WMHS: Health Office Policies

INTRODUCTION

The Health Services / Nurse=s Office is located in Room 113 in the Business Wing of the High School, and is open from 7:25 a.m. until 2:25 p.m.. Students visiting the Nurse=s Office MUST obtain a pass from their classroom teacher, except in emergency situations. Upon arrival in the Nurse=s Office, the student=s name and his/her chief complaint are recorded in the Health Office Log. When leaving the student=s pass will be signed by the nurse.

GENERAL RULES OF THE NURSE=S OFFICE

1.) Every student MUST have an EMERGENCY CARD on file in the Nurse=s Office.

2.) Signing out to go home from the Nurse=s Office does NOT constitute an excused absence. Students excluded from school with a potentially contagious disease will be asked to seek medical advice before being allowed to return to school.

3.) In case of illness or injury, when calling to obtain transportation from school, Health Office personnel are only allowed to call numbers listed on the Emergency Card, unless a parent is reached to supply alternative emergency contacts.

EMERGENCY CARDS

Every student MUST have an Emergency Card filed in the Health Office. Information provided on this card is vital in an emergency situation; it is also used to secure transportation home in case of illness or injury. PLEASE FILL OUT THE EMERGENCY CARD COMPLETELY!!!!! It is imperative that the following information be provided:

1.) PHONE NUMBERS where parents / guardians can be reached, at home and at workBplease include cell phone and / or beeper numbers where available. Please update this information as necessary.

2.) EMERGENCY CONTACTS: Please provide names and phone numbers of persons who are WILLING and ABLE to transport and care for your child in case of illness or injury.

3.) MEDICAL CONDITION: Please provide information regarding: Medical conditions/chronic illnesses/diseases; ALL MEDICATIONS TAKEN, at home and at school; ALL ALLERGIES, including to: medications,insect stings, foods, and environment. IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION IT IS VITAL THAT THIS INFORMATION BE COMPLETE, DETAILED, AND ACCURATE.

4.) PARENT / GUARDIAN SIGNATURES: Signatures (IN INK) are requested in TWO places on the Emergency Card:

A.) TO AUTHORIZE EMERGENCY TREATMENT when a parent / guardian cannot be reached. THIS SIGNATURE IS CRUCIAL IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY.

B.) To give permission to share medical information on a need-to-know basis, and to indicate consent (Yes/No) for school physicals and / or scoliosis screening.

MEDICATION POLICIES

1.) In accordance with New Jersey State Laws, all medications, both PRESCRIPTION and OVER-THE-COUNTER, to be taken during school hours MUST be administered by the School Nurse, with the exception of Emergency Medications (Epi-Pens for allergic reactions, and Inhalers for asthmatic conditions). See ASelf-Administration of Emergency Medications@.

2.) Medications to be administered by the School Nurse MUST be transported to the Nurse by a Parent / Guardian, or other designated adult.

3.) Medications to be administered MUST BE:

A.) In their ORIGINAL container

B.) Accompanied by WRITTEN PERMISSION signed by a LICENSED PHYSICIAN, stating:

1.) The NAME of the Medication

2.) The REASON for the Medication

3.) The DOSE; and

4.) The TIME(S) of administration

C.) Accompanied by the WRITTEN PERMISSION signed by the

PARENT / GUARDIAN, permitting the Nurse to administer the medication.

NOTE: If you wish to have medication dispensed to your student during school hours, please use the form, APHYSICIAN REQUEST FOR DISPENSING MEDICATION DURING SCHOOL HOURS@, a copy of which is located in this Handbook. It may also be obtained from the Health Office. This form should be filed in the Health Office for ALL medications to be dispensed by the Nurse, and this form MUST BE RENEWED ANNUALLY.

