School Medical Policies
Immunizations
Children entering the Port Washington Public Schools are required by state law to have a physical examination by a New York State licensed physician. Immunizations required are MMR, DPT, Polio, Tine test for TB, Hepatitis B, and Chicken Pox. Physicals are mandated for children entering kindergarten, 2nd, and 4th grades.
Emergency Information
Each child must have on file in the nurse's office an Emergency Medical Form. It is important that you provide two or more telephone numbers for emergencies, to ensure that the nurse can reach someone if you are not home. Be sure to let the Health Office know if your work number or emergency contact numbers change during the school year. Please choose emergency contact people who are nearby and able to come for your child in the event that you are unable to come. We suggest that you share your decisions with your child.
Medication
The School Nurse is not allowed to dispense any medications, including aspirin, Tylenol, and cough medicine, without a written order from a doctor. This order must state the child's name, medication, dose and how often it is to be administered. If there are any side effects to the medicine prescribed, this should also be noted. Medication sent to school with such an order should be properly labeled with the child's name and will be kept in the nurse’s office and given at the appropriate time. This order must be updated or renewed every school year that the medications are to be taken. When filling a prescription for medication that your child will be taking during the school day, ask your pharmacist to provide you with a small bottle, labeled like the regular prescription bottle, which you can then use to send the appropriate amount of medication to school. Children are not allowed to carry any over the counter medications in school (i.e., Tylenol, nose sprays, cough medicine, topical ointments, etc.).
What Constitutes an Illness?
- Temperature over 100° F.
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
- Sore throat or stomachache.
- Eye drainage, pus or crust.
A child should be fever free for 24 hours before returning to school after an illness. Remember to call the School Nurse at 767-5360 if your child has a contagious disease such as Chicken Pox, Strep Throat, Scarlet Fever, Lice, Ringworm, Scabies, Fifth Disease, Mononucleosis or Influenza.
Tips for Preventing Lice
- Long hair should be tied back or braided.
- Check hair regularly under a bright light.
- Check behind ears and at the nape of the neck for eggs.
- Be watchful of head scratching.
- Teach your child never to share a comb, hat or headband with another child.
Allergies
If your child has a severe allergy, please communicate this to the school nurse as soon as possible (see separate section on allergies in this handbook).