PCSST School Nurse Parent Letter
Dear Parents/Guardians,
Welcome to a new and exciting school year! I am looking forward to a safe, healthy and prosperous educational year.
I would like to outline some important PCSST Health Office guidelines. Please be sure to keep this letter for future reference, questions and/or concerns.
TO REPORT AN ABSENCE: Please call 973.247.0600 and follow the prompt. If you have a concern that needs to be discussed with the nurse, please dial ext. 1115.
HEALTH RELATED CONCERNS: If your child is absent due to an illness, an MD note must be provided for the absence to be excused. If your child is not feeling well and you decide to keep them home, please notify the school Registrar or Nurse. **ONLY MD NOTES CAN EXCUSE AN ABSENCE**
**IF YOUR CHILD IS EXPERIENCING EXCESSIVE VOMITING, DIARRHEA, AND/OR A FEVER PLEASE KEEP THEM HOME. ALL STUDENTS MUST BE FEVER FREE FOR 24HRS UPON RETURN TO SCHOOL**
MEDICATIONS: If your child needs to be given medication during school hours, a PCSST medication administration form must be completed by your MD or the medication CANNOT be administered. Please see following:
- All medications must be supplied in the original prescription container with the appropriate name on it.
- All medications are kept locked in the health office medication cart.
- Please DO NOT send medication to school in zip-lock bags or envelopes; it will be discarded. This is required to maintain the safety and protection of all students.
- Medications must be brought in by parents/guardians ONLY.
INHALERS AND NEBULIZERS: If your child uses an inhaler, it should be kept in the health office unless your child is allowed to self-carry/administer as per MD orders. A nebulizer machine is provided in the health office, but tubing, masks, and medications are provided by parents/guardians as per MD orders. **ASTHMA ACTION PLANS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY DOCTOR AND SUBMITTED TO HEALTH OFFICE**
ALLERGIES & EPINEPHRINE AT SCHOOL: The Allergy Action Plan must be completed by your MD and submitted to the health office. Please notify the school nurse if your child has any food, medication, insect or any other allergies. Life threatening allergies that require the use of an EPI-PEN, must be reported to the nurse and students teachers. MD orders must be completed for the permission of administration of epinephrine and the student’s individualized Epi-Pen must be submitted to the school nurse.
FIELD TRIP MEDICATIONS: Any students taking daily medications will require written permission to attend field trips and instructions on medication administration.
HEALTH SCREENINGS: State Law mandates health screenings are done on all students, which include height, weight, blood pressure, vision and hearing. If any abnormalities are found, a referral letter is sent home.
PHYSICAL EXAMS: Each student is required to have a yearly physical exam. **All forms are submitted to the Nurse**
GYM EXCUSES: If your child needs to be excused from gym, an MD note is required. **ALL GYM EXCLUSIONS ARE TO BE BROUGHT TO THE HEALTH OFFICE FIRST**
IMMUNIZATIONS: If your child received an immunization during the summer, please contact the health office so I can update their health record. Students who are not up-to-date with their immunizations are not in compliance with NJ State Law and will be excluded until proper immunization documents are received. **All documents must be stamped or signed by their physician**
If you should have any further questions or concerns please contact the health office. 973.247.0600 EXT. 1115 or suzanne.buccolo@pcsst.org.
Suzanne Buccolo RN, BSN-CSN
8-12 Campus – School Nurse