4.) SELF-ADMINISTRATION OF EMERGENCY MEDICATIONS: By New Jersey State Law, students are allowed to self-administer emergency medications (Epi-Pens for allergic reactions, and Inhalers for asthmatic conditions) PROVIDED that they obtain WRITTEN PERMISSION from both a LICENSED PHYSICIAN and a PARENT / GUARDIAN. This may be obtained on the FORM, AREQUEST FOR SELF-ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATION@, a copy of which is located in this Handbook. It may also be obtained from the Health Office. This form should be filed in the HEALTH Office, and MUST BE RENEWED ANNUALLY. This Permission form provides the following details:

A.) Name of Medication

B.) Indications for Use

C.) When to administer

D.) Possible Side Effects

E.) Whether the student may administer the medication independently, or must be supervised; and

F.) Where the medication should be stored (i.e., carried by the student, or stored in the Nurse=s Office.

ALL SELF-ADMINISTERED MEDICATIONS MUST BE PROVIDED BY THE PARENT /GUARDIAN.

5.) STUDENT ASTHMA ACTION CARD: In order to provide continuity of care for students with Asthmatic Conditions, a STUDENT ASTHMA ACTION CARD should be filed in the Health Office. This must be completed and signed by both a LICENSED PHYSICIAN and a PARENT / GUARDIAN. This form MUST BE RENEWED ANNUALLY. It also allows Permission for students to self-medicate with asthma inhalers. A copy of this form is located in this Handbook; it may also be obtained from the Health Office.

SPECIAL MEDICAL NEEDS

Students with Special Medical NeedsCincluding, but not limited to: Asthma, Diabetes, Food and Insect Sting Allergies, Seizure Disorders, Cardiac Conditions, and conditions requiring medications or special medical proceduresBmay be asked to file individualized paperwork with the Health Office. The information generally requires the input of both a physician and a parent / guardian, and is utilized to plan and provide proper health care, including in an emergency situation. All information provided is treated with strict confidentiality.

GYM EXCUSES

There are four types of GYM EXCUSES issued by the Health Office:

1.) NURSE=S OFFICE EXCUSE: Students are allowed TWO (2) per year, to be used when a student feels ill during the school day, and does not have either a parent=s note or a doctor=s note. The student must obtain a pass to the Nurse from his/her gym teacher, and must stay in the Nurse=s Office for the duration of the class.

2.) PARENT=S EXCUSE: A parent=s WRITTEN excuse is honored for up to three (3) days. If the student=s illness or injury persists for more than three days, he/she will be encouraged to seek medical advice. The parent=s note must be signed by the student=s gym teacher, then presented to the Nurse, who will issue a pass to the study hall for the duration of the excuse. When the excuse is ended, the student is expected to return to physical education, or present a medical note to extend the excuse.

3.) MEDICAL EXCUSE: is a WRITTEN NOTICE, signed by a licensed physician, stating the reason for the excuse, and the date of return to physical education. If the excuse states AUntil Further Notice@, the School Nurse will request the date of the next doctor=s visit. Medical excuses are NOT accepted if written by a Physical Therapist or a Nurse. Excuses written by chiropractors MUST be for conditions relating to the NECK or the SPINE. Medical excuses must be signed by the student=s gym teacher, then presented to the Nurse, who will issue a pass to the study hall for the duration of the excuse. If the excuse has a finite ending date, the student will be expected to return to gym at that time. If the excuse is AUntil Further Notice@, a follow-up note will be expected after each subsequent doctor=s visit, and the student must present written clearance from their physician in order to return to physical education.

4.) LIMITED GYM EXCUSE: When a student has a physical education excuse for an extended period of time, or the excuse is AUntil Further Notice@, the student may be requested to obtain a LIMITED GYM EXCUSE from his/her physician. The physician will be requested to complete the appropriate forms, provided by the School Nurse, indicating in which activities the student may participate, depending on the student=s condition. The student my then be able to earn a grade for physical education during the current marking period(s).

RETURNING TO SCHOOL AFTER AN ILLNESS / INJURY

USE OF CRUTCHES IN SCHOOL

1.) Obtain a note from a physician for any medically advised absence. This must be presented to the Attendance Office.

