KINDERGARTEN/PRESCHOOL ORIENTATION
JoAnn Ricciani, RN, Certified School NurseSpringfield Township Elementary
Presentation Topics
Welcome Health Services (screenings) First Aid and Illness at school Absences Medication at school Emergency Forms Communication Food Allergies Odds and Ends
Entering Preschool/Kindergarten
Traumatic time for some parents and some children.
We are now PARTNERS in raising your child
We do care and want the success and well-being of your child
Health Screenings
All children get yearly height, weight and blood pressure
Body Mass Index BMI-for-age, is a number calculated from a person’s weight and height
BMI < 5% (underweight) or >95% (overweight), letter will go home to parent
Vision screening Hearing screening Scoliosis screening – 5th grade (and every 2
years thereafter) Parent will hear from school nurse if there is
a problem. If YOU feel there is a problem, please call
school nurse School phone 723-2479 press 1 for school nurse
Physical exams
Need a physical to enter Kindergarten (by NJ law)
Physical exam recommended at Pre-adolescence- grades 4 through 6 and Adolescence- grades 7 through 12
If you have no health insurance, see school nurse for information on NJ Family Care
IMMUNIZATIONS
NJ state law requires certain immunizations prior to entering preschool and kindergarten
Only exception is religious or medical exemption
Student will be excluded from school until immunization requirements are meet
Mandatory Influenza (Flu) Vaccine
This is to inform you that the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) mandates that all children 6 through 59 months of age attending any licensed child care center or preschool facility must receive at least one dose of influenza (flu) vaccine between September 1 and December 31 of each year (N.J.A.C. 8:57-4.19).
*Students who have not received the flu vaccine by December 31 MUST be excluded from school for the duration of influenza season (through March 31), until they receive at least one dose of the flu vaccine or until they turn 60 months of age (5 years old).
*Valid medical and religious exemptions are acceptable. Students who have valid medical and religious exemptions are allowed to remain in school.
The school will be required to have proof that your child has received this vaccine by December 31.
First Aid
School nurse takes care of
accidents and illness that occur here Please take care of injuries that
happen at home, at home
If these injuries are bothersome at school, they may visit the school nurse
Illnesses and Injuries
Will be reported to parent at nurses discretion (sometimes phone call and sometimes note)
Head bump- will notify in note form of what to be aware of (will also receive phone call)
Ticks- will be notified by note
Classroom contagious illness- if there is a child with strep throat or any other contagious illness, whole class will receive note explaining symptoms, etc.
ILLNESS
Buying a thermometer would be a great idea Temperature of 100 degrees F orally or above is
considered a fever and requires exclusion If you suspect your child may be ill, try to make
decision night before Your child may seem like they are
ill more often. It is because they are exposed to more now that they're around more children
Illness that cause exclusion
Children are excluded (sent home and/or may not attend) for vomiting, diarrhea and temperature over 100 degrees
Children may not return until symptom-free for 24 hours
Children with questionable pink eye, strep throat, unexplained rash
A doctor’s note will be required for re-admission if a child is out greater than 3 days
Illness and return to school
Fever – need to have normal temperature
without fever-reducing medications for 24 hours Chicken Pox - out 7 days or until all scabbed over Contagious Disease – if anyone in family is
diagnosed with one (example; hepatitis, meningitis, polio) please call school nurse before sending in
Head lice
Calling your child out of school
If for any reason your child will be out
call 723-2479 extension 1 for school nurse
Leave message with child’s name, grade, teacher and reason why they will be out
Medication Policy
NO medication whether over the counter (like Tylenol or cold medicine) or prescription can be given in school without a Medication Permission Form filled out by the child’s doctor and signed by parent
If a child is on daily medicine, get form from school nurse
Medication must be sent in original container
Children cannot bring in medication in backpack – safety issue
Notify the nurse if any medication taken at home will alter child’s behavior
Completed medication forms and medication need to be available on the first day of school
If your child has Asthma
Asthma Treatment Plan and medication permission form need to be filled out yearly by physician and signed by parent
Early summer, medication packet will be mailed home for completion
Need to have Asthma Treatment Plan, medication form, and medication available the first day of school
EMERGENCY VERIFICATION FORM
Reliable name and phone number of someone with transportation
If changes please call and update Fill out and return every year
Communication
Phone: School nurse number 723-2479 extension 1 E-mail: [email protected] Notes
Feel free to contact school nurse any time you have a question or a concern
Remember, we are now partners in the care of your children
Food Allergies
Increase number of children withfood allergies
Encourage children not to share foodWe have peanut-free tables at lunch and peanut
free classrooms as needed
If your child does have food allergies and has an Epi-pen, please see me after for paperwork
GYM / PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Kindergarten students will have gym 2 times a week
Preschool students will have gym once per week
Please make sure wear sneakers on those days
DRESS CODE
Modest dress No spaghetti strap shirts No short shorts No flip flops
Please review Student Parent Handbook