Nurse's Corner


Pamela Hynes RN

School Nurse

Phone:  860-564-6059

Fax:  860-564-6130

Email:  [email protected]

 


SHE School Nurse Guidance

COVID-19

 

Plainfield Public School District is dedicated to making the 2020-2021 academic year safe and healthy for your child to learn, engage and grow the best we can during this global pandemic.

We have aligned our school health and safety protocols with the guidance from the Center for Disease Control and the Northeast District Department of Health.  Our common vision is that we all do our part – not only to keep ourselves safe but all of those we interact with.

As the Shepard Hill Elementary Nurse, we want you to know that as always, we will place the health and wellbeing of your child as a top priority.

We are asking that our families consider some of the following recommendations and tips to aid in the health promotion of Shepard Hill Elementary School:

  •  Monitor your child daily before arrival to school for any signs or symptoms of illness such as fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, loss of taste or smell, etc.
  • Keep the school up to date regarding any current health conditions or medications your child has; consider getting a letter of pre-existing conditions of similar COVID symptoms from your medical provider.
  • Consider getting the flu shot.
  • If you are called to pick up your child for an illness, please pick them up in a timely manner to prevent further contact and spread of their illness to others.  Please keep your contact information updated.
  • Students sent home from school may require medical clearance to return.
  • Please keep your school informed of travel to an Affected State for more than 24 hours.

    Tips for stopping the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19)

  •  Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds or use alcohol- based hand sanitizer with at least 60-95% alcohol after eating, using the restroom, coughing, sneezing, or touching your face.
  • Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your sleeve.  Throw away the tissue and then properly sanitize your hands.
  • Discourage touching your face, sharing drinks, food, or facial products.  Germs spread this way.
  • Discourage handshaking, high-fives, and other forms of close contact.
  • Stay home when you are sick, from school, work or other gatherings, and avoid errand when you are sick.  Avoid close contact with other people who are sick.
  • If you develop symptoms of a fever (100.4 or greater), a cough or shortness of breath please call your healthcare provider before going to their office.  This will help prevent the spread of virus.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, work or school, especially when someone is ill.

These recommendations will greatly help reduce the spread of illness throughout our student population.  If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us at the Shepard Hill Elementary School Health Office at 860-564-6059.



When Should Children Stay Home from School

 

Deciding whether a sick child should miss valuable class time can be a struggle for any parent.  Sometimes symptoms seem border line and a trip to the doctor means missing work.

The general guidelines are to keep your child home if he/she has a fever usually of 100 Degrees, or if you feel they are not well enough to participate in class, and/or may be contagious to others. If your child has been on antibiotics for at least two days and feels fine, it’s ok for them to return to school.

Sometimes your child may have few outward symptoms of illness (no cough, no cold, etc.), but still feels a little sick and has a low-grade fever.  Keep them home for the day to see how the symptoms develop.  Also, the child may feel more comfortable at home where they can get some rest.

 

Symptoms that mean a child is contagious and should not be in school are:

  • If a child has had diarrhea or any vomiting in the last 24 hours.
  • With a fever of 100 degrees a child should remain at home until he/she is fever free for 24 hours. (Without administering Tylenol or Motrin).
  • Any kind of “crusting” around the eyes, and or irritated itchy eyes. (IF child is diagnosed with “pink eye” he/she needs a full 24 hours of the prescribed medication before returning to school.)
  • Sore throat combined with fever or swollen neck glands; and
  • Any time the child is unusually fatigued, pale, lack of appetite, or just isn’t themselves. (If child is diagnosed with strep throat, he/she needs to be on antibiotics a full 24 hours before returning to school.)
  • Your child should be kept home for the first 24 hours after starting any new medication; it is the parent’s responsibility to monitor for any adverse reactions to the new medication.
  • Ear infections are not contagious, but if your child cannot concentrate and you feel the condition will affect your child’s ability to learn, a day of rest is for the best.
  • An “uncontrollable” cough.

 

If you suspect your child is contagious, it’s best to find out before you send them to school. When you are unsure about sending your child to school, consult your pediatrician. 

The health and safety of your child and other students is our priority.  If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to call the school nurse.

 

Thank you,

Pamela Hynes RN

860-564-6059


When should my child stay home pdf