2.) A student returning to school with crutches MUST obtain WRITTEN PERMISSION from a PHYSICIAN, stating that the student is allowed to use crutches in school; the note should also contain the duration of the use of crutches. The student must present this note to the Nurse UPON ARRIVAL AT SCHOOL. The student will NOT be allowed to attend classes until permission to use crutches in school is received. The Nurse will issue a pass to LEAVE CLASSES EARLY, including permission to use the elevator; this pass will remain in effect for the duration of the use of crutches and/or medical treatment.

3.) For information regarding illness/injury and physical education, see GYM EXCUSES.

HEALTH SCREENINGS AND REFERRALS

During the school year students may be screened for vision, hearing, and/or scoliosis. If deviations from normal are detected during screening, your student will be referred to your private physician for further evaluation and possible treatment. Referral forms for the appropriate screening will be mailed to you. Please have your physician complete the form, then return it to the Nurse=s Office at your earliest convenience.

STUDENT PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS

The primary responsibility for the health of each child rests with the parent/guardian and a primary health care provider. Physical examinations are the responsibility of the parent/guardian if the student has a Amedical home@ ; i.e., a family physician. A physical examination is only required for students entering Kindergarten in the district. In addition, physical examinations are recommended at least one time during each of the child=s developmental stages: early childhood (preschool through grade 3); preadolescence (grades 4-6); and adolescence (Grades 7-12). You should submit these physicals to your school nurse, recorded and signed by your physician, on a West Milford Township Public Schools STUDENT Physical Examination form.

If your student is participating in sports, a preparticipation physical must be completed annually, and must be recorded and submitted on the West Milford High School SPORTS form (See AParticipation in Sports/Sports Physical Examinations@).

PARTICIPATION IN SPORTS / SPORTS PHYSICAL EXAMS

Students wishing to participate in sports at WMHS must:

1.) Return a completed, signed PERMISSION SLIP, AHEALTH HISTORY QUESTIONNAIRE AND PERMISSION FORM@ to the Athletic Director or to the School Nurse. A SEPARATE PERMISSION SLIP IS REQUIRED FOR EACH SPORT AND EACH SEASON.

2.) Pass a SPORTS PHYSICAL EXAMINATION, which:

A.) Must be recorded, SIGNED, and STAMPED on the WMHS SPORTS PHYSICAL EXAMINATION FORM, APREPARTICIPATION PHYSICAL EXAMINATION@ (see copy in this Handbook).

B.) Shall be conducted within 365 days prior to the first practice session for the intended sport.

C.) Will be made available by the school Sports Physicians to those students who do not have a Amedical home@, i.e., a family physician BORB

D.) Will be conducted by the student=s family physician, if the student DOES have a Amedical home@ BORB

E.) The student may choose the school SPORTS physicians as his/her Amedical home.

3.) If the examination is conducted by a physician other than the WMHS SPORTS Physicians (or if conducted more than 60 days prior to the first practice session of the intended sport), the PHYSICAL EXAMINATION MUST BE REVIEWED AND SIGNED BY THE WMHS SPORTS PHYSICIANS.

Sports Physical Examinations are offered by the WMHS Sports Physicians three times each year: in June, before the Fall sports season; in November, before the Winter season; and in February, before the Spring season. If you wish to use your private physician, (or if your student has already had a private physical this year), the physical exam MUST BE RECORDED on the WMHS SPORTS PHYSICAL FORM (APREPARTICIPATION PHYSICAL EXAMINATION@). Physicals conducted by private physicians will be at your expense. If your student is given CONDITIONAL APPROVAL requiring a medical note of clearance to participate, the condition must be satisfied prior to participation in sports. For further information regarding participation in sports at WMHS, including sample forms, please see the Appendix of this Handbook.

SUMMARY

I hope the information provided in this Handbook will be useful, and will assist your student in pursuing a happy, healthy career at West Milford High School. If you should have any questions regarding this material, please feel free to contact the Health Office at: (973) 697-1701, ext. 237.

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