school nurse becky serin bn bsn

Becky Serin, RN BSN

School Nurse

Contact Information:

JH/HS: (517)436-9537

Elementary: (517)436-9454

becky.serin@sc-aggies.us

What's going around this week?

Cough

Stomachache

Fever

Headache

MEDICATION POLICY

If your student needs to receive medication during the school day, a Medication Authorization Form must be on file for your student. This is located under forms. This is not the same as the emergency contact sheet or health information form.

School personnel, including the school nurse, can only dispense medication to students who have a completed Medication Authorization form on file.

This is required for ALL prescription and over-the-counter medications such as Tylenol, Motrin, Benadryl, Tums, cough drops, etc. The school nurse can apply topical medications if needed.

This form must be returned to the school nurse prior to medication being administered at school.

Forms are available in each of the offices or can be downloaded under the forms section.

WHEN TO KEEP YOUR STUDENT HOME

Your child should remain at home. Please contact your child’s healthcare provider if they are having any of the illness symptoms below or any other concerning symptoms:

● Fever: A child with a temperature of 100.0°F or greater. The child should not return until 24 hours of NO fever, without the use of fever-reducing medications. If the student has a low grade fever with other illness symptoms they should stay home.

● Illness symptoms: symptoms such as cough, runny nose, sore throat, rash, vomiting, diarrhea or any behavior changes. Cough that disrupts normal activity. Pain from headache, earache or sore throat. Yellow/green drainage from eye or eye is pink, glassy looking, painful or watering.

● Diarrhea: A child has two loose or watery stools within 24 hours. The child should have no loose stools for 24 hours prior to returning to school. Exception: A healthcare provider has determined it is not infectious. Diarrhea may be caused by antibiotics or new foods a child has eaten.

● Vomiting: A child that has vomited two or more times within 24 hours. The child should have no vomiting episodes for 24 hours prior to returning to school. Exception: A healthcare provider has determined it is not infectious.

● Abdominal pain: A child with abdominal pain that continues for more than two hours, or intermittent pain associated with fever or other symptoms.

● Rash: A child with a rash AND has a fever or other illness or changes in behavior. Exclude until the rash subsides or until a healthcare provider has determined it is not infectious. Note: Rapidly spreading bruising or small blood spots under the skin need immediate medical attention.

● Skin sores: A child with weeping sores on an exposed area.

● Certain communicable diseases: Children and staff diagnosed with certain communicable diseases, including COVID-19, will need to be excluded as indicated by the healthcare provider or the health department.

PREVENTION MEASURES

Prevention Measures: Teach your family how to lower their risk of getting and spreading illnesses by:

● Washing their hands often with soap and running warm water for at least 20 seconds. That is the same amount of time as it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” twice. Make sure to also clean under the fingernails.

● If a sink or hand washing station is not available, use hand sanitizer properly. Gels, rubs, and hand wipes work well against most germs if they contain at least 60% alcohol. Throw wipes in the trash after use.

● Cough or sneeze into a tissue if possible, or their upper shirt sleeve or elbow—not onto their hands.

● Avoid touching eyes, nose, or mouth. That’s how many types of germs enter the body and also how germs can be spread.

● Avoid close contact with others who are sick, such as kissing, shaking hands, and sharing cups and eating utensils.

● Clean frequently touched surfaces such as doorknobs and mobile devices.

IMMUNIZATION INFORMATION

New students to the district, 7th grade, Kindergarten and Pre-school students:

Please be aware of possible immunizations that may be required by the start of the new school year. If you are unsure, please contact your local Health Department or your physician to clarify if your student is due or not.

Parents or guardians choosing to decline vaccines must obtain a certified non-medical waiver from a local MI Health Department prior to the school year. The health department can be reached at 517-264-5226 option 2. You can also visit the Lenawee County Health Department for more information.

Please see the following links below for helpful information:

EXCLUSION TIMES FOR THE COMMON CHILDHOOD ILLNESS

-PER LENAWEE COUTNY HEALTH DEPARTMENT-
YOUR FAMILY MEDICAL PROVIDER MAY STATE DIFFERENTLY

Disease

Exclusions (Unless healthcare provider says different)

Chicken pox (Varicella)

Until lesions crusted and no new lesions for 24hr (for non-crusting lesions until lesions are fading and no new lesions appear)

Common Cold, Croup

Exclude until 24hr with no fever AND symptoms improving

Covid-19

UPDATE 4/2/24- LCHD has issued new guidance to follow the CDC respiratory virus guidance. Stay home and away from others until at least 24 hours after both their symptoms are getting better overall and they are fever free without the use of fever reducing medications. Then take added precaution for the next 5 days.

Diarrheal Illness, no specific diagnosis

Exclude until diarrhea has ceased for 24hr or until medically cleared.

Fifth Disease

No exclusion if rash is diagnosed as Fifth disease by a healthcare provider

Hand Foot Mouth Disease

If secretions from blister can be contained, no exclusion needed and cleared by a healthcare professional. If fever, discharge from blisters or new blisters appear exclusion is required until scabbed/crusted over and have seen a health care provider.

Impetigo

Treatment may be delayed until end of the day; if treatment started before next day's return, no exclusion necessary, cover lesions

Influenza or influenza like illness

Exclude until 24hrs with no fever (without fever reducing medication) and cough/symptoms have improved.

Mononucleosis

Exclude until able to tolerate school activities; exclude from contact sports until recovered or cleared by a healthcare professional

MRSA

No exclusion if covered and drainage contained. Please see a healthcare professional for additional treatment if needed. No swim exclusion if covered by waterproof bandage

Norovirus (viral gastroenteritis)

Exclude until illness (vomiting and diarrhea) has ceased for at least 2 days; exclude from food handling for 3 days after recovery.

Pink Eye

Exclude only if diagnosed by a healthcare provider with herpes simplex conjunctivitis and eye is watering; exclusion also may be necessary if 2 or more associated children have watery , red eyes, contact LCH if questions

Ring worm

Treatment may be delayed until end of the day; if treatment started before next days return; no exclusion necessary; exclude from contact sports and swimming until start of treatment.

Strep Throat/Scarlet Fever

Exclude 12 hours after start of antimicrobial therapy or follow healthcare provider directions

Vomiting illness, no specific diagnoses

Exclude until 24hrs after last episode

Whooping Cough ( Pertussis)

Exclude until 5 days after proper antibiotics treatment or until 21 days after onset if not treated