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School Nurse

Chester Academy Nurse - Mrs. Katie Pierson

Do you need a form from the Nurse? CLICK HERE
These forms need to be filled out then delivered to school.

Emailed forms will not be accepted.

Here are some useful links:

If your child is sick please call or leave a message with the main office (887-3621). DO NOT Call your child's teacher.

What does the School Nurse Do?

School nursing is a specialized practice of professional nursing that advances the well being, academic success, and lifelong achievement of students. To that end, school nurses facilitate positive student responses to normal development; promote health and safety; intervene with actual and potential health problems; provide case management services; and actively collaborate with others to build student and family capacity for adaptation, self management, self advocacy, and learning. The school nurse links the health service program within the school and the community.

Please contact the nurse if you have any health concerns about your child. The nurse is in her office from 8AM to 3PM daily. Appointments can be made during office hours.

A School Nurse with appropriate preparation, takes a leadership role in serving as the coordinator of all school health programs in the following manner:

Health Services - serves as coordinator of the health services program and provides nursing care.
Health Education - provides health education to students, staff and parents.
Healthy Environment - identifies health and safety concerns in the school environment and promotes a nurturing school environment.
Nutritional Services - supports health food services programs
Physical Education/Activity - promotes healthy physical education, sports policies and practices.
Counseling/Mental Health - provides health counseling, assesses mental health needs, provides interventions and refers students to appropriate school staff or community agencies
Parent/Community Involvement - promotes community involvement in assuring a healthy school, serves as school liaison to a health advisory committee.
Staff Wellness - provides health education and counseling, promotes healthy activities and environment for school staff. What Services Does the School Nurse Provide?
Illness, injury assessments and interventions
Identification, assessment, planning, intervention and evaluation of student health concerns
Chronic disease management and education
Health assessments/participation in individualized Education Plan development
Chronic disease management and education
Guidelines for school district health policies, goals and objectives
Immunization surveillance and administration of Hep B clinics for grade 6
Medication administration.
State mandated health screenings including vision, hearing and postural.
Nutritional, growth and development assessments.
First aid and sick care for students and staff.
Health education, resource for teachers in health related areas.
Referral for health care/insurance.
School/community/health care provider liaison

Medication Policy

The medication policy complies with the state guidelines to ensure the health and safety of all students requiring medication in school. All medications, including inhalers and antibiotics, need to be housed in the school health office. A physician written order is necessary for medications requiring daily or as needed administration during school hours. (forms available from school nurse) If the medication is short term (i.e. antibiotics), have the physician write a note with the order.
Please note: unless your child goes to an after school program, antibiotics prescribed three times per day can be given at home.

Ask your pharmacist for a separate labeled container for any medications to be taken at school. Parents should deliver medications directly to the nurse.

Restrictions in physical activity, including physical education and outdoor recess should be noted, as needed, by the physician. If your child has asthma, the school nurse should have an inhaler and a care plan noting your child's triggers and base line pulmonary function.

At the elementary level no over-the-counter-medications will be administered without parental approval. Protocols for over-the-counter-medications as well as the Chester Academy medication administration plan are available in Health Offices.

Common Questions with Answers

Q: When should I keep my child home from school?
A: Students who have a temperature of 100 or greater, oozing skin rashes, green-yellow drainage from eyes, ears or nose, a productive cough, vomiting or diarrhea should remain at home until all of the aforementioned have been absent for 24 hours. Students should be on antibiotics for 24-48 hours before returning to school.

Q: How does the school handle head lice?
A: Students with active infestations of head lice will be excluded from school until they have received effective treatment, including the removal of nits and having their environment cleaned. Classmates and siblings of children with head lice will be checked following a report of infestation.

Q: What should I do if my child is absent?
A: Student absences must be reported daily. Please notify the school as early as possible to avoid any worry if the child does not report to the classroom. Contact the school administrator and nurse if the child is out for a prolonged illness.

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