General McLane School Nurses
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| Sarah Garofalo, RN, CSN Nurse High School x1907, FAX 814-273-1035 |
Nurse Middle School x2907, FAX 814-273-1038 |
Carrie Piccinini, RN, CSN Nurse Edinboro Elementary x3907, FAX 814-273-1040 |
Stacy Chiles, RN, MSN, CSN Nurse McKean Elementary x4907, FAX 814-273-1050 |
Forms
Authorization for Medication at School
GMSD Adaptive PE Form (GMSD Physician’s certificate of incapacitation for adaptive or exemption from Physical Education)
Elementary School Precautions
Stay home…
If your child has a fever
If your child has a persistent cough that is distracting and leads to inability to focus.
If your child cannot cover their cough or sneeze.
If your child is unable to stay awake without napping
If your child is unable to eat 3 regular meals
If your child just isn’t feeling well and doesn’t necessarily have a fever.
Secondary School Precautions
Stay home…
If your child has a fever
If your child has a persistent cough that is distracting and leads to inability to focus
If your child has vomited in the past 24 hours
Pennsylvania Immunization Regulations for children to attend school
(including foreign exchange students and students transferring from out-of-state)
School Vaccination Requirements
All Grades K-12 (First dose of each vaccine required for school entry. The rest are considered series vaccines and are due within the first 5 days of attendance)
- 4 doses of tetanus, diptheria and acellular pertussis. (DTaP or DTP) Must be properly spaced with 1 dose administered on or after the 4th birthday.
- 4 doses of polio. (IPV or OPV) Must be properly spaced with the 4th dose administered on or after the 4th birthday ,and at least 6 months after the previous dose that was given.
- 2 doses of measles, mumps, and rubella. (MMR) Must be properly spaced doses and administered at 12 months of age or older, or a evidence of immunity proved by laboratory testing or a written statement of disease history from a physician.
- 3 doses of Hepatitis B. Must be properly spaced doses with the last dose administered after 24 weeks of age, unless a child receives a vaccine as approved by the FDA for a two-dose regimen, or a history of hepatitis B immunity proved by laboratory testing.
- 2 doses of Varicella (Chicken Pox) – Must be properly spaced doses and administered at 12 months of age or older, or evidence of immunity proved by laboratory testing or written statement of disease history from a physician.
7th Grade (non-series vaccines – required for school entry on first day) Please note if Tdap and MCV were not given in 7th grade they are required before entry into any additional grade 8-12.
- 1 dose of tetanus, diptheria, acellular pertussis (Tdap)
- 1 dose of meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV)
12th Grade (series vaccine – due within the first 5 days of school attendance)
- 1 dose of meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV) given at 16 years of age or older
- First dose is given for entry into 7th grade (or 11-15 years of age); a second dose is required at age 16 or entry into 12th grade.
- If the first dose was given at 16 years of age or older, only one dose is required
The Department of Health requires Completed Immunizations be on file with the school within the first 5 days of school for a series vaccine and by the first day of school for a non-series vaccine, or the child will not be allowed to attend school. If the child is not medically able to have the next dose of a series vaccine, you may submit a medical certificate from your physician setting out the schedule for the remaining doses. The child may continue to attend school so long as the child complies with the vaccination schedule in the medical certificate.
The only exemptions to the school laws for immunizations are: medical reasons, religious beliefs, and philosophical/strong moral or ethical conviction. Proper documentation must be provided requesting exemption. See your school nurse for more information. If your child is exempt from immunizations, he or she may be removed from school during an outbreak.
School Nurse Services
The Certified School Nurse performs many nursing services for students including: first aid and emergency care, chronic disease management, education, physician ordered treatments and medication administration, and PA Department of Health mandated school health services. These screenings can identify potential health problems in students. If a problem is discovered a referral for follow-up will be sent home to the students’ parent/guardian. If your child has a health condition that may need attention or supportive care, please make that condition known to the nurse.
