Welcome to Oak Hill School Nurses Office

School Nurse

Kaleigh Verra, BSN, RN, [email protected]

Welcome! We are always hoping for a healthy school year for our students so that they can get the most out of their educational time here at Oak Hill School.

This page is going to cover some important information that we would appreciate you taking a moment to read, especially when beginning a new school year.

Immunizations

All students are required to have up-to-date immunizations according to New York State. If your child receives any non-required immunizations, feel free to notify the school to keep their health record up to date.

Health Appraisals/ Physicals

New York State law requires new entrants and students in grades pre-K, K, 1, 3, 5 and 7 to have a health appraisal or physical. A copy of the required exam form should be provided to the school within 30 days of starting school or starting those grades mentioned above. If your student is due to have an appointment during the school year, the date should be made known to the school. If an exam is already completed, please fill out the release for information and return it to the school and we can contact your health provider to send us a copy of the exam.

Health Alerts and Allergies

Oak Hill Students entering 2nd, 4th, 6th, and 8th grade do not need to have their required physical exam form completed however, we do ask that you fill out our student health history update and send it back to us prior to the start of the new school year. This way we can ensure we are aware of any changes to your child’s health, including but not limited to new medical conditions and allergies which can develop over time. Feel free to reach out directly if anything changes throughout the year as well.

The food allergy care plan and asthma care plan are forms that also help the nurse and staff care for your child.

When to Keep a Child Home with Illness

It can be hard to know when to send children to school if they tell you that they do not feel well.  Usually, the best place for them is in school, but sometimes keeping them at home to rest or calling for an appointment with your health care provider is recommended.

Please keep your child home and/or contact your child’s doctor for:

  • Fever greater than 100 degrees (taken by mouth)
  • Vomiting and/or diarrhea within the last 24 hours
  • Severe sore throat with fever, feeling ill for more than 48 hours or after exposure to strep throat infection
  • Unidentified rash on any body part
  • Persistent uncontrollable cough
  • Large amounts of mucous (liquid) from nose with or without facial pain or headache
  • Severe ear pain or fluid coming from the ear
  • Severe headache, especially with fever
  • Reddened eyes with copious discharge (yellow or clear)

If your child has a fever, it is not a good idea to give them medicine like Tylenol or Advil and send them to school because as soon as the medicine wears off, the fever may return and you will be called to come and pick up your child.

Remind children to throw away used tissues, cover their mouths when they cough or sneeze, keep their hands away from their face, and to wash hands often with soap and warm water. This will help keep everyone healthier!

Please call us with any concerns or questions.

Medications in School

Medications may be administered by the school nurse, as directed by NYS Education Department. This includes prescription AND over-the-counter (OTC) medications that are in pill, ointment.cream, inhaled, or injectable form.

In order to give children medication during school hours the following requirements must be met:

  • The Medication Authorization Release form must be signed by the parent and health care provider and returned to the school nurses office. This form is to be filled out for all medications including over the counter medications.This form is good for the entire school year, but will need to be renewed whenever there are changes to medications and/or at the start of every new school year.
  • All prescriptions must be in their original pharmacy containers and be properly labeled with the following information: the student’s name, name of medication, dosage and frequency, and the name of the prescriber. Please ask your pharmacist to dispense medication in two containers- one for home and one for school.
  • All over-the-counter medications must be in its original, unopened container with the student’s name affixed to the container.
  • Medication must not be expired. Any expired medications will be sent back home and not administered to your child. There will also be a notice sent home when medications will be expiring soon so that they can be replaced.
  • All medication must be delivered to school by an adult. Medication should not come in on the bus and will not be sent home on the bus. The student is not permitted to carry the medication.

Another great resource regarding the health and development of children/preteens, ages 9-12 years, specifically touches on mental health illnesses & developmental disorders is linked here.