Hamilton Township School District

Health Services

Role of School Nurse

To provide first-aid care to students who become injured or ill during school hours and to notify the parents/guardians when further medical care/attention may be needed.

To educate school staff about health matters that affect the student and/or staff population.

Collaborate with other school professionals, parents/guardians, and the student's healthcare team, as needed, to foster maximal student success.

It is not within the school nurse's scope of practice to diagnose or to take the place of a student's Primary Health Care Provider (physician or nurse practitioner).

When To Keep Your Child Home

Parents are encouraged to keep their children home for atleast 24 hours and to consult with a physician if the child has any of the following: open or wet sores, fever (child must remain home until they have no fever for 24 hours without fever reducing medicine), suspicious rash, diarrhea, vomiting, earache, persistent cough, temperature (100 degrees or more) and purulent drainage from the of the eye. Please follow our absentee procedures when your child will be absent. Contact your health office nurse with any questions.

Medications

If your child needs to take any medication during school hours, you must do the following before we administer the medication: This includes both prescribed and over-the-counter medications.

The parent/guardian must give the school a written request to administer the prescribed medication.

Written orders from your physician, dentist, or nurse practitioner must be provided to the school detailing the medication (over-the-counter or prescribed), diagnosis, time to be given, and duration.

The medication must be brought to the school by the parent/guardian (not the child) in the original container, appropriately labeled by the pharmacy. Parents must pick up any unused medication by the end of the school year, or it will be discarded.

Any child who received medication during the previous school year must bring in an updated doctor's order each school year before any medication can be continued.

Only the school nurse and parent/guardian are permitted to administer medications in school or on a class trip.

State laws require schools to follow strict requirements when administering medications in the school. By working together, we can ensure your child is safe and healthy while in school.

Immunizations

New Jersey State Sanitary Code- Immunization of Pupils, Chapter 14, requires all children in New Jersey Schools to have the following immunizations:

Summary of NJ School Immunization Requirements

Screenings & Services

Blood Pressure: Yearly

Hearing: Preschool, K, 1, 2, 3, & 7

Height & Weight: Yearly

Scoliosis: Grades 5 & 7

Vision Screening: Preschool, K, 2, 4, 6, & 8

Head Lice

All students with live head lice shall be excluded from school and may return after examination by the school nurse or upon receipt of a doctor's note. Students with these indications should not ride the bus until they are properly cleared by the health office nurse.

Gym Excuses

If your child sees a physician for an injury/fracture, please provide the school nurse with a note from your doctor stating the weight bearing status, use of crutches or wheelchair (device supplied by parent) and use of elevator is necessary for lower extremity issues. The student MUST have a doctor's note clearing them to return to full activity to participate in gym/recess.