From the Desk of the Nurse

Bethel Grade School District #82

Angela Walker, LPN

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

The school nurse is an experienced professional, who, with other school personnel, plans and implements a total school health program.  Our goals are to assist each student to achieve his or her maximum potential to learn and grow.  The school nurse assists your child in maintaining good health by providing care for illness and injury as it occurs in school, counseling students, staff and parents about health matters and educating students and staff about health concerns.  The school nurse assures compliance with following state law which requires by October 15:

            Basic physical exam (Kindergarten & Grade 6)

            Basic dental exam (Kindergarten, Grade 2, & Grade 6)

            Vision screening performed by an optometrist (Kindergarten)

Yearly Vision & Hearing screenings are performed by Bethel Grade School for all currently enrolled students.

School nurses are not qualified or permitted to make a medical diagnosis.  Nurses can advise whether medical care may be needed, render first aid and care for minor illnesses occurring during the school day.  Seriously ill or injured students are transported by ambulance whenever necessary.  Parents must provide transportation in situations which are not of a serious nature.  Please be sure emergency cards are filled in completely, including available alternatives if we should be unable to contact the parents.  Please notify the nurse of any changes during the year.

WHAT ARE SOME MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE SCHOOL NURSE?

Health Appraisals

Maintain a health chart for each student which includes health history, results of vision, hearing, immunization records, physical and dental exams.  Also maintains an individual illness card which notes student visits to the nurse’s office.

Counseling

Reports health conditions to parents, makes recommendations to school staff and refers the student and family to a physician or dentist when necessary.

Administers Medications

Special medication that must be given to students during school hours will be administered only with written permission from physician and parents.  Medication is to be brought to school in a properly labeled bottle which must include medication name, dose, time, prescription number, and physician.  Medication forms can be obtained from the school nurse or a physician’s note is an appropriate substitute.  A sufficient supply (one week’s supply) of the medication should be brought to school.  If at all possible students should not be bringing medication to and from school on a daily basis.  It is important that all medication be dispensed from the Nurse’s office.  This is for the safety of all students.  Non-aspirin pain reliever, an antacid, cough or throat lozenge will be administered only if there is a signed School Medication Authorization on file.

First Aid

First aid will be given to injuries and illnesses occurring during school.  Injuries and illnesses that occur at home should be cared for at home.

Guidelines for Student “SICK DAYS”

Children with temperatures of 100 degrees or higher should stay home from school.  They should not return until they have a normal temperature for 24 hours.

Children taking an antibiotic prescribed by their doctor for contagious diseases (i.e.: strep throat, bronchitis) should not return to school until they have taken the medication for 24 hours.

Children who are vomiting or have diarrhea should also stay home.

Sports

Bethel Grade School follows the concussion protocol laid out by the SIJHSAA. A sports physical is required before the first practice and is valid for 395 days. A concussion form is required before the first practice and is valid for one school year. Please notify the nurse AND the coach of any pertinent medical information before the first practice.

FEEL FREE TO CONTACT THE SCHOOL AT 618-244-8095 WITH ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS.