Health Services (Nursing)
Welcome to the Health Services (Nursing) Page!
- Home
- Philosophy & Goals
- Send Home Stay Home Guidelines
- Health Services Contact Information
- School Physician
- Required Enrollment Health & Physical Forms
- Immunization Information
- Medicine Administration and Emergency Protocol
- Communicable Disease Protocol
- Links & Resources
Home
This page contains information regarding state and local requirements for delivery of nursing services in school. Also, forms that you or your physician may need to complete for your child's school nurse can be accessed here. They can be found by topic such as physical exams, medications, health forms for enrollment, etc.
The information and web links provided on this web page are not a substitution for advice from your private physician or clinic for your child. Always consult with the medical professional that provides healthcare for your child if you have a specific health concern.
Philosophy & Goals
Health may be defined as that state in which an individual functions to the best of his/her capabilities physically, intellectually, emotionally and socially. The school has the opportunity and responsibility to influence the health of students and their families. The quality of a child’s learning is in direct proportion to their health status and their ability to adapt to any limitations. The primary goal of school health services is to strive for the optimum level of wellness in every student so learning can be achieved.
The goals of Pennsauken Public Schools’ School Health Services are:
- To identify health problems and needs of pupils and staff.
- To assist pupil in becoming increasingly responsible for their own health.
- To promote optimum level of health in all pupils and staff.
- To promote environmental safety and health within the school.
- To provide health education and health counseling for pupils, parents, and staff.
- To provide direct health services in an efficient and cost-effective manner.
- To maintain a liaison with primary health care providers and social agencies.
Send Home Stay Home Guidelines
Pennsauken Public Schools
Send Home-Stay Home Guidelines
You should use the following guidelines when deciding whether to keep your child home or send them to school. The school staff and nurse will use these guidelines to determine whether your child should be sent home from school. If you are unsure, call your child’s healthcare provider.
Fever
Fever is generally defined as a core body temperature of 100.4 F or greater (not 104). A reading of 100F or greater with any thermometer is a fever.
Your child should be without fever for 24 hours, without fever-reducing medication, before returning to school. Sick children often do not develop a fever until the afternoon or evening. If your child has a fever, do not give them fever-reducing medication (Tylenol, Advil, etc.), and then send them to school.
Vomiting
If your child’s vomiting is associated with a fever, then keep the child home for 1 day (24 hours) after fever stops without the use of fever-reducing medication.
If your child’s vomiting is caused by Norovirus (the most common cause of vomiting in schools), then keep the child home for 2 days (48 hours) after symptoms stop.
Diarrhea
A child with one episode of mild diarrhea may be able to go to school, but if he/she needs to go to the bathroom more frequently than usual due to loose stools, they should stay home. Vomiting and diarrhea illness are highly contagious. Your child should be free from diarrheal episodes for 24 hours before returning to school.
Sore Throat
Most sore throats are due to a mild viral illness and will self-resolve. If your child has no fever and does not feel ill, they may attend school. If the sore throat is accompanied by a headache, stomachache, and/or rash, he/she should see their healthcare provider to rule out strep throat or other contagious illnesses.
Runny Nose or Cough
Most runny noses or coughs are due to mild viral illnesses and will self-resolve. If your child has no fever and otherwise feels well, he/she may attend school. If your child is sick enough to sleep extra hours during the day due to their symptoms, they should stay home. This typically occurs during the first 2 or 3 days of an illness.
Red or Runny Eyes
Bacterial conjunctivitis (“pink eye”) is a contagious bacterial infection of the lining of the eyeball and eyelid. Symptoms include redness of the white of the eye or eyelid and discharge, typically cloudy or yellowish-green. If your child wakes up with their eyelid “glued together” with discharge, keep them home and call their healthcare provider. Your child may return to school after 24 hours of treatment.
Rashes
- Scabies is a common, itchy rash caused by a mite that will burrow under the skin's surface. Small bumps or raised lines are visible on the forearms and hands and on the trunk and groin area. Your healthcare provider should see your child if you suspect scabies. If your child is diagnosed with scabies, he/she must bring a note from the doctor as proof of treatment.
- Impetigo is a contagious superficial skin infection that looks like a crusty, yellowish scab or sometimes a large blister. It can be seen anywhere on the skin but is often found around the nose and lips. Your healthcare provider should see your child if you suspect impetigo.
- Staph infections/MRSA are commonly seen in school-aged children. Usually, it manifests as a pink or red, firm, sore area. It may or may not have a “head” on it, like a pimple. Your child’s healthcare provider should see your child if you suspect a staph infection. Upon returning to school, your child must provide proof of treatment, and lesions must be covered.
