HEALTH ROOM INFORMATION

The School Health Nursing Team consists of the Registered Nurse (RN), Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), and Health Room Technician (HRT).  The RN is assigned to more than one school, so your child will most likely be seen by the LPN or HRT who is assigned to the school.

Listed below are a few guidelines to help ensure a healthy and positive experience for your child while he/she is in school:

What health information do I need to provide to my child’s school?

Physical Examination Form: All students entering Maryland schools are required to have a physical examination completed by their health care provider (HCP) within nine months prior to entering the public school system or within six months after entering the system.  Your HCP will have a form or the state form can be downloaded from www.fcps.org.

Proof of Immunization: You are required to provide documentation of your child’s immunizations before attending the first day of school. Your child will not be able to attend school until proof of all Maryland State required immunizations is received.

Confidential Health Information Cards: These cards are distributed at the beginning of each school year. Please notify Health Room Staff with any changes in your child’s health.

What if my child needs to take medicine at school?  ALL medications to be taken at school, whether prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter), must have a Medication Authorization form completed by the child’s HCP and parent.  This form is available from the Health Room Staff and at www.fcps.org.  This form along with the medication, in a properly labeled bottle or original unopened package, must be given directly to the Health Room Staff by the parent/guardian.  Students are not permitted to carry medications to and from school except for emergency medications approved by the RN and HCP.  Parent/Guardians will be notified at the end of the school year as to how to handle any unused medications in the Health Room.

What if my child is sick or injured at school?  The Health Room Staff will evaluate all injuries and symptoms of illnesses. First aid will be provided as necessary and parents/guardians will be notified as appropriate.  Documentation of the health room visit will be sent home with student.

When should I keep my child home?

Your child should stay home from school if he/she has one or more of the following symptoms:

- Temperature of more than 100 
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea                                                
- Undiagnosed rash or skin infection
- sore throat
- cough or difficulty breathing
- new onset of severe headache
- new loss of taste or smell

Please keep your child home from school for 24 hours after the last episode of vomiting, fever, and/or diarrhea. If these symptoms persist for more than 24 hours, you should contact your child’s health care provider. 

To help ensure a healthy experience at school and help prevent illness:

Notify the Health Room Staff when your child has an infectious disease such as strep throat, pneumonia, conjunctivitis, rash, etc.

Make sure your child washes their hands at appropriate times (i.e. before meals, after restroom use, after playing, after sneezing/coughing in their hands, when visibly dirty, etc.) to cut down on the spreading of germs.

Please call the health room with any questions concerning your child’s health at (240)236-4856.