The following information is provided to keep you informed of West Milford health office policy and procedures and to promote a healthy school environment:

*** Always remember to inform the school of any phone or address changes.  It is essential that a parent/guardian is reachable during the school day.

*** Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns.  My school hours are from 8:25 to 3:05.  The health office number is (973) 853-4488. 

Attendance: Please report your child’s absence to the health office by 9:00.  There is a 24 hour answering machine on the nurse’s line (973) 853-4488.   Please state the days your child will be out and the reason for the absence.

Notes can be sent to the nurse for planned absences.  Please be sure you address the note to the nurse as final attendance is kept there.  Notes sent only to the teacher do not always make it to the health office!!!

If we do not hear from you the school will attempt to reach you.  This measure is in place to be sure your child is safe.  Your call to the school is greatly appreciated!!  Working together helps to keep all our students safe.

Late Arrivals: Students arriving after 8:40 are considered late and must be escorted to the main office and signed in.  Please do not drop them off outside.  They must be signed in by a parent.  All late students must come to the nurse for a pass.  Students who do not do this may remain marked absent for the day as it is the nurse who records the final attendance.

Homework:  Homework requests can be made after the 2^nd day of absence to be sent home on the 3^rd day of absence.  It is best to call this request to the main office early in order to give the teacher a chance to put the work together.  Please indicate if you will be picking it up after 3pm or would like it sent home with another student - be sure to indicate the students name and teacher it is to be sent home with.

Medications:  ALL medications, including over the counter medicines, such as Tylenol and cough syrup, require a physician’s written order and parental permission.  All medications must be delivered to the school by the parent (or designated adult) in the original prescription bottle or the original manufacturer’s container.  Medication sent loose in a zip-lock bag can not be dispensed by the school nurse.

Cough drops may be dispensed to students with a written request from a parent. These may be brought in by the student.

Screenings:  During the school year annual screenings are done on height, weight and BMI (body mass index).  Kindergarten through third grade have their hearing screened and kindergarten (who have not been screened at the doctor), 2^nd, 4^th and 6^th grade have their vision screened.  Scoliosis screening is performed in the spring for 6^th grade students.  If you have any concerns about your child’s vision, hearing, height, weight etc.  Please call the school nurse as individual screenings are done as indicated.

Gym / Recess:  For your child’s safety sneakers (laces or Velcro) are required for participation in both gym and recess.

If your child has been injured and must be out of gym for more than 3days a physician’s note is required.  The excuse must state the nature of the injury, limitations/restrictions and the dates to be excused from gym.  Students who are unable to participate in gym can not run around in recess.  This measure is in place for both their safety and the safety of the other students.  The weight of casts often causes the student to become easily off balance resulting in either injury to them or someone else.  The physician is the only authority to release a student back to activity.  A parent note may not override this.  Required notes may be brought in by the student or faxed attention to the nurse at (973) 853-1233.

  Casts, Crutches:  A doctor's note is required for students to use crutches in school.Students with a cast or crutches being transported on the bus must have a physician note saying they are able to ascend and descend the bus steps.  Students returning after a serious injury, illness or operation must have a physicians note indicating they are able to return to school.

Communicable Disease Guidelines:   In effort to promote a health learning environment for all we ask you to consider the following when deciding whether to send your child to school or not.

• Fever: A student with temperature of 100.0 degrees or more must remain home until they are fever free (without the aid of Tylenol) for a full 24hours.  Please do not treat a fever with medication and send your child to school.
• Vomiting or Diarrhea: Students need to be able to return to a normal diet and be free from vomiting or diarrhea for a full 24 hours before returning to school.
• Sore Throat:  If your child is awaiting strep test results please do not send them to school until the results have been obtained.  Any student who is being treated for Strep must be on the prescribed antibiotic for a full 24hours before returning to school.
• Rashes: Require a note from your child’s doctor indicating it is not contagious.
• Pink eye: If your child awakes with red itchy and or crusty eyes, please keep them home.  To return to school their eyes must be clear or a doctor’s note must indicate they are not contagious. 
• Head Lice: Please check your child’s head on a regular basis.  Head lice can happen to anyone.  If you discover your child has lice please let the nurse know in order to minimize the spread at school.  Any student who has been diagnosed with lice must be checked by the nurse before they can return to class.  West Milford follows a no nit policy.

Please remember we all must work together to support a healthy learning environment. Elementary schools especially in the cold months can be germ factories.  Re-enforce healthy habits at home such as starting each day with a healthy breakfast, getting daily exercise, washing hands and staying home when your child is sick.  If we all follow these guidelines we can greatly cut down on the rate of absences.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION!

NEW IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS FOR INCOMING 6TH GRADERS SEPT 2009
All students born January 1, 1997 or later and entering grade 6 or a comparable special education grade level, will be required to show proof of a TDAP booster and proof of meningitis vaccine.  There will be no exceptions to this policy. Those students reporting to school on September 3, 2009 who have not provided proof of immunization as required by law, will be sent home until compliance is met.

BREAKFAST:  Encourage your child to get a good night's sleep and to eat breakfast at home each morning. It's the most important meal of the day.  Remember to "break" the fast, your body needs refueling in the morning.  If your child is not a "breakfast eater", or is running late, consider placing a granola bar, healthy snack, dry cereal or dried fruit in their bag. This will carry them over to lunch.  Have breakfast with your

***Please note the school is not responsible for treating or assessing injuries that occured at home or outside of school property.***