- Ringworm is not a worm; it’s a contagious infection caused by a fungus. Symptoms are small, red, raised, scaly, itchy patches that grow in a circular pattern. Ringworm can be treated with antifungal creams, such as Tinactin or Lotrimin. Your child may return to school once the ringworm treatment has been initiated.
All lesions must be covered.
Thank you,
Pennsauken School Nurses
Health Services Contact Information
| School | Nurse | Phone | Fax |
| Pennsauken HS | Allison Balmer | (856) 662-8500 | (856) 910-2608 |
| Pennsauken HS | Carmen Soto | (856) 662-8500 | (856) 910-2608 |
| Pennsauken HS | Shawn Johnson (Secretary) | (856) 662-8500 | (856) 910-2608 |
| Phifer MS | Stephanie Fontaine | (856) 662-8511 | (856) 910-0938 |
| Phifer MS | Anne Vizzard | (856) 662-8511 | (856) 910-0938 |
| Intermediate | Stacey Farreny | (856) 662-8501 | (856) 662-5387 |
| Intermediate | Krista Lee | (856) 662-8501 | (856) 662-5387 |
| Burling | Joy Atkins | (856) 662-1293 | (856) 662-3609 |
| Carson | Ly Nguyen | (856) 662-5751 | (856) 486-7992 |
| Delair | Rosemary Snyder | (856) 662-6164 | (856) 317-0362 |
| Fine | Colleen Otremsky | (856) 662-8568 | (856) 317-0363 |
| Franklin | Peg Gilliss | (856) 662-6455 | (856) 662-8469 |
| Roosevelt STEM | Dawn Benz | (856) 662-8464 | |
| Baldwin ECLC | Regina Mango | (856) 662-8501 | (856) 665-4134 |
School Physician
Required Enrollment Health & Physical Forms
Immunization Information
By state law, in order for a child to be enrolled in any school in New Jersey, a complete immunization record must be presented at the time of enrollment. NO child can be admitted to school without a complete immunization record.
Free Immunization Services
For children with no health insurance - infants through 18 years:
Bellmawr Regional Health Center
35 East Browning Road
Bellmawr, NJ 08031
FRIDAYS ONLY 9AM-11AM & 1PM-3PM
Call for appointment: (856) 931-2700
*LEAVE A VOICEMAIL*
Camden County residents only. Proof required.
Resident children up to 18 years of age who
currently do not have health insurance.
No immunizations will be given without the
parent/guardian bringing in a copy of the child’s
immunization record. No exceptions.
Immunization Information
Breakdown of Required Immunizations
Medicine Administration and Emergency Protocol
Daily Medications
Asthma
Asthma Management in School
If your child has a history of asthma, you will be asked to complete a parent questionnaire. This gives the nurse information regarding the symptoms and triggers of your child’s asthma and what medications he/she is taking.
Medication Policy
If medication is ordered by your physician to be given in school on a regular or “as needed” basis, additional documentation is required by law. Both the physician’s order to administer medication and the School Asthma Record are required. The nurse will develop an individualized health care plan for the student with asthma after this information is received. Please review the medication policy form below.
Self Medication Administration
If your child is cleared by their private physician to carry their own inhaler for use when needed, strict procedures are required. Review the parent information in the link below. No child can be approved for self-medication without this documentation.
It is the recommendation of the Nursing Department in Pennsauken School District that only students above elementary level be considered for self-medication. Self-medication requires a level of maturity and cognitive ability that is not acquired by most elementary school age children.
Required Forms
Epi-Pen Information
Some pupils attending schools in Pennsauken suffer from a severe, life threatening allergic reaction, called anaphylaxis. This is usually due to an exposure to a known allergen like specific food(s) or bee stings. Pupils with a history of anaphylaxis (as documented by a physician or advanced practice nurse) or the potential for a life threatening allergic reaction may require the emergency administration of epinephrine for anaphylaxis.
If your doctor has ordered epinephrine via a pre-filled auto-injector mechanism (Epi-Pen or Twinject), plans need to be developed to insure that your child’s medication is available at school and at all school sponsored activities.
Below is an excerpt from our district policy regarding the parent/guardian’s role. Please call the nurse at your child’s school to discuss these policy requirements and your child’s specific needs.
Role of the Parents/Guardians
- The parent or guardian of the pupil shall provide to the school nurse: Written authorization for the administration of epinephrine via a pre-filled auto-injector mechanism (typically an EpiPen).
- Written orders from the physician or advanced practice nurse that the pupil requires the administration of epinephrine for anaphylaxis.
