From the Nurse: Medication and Illness

Illness Guidelines: As we begin the new year, we would like to remind families of the school’s illness guidelines. There continues to be high levels of respiratory viruses and influenza-like illnesses circulating in our area. Additionally, Norovirus (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea) is at higher levels in the community than is typically seen. Please adhere to the following guidelines and note additional information about Norovirus:  

  • Stay Home When Sick: Please keep students home from school if they show signs of illness, including but not limited to fever, chills, fatigue, cough, runny nose, nausea, and/or headache.  
  • Return To School After Illness: Individuals can return to school when, for 24 hours, both are true:  
    • Fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medications AND  
    • Symptoms are improving overall  
  • Fever: A temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 C) or higher is considered a fever. Individuals should stay home from school if they have a fever. Individuals should be fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medications before returning to school.  
  • Vomiting: Individuals should stay home for 24 hours after the last time they vomited.  
  • Practice Good Hygiene: Encourage regular handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow. 
  • Norovirus 
    • Mostly spreads through direct contact (shaking hands, touching contaminated surfaces), and it is very infectious. 
    • The virus is NOT killed with a quick dose of hand sanitizer – thorough handwashing is required. 
    • Bleach-based products to wipe surfaces are best. 
    • The school is implementing increased disinfecting of frequently touched surfaces in classrooms and around campus (tables, doorknobs, railings, etc.) and encouraging frequent handwashing.

Medications at School: The school would like to remind families that students cannot keep any medications of any kind in their possession/backpack at school. This includes Tylenol, Advil, Benadryl, Zyrtec, cough drops, topical ointments, supplements, etc.    

  • The only exceptions are students who need to carry an inhaler and/or Epi-Pen; this requires special signed authorization on the medication authorization form. 

The school must have a medication authorization form signed by a licensed health professional in order to administer medication (prescription or non-prescription) at school or for students to keep an inhaler and/or EpiPen in their possession. Medication(s) are provided by the parent/guardian and kept in the school office. They are administered by the school nurse and/or a designated staff member.    

Please make sure to let the School Office and our school nurse, Dora Hall, know of medications your student may need at school.