Nurse Notes
September 2020
A Start To School Unlike Any Other
I hope that you were able to enjoy the beautiful summer spending time with family and friends. Now it's time to journey in to the sometimes crazy, overwhelming, but always exciting, routine of school days, and now we have a little twist added. It's time to get ready for the inevitable colds, sore throats, fevers, and flu but also Covid-19.
What Do I Look For-Preparing To Return
If you were around someone who has been diagnosed with Covid-19, someone from the health department may call you. If you think you've been exposed to anyone with Covid-19, here is a brief summary of what you need to do.
Stay home away from others:
For Covid-19, a close contact is anyone who was within 6 feet of an infected person for at least 15 minutes. An infected person can spread Covid-19 starting from 48 hours (or 2 days) before the person had any symptoms or tested positive for Covid-19.
Stay away from others, especially people who are at higher risk for getting very sick from Covid-19, such as older adults and people with other medical conditions, if possible.
If you have been around someone with Covid-19, stay home away from others for 14 days (self-quarantine) after your last contact with that person and monitor your health.
If you have a fever, cough or other symptoms of Covid-19, stay home and away from others (except to get medical care or testing, if recommended).
If you need support or assistance while in self-quarantine, your health department or community organizations may be able to provide assistance.
LISD Health Services-Updates To School Health Procedures School Year 2020-2021
To protect our students and staff members, our school health clinic procedures are changing to meet the infection control measures required due to Covid-19.
• Student visits to the clinic will be made by appointment, except those that are an emergency.
• Minor injuries and complaints will be handled in the classroom or playground, i.e., hunger, lost tooth, minor scrape.
• If you are contacted to pick up your child due to illness, we ask that you do so as soon as possible or within 30 minutes.
• Have a back up plan in case you are unable to quickly get to the school; other family members or close friends.
• Add my nurse’s office number to your cell phone so you know it is me! My direct office number is 972-350-5915.
• Continuously make sure all contact and emergency contact phone numbers are updated in Skyward.
• Students grades 6 and higher can self-carry over the counter and prescription medications (NO CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES) with the proper documentation.
Please keep your child home if they have a temperature of 100 degrees or higher and until fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medications, cough, vomiting, diarrhea, body aches, shaking chills, headache, sore throat, difficulty breathing, loss of taste or smell, undiagnosed rashes, or eyes that are reddened with drainage. Students with signs and symptoms of Covid-19 will be required to follow public health officials’ guidelines for isolation and quarantine.
Please contact me if anyone in your household tests positive for Covid-19 or has symptoms consistent with Covid-19., prior to sending your child to school!
If your child requires medication or a special procedure at school, please contact me for updated forms and guidelines.
I appreciate your cooperation in helping us keep our students and staff safe during this challenging time
The Nurse Called. Now What?
It's never fun when a student goes home sick. Unfortunately, this year some precautions are necessary and I am required to take certain steps and send children home for anyone who is sick with a COVID-19 symptom.
In order for your child to return to the school in person, one of the following is required:
A negative Molecular COVID-19 test (PCR or RT-PCR, Molecular, NAAT or nucleic acid amplification test, Nucleic acid test, RNA test, LAMP or RT-LAMP, Genetic test).
Other tests such as the rapid antigen or antibody test are NOT accepted.
A differential diagnosis from your medical provider. The note must say what was wrong with them, i.e., strep throat, ear infection, etc.
Stay home ten days, with decreasing symptoms and fever free for 24 hours
The ten-day count starts the day after they were sent home not feeling well.
The signs and symptoms of COVID-19 include new or worsening:
• Nausea/Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Sore throat
• Headache
• Fever or chills
• Body aches
• Congestion, runny nose
• Cough
• Shortness of breath/difficulty breathing
• New loss of taste or smell
• Fatigue
Look for emergency warning signs* for COVID-19. If your child shows any of these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately:
• Trouble breathing
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
• New confusion
• Inability to wake or stay awake
• Bluish lips or face
*This list is not all possible symptoms. Please call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you.
