to receive an enrollment packet.