- growth screening yearly {height, weight, body mass index (BMI)}
- Vision screening yearly
- Hearing screening (grades K, 1, 2, 3, 7, and 11)
- Scoliosis screening (grades 6 and 7)
- Physical exam (Kindergarten entry into school and grades 6 and 11)
- Dental exam (Kindergarten entry into school and grades 3 and 7)
- Immunization assessment
- Maintenance of student health records
Medication Administration – Prescription and Over-the-Counter
If a student is under a physician’s care and is required to take medication during school hours, the school requires an order from a licensed prescriber (physician, podiatrist, dentist, optometrist, certified registered nurse practitioner (CRNP), or physician‘s assistants (PA), as well as parent permission. The GMSD Authorization for Medication at School form is preferred. A student who needs to carry a fast acting rescue inhaler (usually for Asthma) with them during the day, or during a school sponsored trip, should have their doctor check off the appropriate box on the Authorization for Medication at School form. A student with a life threatening allergy, who needs to have an epinephrine auto injector (EpiPen, Auvi-Q) available, needs to have the Allergy Emergency Care Plan completed by their physician and guardian.
- The medication must be in the original pharmacy labeled container. Medications in plastic bags or containers other than their original pharmacy container are NOT acceptable.
- A parent/guardian or a responsible adult designated by the parent/guardian should deliver all medications to the school.
- If it is not a required necessity for the student to take medication during school hours, arrangements should be made to dispense the medication at home.
- Unauthorized use or distribution of medication may result in disciplinary consequences.
Over-the-Counter Medications – The GMSD’s school physician writes standing orders for acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil), antacid (Tums), and diphenhydramine (Benadryl). These orders authorize the licensed nurse to administer these medications to a student if there is parental consent. At the beginning of each school year, parents complete the Student Information Form, where they can check off the medication they give permission for their child to receive.
Resources
Sleep Tight, Don’t Let the Bed Bugs Bite
Healthy Habits for Healthy Kids Booklet
Nutrition in the Kitchen Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh “Nutrition in the Kitchen” is a 92 page document created by The Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh for healthy eating for kids and families. There are numerous recipes that are easy and would be fun for the kids to help make.
Over-the-Counter Medicine Safety
Sight Center of NW PA Eyeglass for Children Program
- Remember – Students should have no fever for 24 hours, without receiving any medication, before they return to school. This is recommended by the Department of Health to help decrease the spread of the flu.
- Please remember to be pro-active and check your child’s head periodically for head lice. Two resource documents are available above to help in dealing with a case of head lice. It is also helpful to let the nurse know if your child has head lice so that close contacts at school can also be checked for lice. The nurse is always available if you need assistance, feel free to call or stop in.
Need…If your family is in need, please contact my office as many organizations and families approach my office to offer support to those in need.
Upcoming – If your 2nd grade child has had a recent dental exam, please send a copy into the nurse. This will count towards the 3rd grade dental exam requirement.
Remember if your child needs to take medication at school, even over-the-counter medication, the medication administration form must be completed by your child’s physician.
Sicknesses continue. Increase in respiratory infections and cough, still having some vomiting but more diarrhea cases. Please remember not to send your child back until 24 hours free of symptoms.
Everyone needs to dress warm for recess. Pay attention to the weather and send you child with a warm coat, boots, hats and gloves when needed.
Children Need and Thrive On Routine
The #1 tip for good sleeping habits is children is to follow a nightly routine. A bedtime ritual makes it easier for your child to relax, fall asleep and sleep through the night.
Typical Bedtime Routine
1. Have a light snack
2. Take a bath
3. Put on PJ’s
4. Read a story
5. Make sure their room is quiet and a comfortable temperature
6. Put your child to bed
7. Say goodnight and leave
TIPS:
Make bedtime the same time every night.
Make it a positive and relaxing experience without TV or videos. According to one recent study, TV viewing prior to bedtime can lead to difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep. Save your child’s favorite relaxing, non-stimulating activities until last and have them in the child’s bedroom.
Keep the bedtime environment (e.g light, temperature) the same all night long.