Dear Parent or Guardian:
Health services in Ridley School District are performed by a team consisting of a Family Nurse Practitioner, Certified School Nurses, Registered Nurses, a Dental Hygienist, and Clerical Assistants. Full time services are available at Ridley High School, Ridley Middle School and in the elementary schools. Part time nursing services are available in the local parochial schools.
First aid and emergency care tor illnesses and injuries are provided in case of accident or illness during the school day. Parents should consult their family physician for care of symptoms that occur outside of school hours. It is not always possible for the School Nurse to evaluate situations that should be handled from home.
Please notify the school if your child is being treated for any condition, which is considered to be contagious. Your child will be readmitted to school after consultation with the school nurse and may require a certificate of readmission from a physician.
Children should not be sent to school sick. Children must be fever free for 24 hours and able to eat their normal diet for 2-3 meals before returning. Children must also be free of contagious illness or under proper treatment as determined by the school nurse in consultation with the parent and physician.
Students who miss three days or more of school may be required to have a note from the physician stating the reason for absence and approval to return to school. ·
If you find it necessary to send medication to school with your child, please notify the school nurse. Students will not be permitted to take medication in school unless the proper authorization has been provided by the parent and medical provider. Forms are available from the school nurse for this purpose.
Should your child have a special medical condition, please indicate that by writing or phoning the school nurse. It is important that this information be made available so that proper assistance can be given in the event of emergency. This includes listing any medications that your child- takes at home on a regular basis. Information, which may affect the student in the classroom, is shared with appropriate faculty members; otherwise, it is kept strictly confidential.
Whenever there is any question regarding your child's health, your cooperation in communicating that to the school through the School Nurse is appreciated.
Sincerely,
Christina E. Nester, MSN, CRNP
Director of Medical and School Health Services
**'*SPECIFIC MEDICAL INFORMATION WILL BE SHARED WITH SCHOOL PERSONNEL WHO HAVE CONTACT WITH YOUR CHILD IF IT IS DEEMED NECESSARY FOR THE SAFETY OF YOUR CHILD OR IF A MEDICAL CONDITION IMPACTS YOUR CHILD'S EDUCATION.'***
RIDLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT MEDICATION POLICY
Dear Parents:
Each year we have had a number of requests from parents to give children medication during school hours. At this time, we would like to review the policies regarding medication. You are encouraged to review the health and medication policies as mentioned in the school handbook. Hopefully, this elaboration of the medication policy will answer any questions you might have.
- Only medications prescribed by a medical provider for a particular child will be given during school hours.
- Every effort should be made to give all doses of medication at home.
- Children should not carry medication to school. Parents should bring the medication to the Principal's Office or to the nurse. ·
- All medication must be clearly marked with a prescription label bearing the child's name, type of medication, dosage, and time to be given.
- Written instructions from the medical provider are required. If you did not obtain these at the time of your visit, a form will be provided to you. A note must accompany any change in dosage or medication from the medical provider.
- Over-the-counter medications will not be administered in school unless accompanied by a note from the medical provider. Children will not be permitted to take medication on their own during school hours.
- When the school nurse is in the building, she will administer the medication. The principal or his/ her designee will administer medication on the other days. Any parent who wishes to come to school and administer medication to their child may do so. Please check in at the Principal's Office first.
- Teachers are instructed not to permit children to take medication at school. Please do not place your child in an embarrassing situation by sending medication to school without the proper instruction.
Your attention to this policy will make our school a safer place.
Sincerely,
Christina E. Nester, CRNP