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School Health Policies Health Room Coverage: A Registered Nurse employed by the Newington Board of Education is present in the school from 8:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The school health office number is Extension . 1. Please feel free to call with any questions or concerns about your child. Your input is welcomed and encouraged.
Administration of Medications: Medication, including “over the counter” (i.e. non-aspirin preparations) is given only with written authorization of the parent and authorized prescriber (MD, NP, PA) or dentist on a designated form. Certified staff may legally administer medications if the nurse is not available. Medication must be delivered in and administered from the original container clearly labeled with the name of student, physician, and medication with directions for dosage and date of original prescription. All medications must be delivered to the school nurse by the parent or other designated adult. Students are never allowed to carry medications except for fast acting inhalers for students who have been approved by their prescriber, parent and the school nurse.
New students will not be permitted to register for school until the proper documentation relative to the immunizations are complete and in the hands of the school nurse. Pupils entering kindergarten or registering for the first time from an out-of-state school district must have a completed recent physical exam and meet the following immunization requirements: A minimum of four (4) DPT injections – the last booster given after 4th birthday A minimum of three (3) polio dose – the last booster given after 4th birthday A minimum of two (2) measles vaccines – must have been given after age one A minimum of one (1) rubella vaccine – must have been given after age one A minimum or one (1) mumps vaccine – must have been given after age one Students born 1/1/97 or later are required to show proof of varicella or immunization Effective August 2000, all students entering kindergarten must show proof of having received 2 doses of measles vaccine and Hepatitis B series Tuberculin Test
Physical Examinations: A physical examination is required for students entering kindergarten and in grade 3. A student will not enter grade 4 until this physical examination is completed. School physicians will examine those children in grade 3 whose parents have not indicated a preference to use their own physician, or if the student qualifies for the free or reduced lunch program and whose parents have signed permission . A parent wishing to be present at the time of the school physical should make arrangements with the school nurse.
Health Regulations: Policies regarding contagious diseases, administration of medications during school time, illness, and accidents are included in a health regulation letter given to each parent/guardian at time of enrollment. Medications cannot be administered by school personnel unless the proper form has been completed by the physician, signed by the parent and received by the school nurse. The medication must be in the original container with the pharmaceutical label on it.
Emergency Cards: This card should be completed for each student by the parent/guardian the first week of each school year or at the time of enrollment. Any changes of information throughout the school year regarding the Emergency Card should be reported to school immediately.
Head Lice: Head lice are small bugs about the size of a sesame seed. They live on the human scalp and lay eggs, called nits, on the hair shaft. The nits are tiny yellowish-white or grayish-white eggs, teardrop shaped, and about the size of a poppy seed. They are attached to the hair with a glue-like substance. Although nits may resemble dandruff, they will not wash, shake or blow away like dandruff does. Nits hatch in about a week, mature in 7-10 days and start producing eggs. The most common symptom of head lice is intense itching of the scalp.
Head lice are not a source of infection or disease; they are simply a public health nuisance. It is important to know that schools are not the most common place where head lice are spread. School-wide head checks are not recommended or endorsed by the Harvard School of Public Health, the American Academy of Pediatrics or the Centers for Disease Control. Immediate exclusion and “no-nit” policies are no longer practiced because they have not been proven to reduce the spread of head lice. The most effective screening occurs when parents check their own children at home, treat with a head lice shampoo and make efforts to remove the nits.
Head lice are not a sign of poor hygiene. Head lice do not jump, hop or fly. The only way they can get from one person to another is direct touching, head-to-head. The only place head lice can survive and thrive is on the human head. Pets do not carry them. Because of use and overuse of head lice shampoos, head lice have become resistant to the products that once would kill them, so no head lice product is 100% effective, even if you follow the directions to the letter. That is why combing with a metal-tooth comb and nit removal is so important.
One of the biggest challenges in eliminating head lice is parents’ discomfort in communicating about the problem with other parents when they find head lice, so they are more easily passed back and forth among close friends and relatives. School nurses are supportive advocates who will help advise you and assist you in checking or rechecking your child’s head as you deal with head lice. We handle head lice in a confidential manner, as with all health problems. Helpful Website For Information on Head Lice
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Ext. 103
