Welcome to Health Services
By Tammy Dean, RN, BSN
October 20, 2010
From the Desk of Nurse Dean..
Dear Parents/Guardians:
As your child is enrolled in Bridgeport Public Schools, I would like to take this opportunity to WELCOME him/her and you! My name is Tammy Dean and I am a Registered Nurse serving the school district as School Nurse. I received my bachelor of science degree from Midland Lutheran College and have been working at Bridgeport Public Schools for seventeen years. Prior to my time here, I enjoyed a rotation at Morrill County Community Hospital and Dodge County Hospital in Fremont, Nebraska.
Since we all know that “Healthy Children Learn Better,” I would like to introduce you to some of the things we offer at our school through the Health Services Department. Most of these are required by Nebraska state statutes.
SCHOOL HEALTH SCREENINGS:
Since all students entering Kindergarten are required to have a physical and visual examination upon entry, health screenings for students at school begin in the first grade and continue throughout their education on an annual basis. Vision, hearing, and dental screenings along with height/weight measurements are required for each student every year (NE Statute 79-248/249). After all screenings are completed, a report of the results is mailed home to parents, along with any recommendations for further evaluation. The school nurse will attempt to follow-up with any child referred for additional evaluation by a physician, dentist, audiologist, or optometrist to make sure that we can accommodate recommendations from the medical practitioner. Parents who do not wish for their child to participate in the health screenings provided at school may object in writing prior to the screening day; however, all students will still need to submit proof of vision, hearing, and dental examination to the school nurse within the school year. For elementary students, health screenings begin in the fall and are completed by the end of the first semester. Older students in grades 6th - 11th are screened the last week of school in May.
PHYSICAL and VISUAL EXAMINATION FORMS (see "Immunizations/Physical/Vision Exam" and "School Forms" section)
A physical examination is required for school entry and at seventh-grade. Qualified providers are physicians, physician assistants, and advance practice registered nurses (NE Statute 79-214). Please remember to take your child’s immunization record with you for the physical examination. For Kindergarten and 7th grade students, these examinations must be completed within six months of the first day of admission.
Also required for the beginning grade level and for all out-of-state transfer students is a visual evaluation, consisting of testing for amblyopia, strabismus, internal and external eye health, and testing sufficient to determine visual acuity.
The parent/guardian may object in writing to a visual exam or physical (NE 79-2200) by signing the appropriate waiver available from the school nurse. The cost of the exam is borne by parent/guardian.
IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS (see "Immunization/Physical/Visual Exam" and "School Forms" section)
According to Nebraska state law, “Any student who does not comply with these requirements must not be permitted to enroll in school, except as provided in 173 NAC 3-009.01 through 3-009.03” (Medical and Religious Exemption). Children not meeting the minimum requirement will not be allowed to attend school until provisions are made to meet these requirements (NE Statute 79-217).
MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION (see "Medication Guidelines"and "School Forms" section)
We recognize that there are times when a student's medication needs to be given during school hours. The school nurse is available to administer all medications; however, in the absence of the school nurse, staff members trained by a medical professional as "medication aides" are able to administer these medications.
Acetaminophen (Tylenol - Children's, Junior, and Adult Strength) is supplied by the Bridgeport school district, but parents must sign a medication authorization form in order for it to be given to their child. A list of other over-the-counter medications used in the health office is available in the "Medication Guidelines" section. This list includes such things as hydrogen peroxide, triple antibiotic first aid ointment, and other commonly used health products.
Please see the guidelines for medication administration for specific directions, but most importantly - REMEMBER: ALL MEDICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED FROM THE PARENT DIRECTLY TO THE SCHOOL NURSE, IN THEIR ORIGINAL CONTAINER WITH APPROPRIATE AUTHORIZATION FORMS SIGNED!
MEDICAL HISTORY FORM (see "School Forms" section)
The “Medical History” form is a valuable tool for me as your child’s school health coordinator. Please complete and return to my school health office as soon as possible. I am able to alert teachers and staff members to possible life threatening health conditions such as allergies, asthma, or bee sting reactions when you provide this information!
SCHOOL EXCLUSION DUE TO ILLNESS (please see "News and Articles" section)
Children should remain at home if they have a temperature of greater than 100 degrees Fahrenheit (without Tylenol or anti-inflammatory medication). We also ask parents/guardians to provide us with an English-speaking emergency phone number in the event your child becomes ill during school hours and you cannot be reached. Communicable or infectious illnesses make their way through every school at one time or another. If this should occur, you will be contacted and advised what to do.
LIFE THREATENING ASTHMA AND/OR ANAPYLACTIC EMERGENCIES AT SCHOOL
All schools in Nebraska – public, parochial and private – are now prepared to respond to life-threatening asthma and anaphylaxis emergencies. The protocol "Emergency Response to Life-Threatening Asthma or Systemic Allergic Reactions (Anaphylaxis)" trains school staff members to identify signs and symptoms of a “breathing emergency” and respond by calling 911, and administering EpiPen® followed by nebulized albuterol. All emergency response team members must be trained in CPR.
In a partnership with the Nebraska Department of Education, Attack on Asthma Nebraska (AOAN) is the non-profit organization assisting schools with education, training and procurement of medications and supplies. The Nebraska Department of Education requires schools to follow the protocol through Rule 59, Regulations for School Health and Safety (Title 92, NAC, Chapter 59). The protocol addresses life-threatening emergencies and is meant to prevent asthma or anaphylaxis deaths at school. The school’s EpiPen® and Albuterol do not replace a child’s own prescribed medications for asthma/allergy control and management. Parents are expected to ensure their children continue to have school-day access to MDI’s, EpiPen®, etc. and to have an Asthma/Allergy Action Plan or emergency medical plan on file with the school. Education and training provided by Attack on Asthma Nebraska includes general information on asthma and anaphylaxis to increase awareness among all school staff, so a child’s breathing problems are taken seriously and referred to a healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and treatment.
SCHOOL NURSE OFFICE VISITS
The school nurse is available Monday through Friday during school hours at the school nurse office if your child has any health needs, or if you have any questions regarding health issues. Students seen by the school nurse during the school day will be given a “Nurse Referral” form that is sent home with the student regarding office visits. When a more serious health need is observed in the nurse’s office, such as a head injury, a questionable injury caused by a fall or collision, or another health need that would suggest further assessment by the student’s family doctor, the school nurse will make every effort to contact a parent or guardian at the phone numbers submitted on the Medical History Form. The school nurse may be reached during the school day between the hours of 8:00 A.M. and 3:30 P.M. at 262-1574 or 262-0346. If you would like to visit with me in person, please call to make an appointment or check-in at the elementary office first. Thank you for the opportunity to help meet your child's health needs while he/she is attending school!
Tammy Dean A.K.A. "Nurse Dean"