- A signed statement acknowledging their understanding that the district shall have no liability as a result of any injury arising from the administration of epinephrine via a pre-filled auto-injector mechanism to the pupil and that the parents or guardians shall indemnify and hold harmless the district and its employees or agents against any claims arising out of the administration of epinephrine via a pre-filled auto-injector mechanism to the pupil.
- A current double pack of epinephrine via pre-filled auto-injector mechanism (N.J.S.A. 18A: 40-12.5). Epinephrine can only be obtained by a medical prescription, therefore the parent must provide it. The parent or guardian is responsible for replacing the pre-filled auto-injector mechanism containing epinephrine when it has expired or has been used.
- When the school nurse has designated, in consultation with the board of education, additional employees of the school district to administer epinephrine via a pre-filled auto-injector mechanism, the parents shall provide in addition to the above:
- Consent in writing to administration of epinephrine by the designated individual.
- A signed statement acknowledging their understanding that the district shall have no liability as a result of any injury arising from the administration of epinephrine via a pre-filled auto-injector mechanism to the pupil and that the parents or guardians shall indemnify and hold harmless the district and its employees or agents against any claims arising out of the administration of epinephrine via a pre-filled auto-injector mechanism to the pupil.
- The parent/guardian shall make every effort to be available to attend planned class/school trips with their child in order to provide care needed if an anaphylactic reaction occurs.
- The parent/guardian shall notify the school nurse of any extra-curricular activity in which their child is attending and/ or participating in order for the nurse to plan for the safety of the student.
- The permission is effective for the school year for which it is granted and is renewed for each subsequent school year upon fulfillment of the requirements above. If your child has a food allergy that has the potential for a life threatening anaphylactic reaction, please visit the section titled, Food Allergy, under the School Health Services webpage.
Required Forms
Food Allergies
A growing health problem in recent years in the United States is allergies to foods. According to a study by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services / Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 3 million children under age 18 in the United States were reported to have a food allergy. This represents an 18% increase among children under age 18 from 1997 through 2007.
Some pupils attending school in Pennsauken may be diagnosed with food allergies that may lead to severe, life-threatening reactions (anaphylactic reactions) requiring the emergency administration of medications such as epinephrine.
Since prevention is the primary goal in avoiding such reactions to known allergens, Pennsauken School District is committed to working together with parents, nurses, physicians, teachers and all school staff in providing a safe environment for students who attend school with diagnosed food allergies. Another important goal in managing food allergies is to promote independence in the child in dealing with his/her food allergy as this is often a lifelong problem.
Below are some highlights of the Food Allergy Management Policy adopted by the Pennsauken Board of Education. Please call the nurse at your child’s school to discuss the policy requirements and your child’s specific needs.
Required Allergy Forms & Information
Epinephrine Forms & Information
Communicable Disease Protocol
If a suspicion of a communicable disease, such as strep throat, impetigo, or ringworm, is suspected, the nurse will contact you with steps you need to take in order for your child to be treated and be able to remain in school. Some of the common conditions we see in school are:
Ringworm (tinea)
This is a round, raised, usually well-defined rash caused by a fungus. It is usually associated with itching. The student is permitted to remain in school on the day the suspected condition is discovered provided the area can be covered completely. The parent/guardian must seek medical advice and start treatment prior to returning to school. A doctor’s note or evidence that a doctor was consulted is needed prior to returning.
Strep Throat
If strep throat is diagnosed in your child, he/she may return to school 24 hours after antibiotic therapy is started provided. Also, the child should be fever free for 24 hours without using fever reducing medicine before returning Chicken Pox. Although cases of chicken pox are not as prevalent due to the chicken pox vaccine, breakthrough cases of chicken pox are occurring. The student with chicken pox is excluded from school until all vesicles (pox) are dried and scabbed. No doctor’s note is required.
Scabies
This is a fine rash usually found between the fingers and in the folds of the arms and causes intense itching. The student is excluded from school when scabies is suspected pending diagnosis and treatment. The student may return after the treatment is received and a doctor’s note is required.
Open Wounds
State law states that any student or adult with a weeping, draining would that cannot be covered shall be removed from school. The student should remain out of school until the wound is clean and dry or can be covered completely. The nurse will give you guidance if you are concerned about your child’s wound with regard to this law
Other health concerns that have been in the news lately have dealt with MRSA and bacterial meningitis. Below are links that will provide you with the latest information on these conditions. Again, this information is not a substitution for consulting with your primary care physician if you suspect any contagious condition and/or serious illness.
MRSA
Bacterial Meningitis
Links & Resources
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|