Message From The School Nurse
Jacelyn Otte, BSN, RN
A Little About Me
I am Jacelyn Otte. I have been a registered nurse with BSN since 2016. My background is ICU nursing, so being a school nurse was a big change. This is my second full year at Redding Elementary, but I have been with the Seymour Schools for 3 years. I absolutely love this school, the people that work here, and the students that attend! I am also the Assistant Director of Nursing for Seymour Schools. Not only do I manage Redding Elementary, but I oversee the other elementary schools health needs.
I am married to Dr. Nathan Otte and we have 2 kids, and boy and a girl. In my spare time (when I have it), I love to run and be active, so you might see me running around town. I coached Reddings' running club and had so much fun! I also enjoy listening to audiobooks. We stay pretty busy.
If you ever need to reach me, my contact information is at the bottom of this page. Please don't hesitate!
Redding Nurse Announcements and News
Dental Day!
🦷School Smiles was here on December 1. If you missed this time, don't worry they will be back on Feb. 1, 2024. There is a link below that you can register through, or you may contact me for a paper copy. Turn in your registration if you would like your student to participate! Last day for registrations is January 16th.🦷
Vision Screenings
👓Screening have been completed and referrals have been sent out. Please reach out to me with questions or appointments!👓
The School Nurse
It's not just band-aids and ice packs! 🩹🤕
Health Care Plans🚑
Before school starts, I look into the entire school and see if I notice any new health issues. If there is something that I feel needs to be addressed, I will reach out to the parent/guardian to talk about a care plan for the student. My goal for students with health concerns is to make sure that student stays safe and healthy and conditions are managed while at school. Again, it is so important that you continue to update health changes in harmony, or present documentation to the school about a new health issue. Any diagnosis must have supported documentation from a medical professional. Please talk to me. If I don't know about it, I can't help! Please don't assume that if the teacher knows, I know.
Incoming Kindergarteners🎓
Kindergarten students start off my work year. When starting school, kindergarteners are required to have seen a doctor for a physical, dental, and vision appointment. I keep a record of the documentation and will reach out to parents if I have not received anything. This is a good way for me to know about any concerning medical conditions. If you lose the physical form given to you, I have extras available. There is a mobile dentist company that comes to our school. Look for a flyer that will be sent home in your childs' folder. You can also request one from the school, or if you would like to register online, the link is below. This is free with insurance and there is a grant option if you do not have insurance.
Immunization Records💉
I keep records of all immunizations and make sure every student is up to date. If the student is missing vaccines, you will be contacted. This is a state law for students to be up to date on immunizations. There is an exclusion day for any any students who are behind. Please send in vaccination records and any vaccine updates. If you have an appointment date, please let me know. If you need assistant, I can help with that. If you have a religious or medical exemption, there must be a be form filed each year. You can get one from my office.
Hearing Screenings👂
I conduct hearing screenings usually in the first couple months of school. Hearing screenings are required for all accredited public and accredited non-public schools for grades K or 1, 4, 7, and 10, as well as any new students or student with suspected hearing defects. Any student who does not pass the first time will be rescreened within 2 weeks after. If they do not pass again, a referral will be sent home. I will follow up with any referrals if I do not get a response from parents/guardians.
Vision Screenings👀
The next big focus is vision screenings. The Lions Club usually helps to take care of this at the beginning of the year. Notices will be sent out letting you know the date of the exams. Vision screenings are required for grades 1, 3, 5, and 8, as well as new students and anyone suspected of having visual difficulties. If there is an issue found in vision or hearing, a referral will be sent home. If you receive a referral please respond about actions taken. Again, I keep a record of referrals and will reach out if I have not had a follow-up. If finances are an issue, please reach out to me. There are many resources I can offer.
If no follow-ups have been turned in, those students will continue to be screened the following years.
If I have not received any information regarding kindergarten vision screenings, an optometrist will come to the school to conduct MCT screens on those students. If they do not pass, a referral will be sent home.
State Reports📝
These screenings are state requirements for my job. These are important, because at the end of the year, I send a report about our schools health information and any screenings conducted.
The Health Clinic🩺
Otherwise known as the nurses' office. I administer daily medications here and provided first aid and assessments on students. Please talk to your children about when to see the nurse. This office is full of germs and should not be a place a student wants to go to. Students should only come in if necessary. As you have read, I stay very busy all year long!
Medications💊
MEDICATION POLICY
1. Transportation and Storage of Medication: ALL medication, both prescription and nonprescription, must be transported to and from the school nurse’s office by a parent or guardian. Students are not permitted to have any medication or drug in their possession.
2. Original Container: ALL medication, prescription or non-prescription, must be in its original container. A prescription medication will already have the pharmacy label with the name of the student, name of medication, and the time when medication is to be administered. Please write your child’s name on a non-prescription container.
3. School Permission to give Medication: Medication must have a written doctor’s statement or current prescription (label on container) indicating that the medication is to be taken during school hours. Physician orders may be faxed to the school. The school will also need a signature from parents or guardians giving their permission for the school to give the medication. It shall be the student’s responsibility to come to the nurse’s office to receive the medication at the designated time. If it becomes necessary to give a student medication that is not kept at school, a parent or legal guardian may come to the school and administer the medication.
4. Benadryl and Analgesics: In case of a bee or wasp sting or allergic reaction, Benadryl can be given according to weight guidelines if a parent consent is on file. Also, the school nurse can administer analgesics (generic Tylenol or ibuprofen-ages 12+)) if a parent consent is on file. At the elementary level (K thru 5), parents will be notified when analgesics are given. You may bring personal medications to school to ensure that the student is able to have them as needed. I don't always have extra supply in my office. Again, just make sure the students' name is written on it and a parent permission form is filled out.
5. If the medication is to be stopped, the parent should notify the school nurse by phone or provide a written and dated withdrawal of consent.
6. Student possession and self-administration of emergency medication is permitted for students with acute or chronic medical conditions (asthma, allergies, etc.). An annual written authorization must be received from both the parent and physician stating the nature of the disease and that the student has been instructed in how to self-administer the medication.
Asthma??
I need to know. I need a plan for this student.
Chronic Disease or concern?
I need to know. I need a plan for this student.
Upcoming surgeries or New injuries outside of school?
I need to know. I need a plan for this student.
End of the Year!🥳🎉
7. Medication Disposal: At the close of the school year, ALL medication should be taken by the student’s parent or designated adult (not the student). Medications left in the nurses’ office will be destroyed.
Reaching Out To You☎️
I will send out letters if I need information from you. Please check your childs' folder! :)
Clothes and Shoes🧦
Jacelyn Otte, RN, BSN
Email: jacelynotte@scsc.k12.in.us
Location: Redding Elementary School, 1700 N Ewing St., Seymour, IN, 47274 USA
Phone: 812-522-5621 # 2105