Call 911 or call ahead to your local emergency facility: Notify the operator that you are seeking care for someone who has or may have COVID-19.
We are so glad to be back at school, and in order to stay back, we are required to take these steps for anyone who is sick with a COVID-19 symptom.
Does Your Child Need Daily Medicine At School?-Make An Appointment!
A lot of kids need medicine while they're at school, and this year you will need to call me and make an appointment to drop off medication.
I will not be able to accept med drop offs during the school day due to new procedures, so please call me this week to schedule an appointment between 7:30 am, and 3:30 pm.
Medications are kept in the clinic and administered by me or a staff member designated by the Principal.
The child's condition must necessitate that the medication be given during school hours.
- Unless otherwise specified by the doctor, a medicine given twice a day should be given at home in the morning and at night.
- Unless otherwise specified by the doctor, a medicine prescribed three times a day should be given at home before school, after school and before bed.
We can not administer any herbal medication or oils. Also, for the safety of all students, elementary children may not transport medications to and from school or keep medicine in their backpacks.
All medications must be in the original, current, properly labeled container with clear and legible instructions.
The following Parent Request for Administration of Medication by School Personnel is needed for all medications and a parent signature is required.
A physician's signature is required on the Parent Request for Administration of Medication by School Personnel form if:
Over-the-counter medications given more than 5 school days.
- Prescription label does not match the parent request or is missing required information. If you want to change the amount of the medication or time etc, then a physician's signature will be required.
- Medication samples or off-label prescription requests.
Medication can bring lots of questions and I am always available to answer any questions you might have.
Vaccination Requirements
Even though things are a little different, some things haven't changed at all.
In Texas, students may not enroll or continue attendance at school unless the minimum state vaccine requirements have been met.
All students, whether learning virtually or face to face, are required to have up to date immunizations.
On time vaccinations are important because they provide protection from potentially life threatening illnesses before your child is exposed to them.
As your child receives their vaccinations, please remember to bring me an updated shot record so I can update their information.
If you choose to opt out of vaccinating your child, you can submit an "Affidavit Request for Exemption from Immunizations for Reasons of Conscience" and bring it to the school office.
Asthma And The September Asthma Peak
We aren't quite there yet, but the upcoming fall weather will bring about new allergens and other aggravators of asthma! Also, did you know that asthma flares peak around the third week in September?
Why does it happen? Well, it's the perfect storm of triggers:
- Return to school = exposure to multiple allergens (indoor mold, animal dander) and respiratory irritants (air pollutants from idling school buses)
- High levels of ragweed and mold allergens in outside air
- Easy to catch cold germs and viruses, including the flu
- Irregular medication use from summer months – when children don’t follow their asthma medication schedule in summer, they’re more at risk for asthma flares in September when they’re exposed to more allergens and triggers
- Anxiety and stress associated with the new school year
If your child has asthma, please bring their inhaler so that we have them readily available. Because of Covid precautions, we will not be able to administer nebulizer treatments in school.
September Is National Head Lice Prevention Month
As if Covid wasn't enough to worry about, some things never change. Just in case your children bring home unexpected guests, here's a little information to make it easier on them and you. Just click on the buttons below!
You Have The Power To Donate Life
The global pandemic has been especially hard on blood and organ donations.
By joining the Donate Life Texas Registry, you give hope to thousands of people awaiting the transplant they need to survive.
Registering to become an organ, eye and tissue donor records your decision to be a donor. Your generosity can save as many as eight lives through organ donation, bring sight to others with cornea donations and improve yet another 75 lives or more through tissue donation. It takes only moments, yet means a second chance of a lifetime. Sign up today!
How To Contact Me
As always, feel free to contact me any time you have questions or concerns about your child.
I am here to partner with you to make sure your child receives what they need to succeed in school.
Email: MillerRG@lisd.net
Website: https://www.lisd.net/domain/4380
Location: 4600 Quail Run Road, Flower Mound, TX, USA
Phone: 972 350 5915