Nurse Notes  Gwen Natyzak


Medication Administration Reminder

• If your child is on medication please request a separate bottle from the pharmacy for the school clinic. All medicine must be in the original container.

• Parent or guardian must administer the first time dose of any new prescription medication or any over the counter medicine. The parent should be in close supervision of the child for 12-24 hours to detect if any serious reactions occur.

• Please do not send medication to school by the child. A parent or guardian needs to bring all medicine to school.

• A physician’s authorization is required for all prescription medication, herbal medication, or doses higher than the bottle recommends.

• A parent or guardian signature is required before medication will be administered.

• Medicine must be picked up at the end of the school year; any medicine not picked up will be discarded.

• The Authorization to Administer Medication form is good for one school year.    Oral Antihistamines Parent Authorization Form.pdf 

                                      Physician and Parent Authorization to Administer Medications.pdf

• Any changes in medication dosage must have a physician’s order. Each medication requires its own medication form.

• Non-prescription medication will be administered as instructed on the box, unless accompanied by a physician’s order instructing to do differently.

 FAMIS is Virginia’s health insurance program for uninsured children. To be eligible children must:

• Live in Virginia 
• Be under age 19
• Be U.S. citizens or qualified legal immigrants
• Be uninsured now and for the last 4 months (some exceptions apply)
• Not be eligible for a state health insurance plan
• Fall within the FAMIS income guidelines

Go to www.famis.org for more information.

A healthy diet promotes improved attentiveness and classroom behavior.

Well-nourished children are more able to learn and less likely to miss school for health reasons.

 Choose MyPlate.gov

The Food Guide Pyramid has been replaced with a new symbolic guide on healthy eating:

• Make half your plate fruits and vegetables.
• Choose whole grains.
• Switch to fat-free or low-fat milk.
• Go lean with protein.
• Drink water instead of sugary drinks.
• Avoid oversized portions.
• Make physical activity part of your day.

For more information go to www.choosemyplate.gov.

Tdap BOOSTER IS REQUIRED FOR 6^TH GRADE STUDENTS

Dear Parents of Rising 6^th Grade Students:

The 2006 Virginia General Assembly enacted a law which requires all 6^th grade students to have tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (Tdap) booster immunization prior to school entry   if at least five years have passed since the last shot.  If your child is under the age of 11 at the time of entering sixth grade, your physician may opt to give you a temporary medical exemption until your child turns 11. Each parent must provide the proper documentation prior to the start of the 2012-2013 school year for this immunization.  Please meet this requirement by providing the school with one of the following by July 27, 2012:

1)      Proof of having the booster vaccine.

2)      A notarized religious exemption form with a raised seal or registration number.

3)      Medical exemption form signed by your physician indicating temporary or permanent exemption.

The school division has the right to exclude your child from school if this requirement is not met. Teacher assignment or class schedules will not be mailed until this health information is shared with the school. If you need a copy of your child’s current school immunization record, please request a copy from the nurse at your school.

Please review your child’s immunization record.  If their last Tdap was before August 2007, your child will need to meet this health requirement. This immunization may be listed as any of the following: T, Td, Dtap, or Tdap, Adacel or Boostrix. Please call your doctor or local health department if you have questions.

The Tdap immunization can be received at your doctor’s office, military clinic, or local health department. The local health department provides the immunization for free for sixth grade school enrollment. The health department requires that you bring your most updated immunization record.  The Health Department provides both the Boostrix which is given at age 10 or the Adacel at age 11.

Your prompt attention to this matter is greatly appreciated. Questions may be directed to the Bedford County Public Health Department 540-586-7952 or your child’s physician.

Sincerely,

_______________________________                      _____________________________ 

Dr. Douglas Schuch                                                       Patricia D. Knox RN, MN

BCPS Superintendent                                                    BCPS Nurse Coordinator