Recent ActivityDepartment Announcements H1N1 Influenza Information December 2, 2009
Dear Parents/Guardians:
As you know, a new virus, called the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus, was first identified in the United States in late April 2009. The virus has caused illness ranging from mild to severe, including hospitalizations and deaths in adults and children. Many children have been ill from the 2009 H1N1 infection and there have been large outbreaks in some schools across the country. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has recommended that children and young adults aged 6 months through 24 years be vaccinated against 2009 H1N1 as soon as the vaccine is available.
Vaccination is the best way to protect your child from this potentially serious disease. The Swansea Board of Health and Swansea Town Nurse are working with your child’s school to give the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine to our students.
The High School and Junior High School children will be able to get the vaccine during the school day. We are also planning to hold out of school clinics for elementary-aged children as vaccine becomes available through the board of health (parents will need to bring their child to these clinics).
The Town Nurse will hold a vaccination clinic for students in the High School on Monday, December 14th and at the Junior High School on Monday December 21st, during school hours.
Clinics will be scheduled as vaccine becomes available. There will be no cost to you for this vaccine. We currently have limited numbers of vaccine doses. The vaccine will be allocated to your child on a first come first serve basis as consent forms are returned.
The vaccine consent form includes options allowing you to either accept or refuse the vaccination for your child. If you refuse, the vaccination will not be given to your child. When your child receives the vaccine, a form indicating the vaccine was given will be handed to your child. Keep this form for your records.
· Please be aware, we have a limited amount of supply and may not be able to give everyone that returns a form a shot during the first clinic.
You must return a consent form in order for your child to be vaccinated in school.
Please realize this is a one time event due to severity of the H1N1 illness and in the future immunizations will not be available in school.
If you have any questions about the vaccine or the vaccination clinics, please call: Leslie Stolts RN,C at 508-679-4049 from 8:45 AM to 3:00 PM.
Sincerely,
Leslie Stolts RN,C Director of Health Services
Confirmed Influenza CasesNovember 4, 2009
As of 11/4/09 we have 3-5 confirmed cases of "influenza" or "flu-like illnesses" that have been documented by physicians and received by the nurses. We have nothing confirming any actual H1N1 diagnosis. Leslie Stolts MSN RN,C Director of Health Services Hoyle School Nurse 70 Community Lane Swansea, MA 02777 508-679-4049 lstolts@swanseaschools.org Health Information UPDATEDear Parents,
I would like to clarify some concerns:
Leslie Stolts MSN RN,C Director of Health Services Hoyle School Nurse 70 Community Lane Swansea, MA 02777 508-679-4049 lstolts@swanseaschools.org To Improve Parent and School Communication Regarding your Child's AbsenceFrom Mrs. Leslie Stolts
Director of Health Services Hello, this is a message from your child's school nurse. In an effort to improve parent and school communication, please follow these guidelines when calling the school regarding your child's absence. Leslie Stolts MSN RN,C Director of Health Services Hoyle School Nurse 70 Community Lane Swansea, MA 02777 508-679-4049 lstolts@swanseaschools.org  Vaccine Information sheetsPlease refer to the departmental files section below for new information regarding Vaccinations
Health ServicesSWANSEA SCHOOL HEALTH SERVICES
Dear Parents,
Please read this communication and keep it handy so you can refer to it should the need arise.
MEDICATION:
1. No “over the counter” medications will be given at school.
2. All medication must be kept in the Nurse’s Office.
3. Only medication ordered by your doctor will be given.
4. Long Term Prescription Drugs will be dispensed only by a school nurse.
Return the parent’s consent form and the doctor’s written order form in order for the medication to be given.
5. Short Term Prescription Drugs (for example antibiotics) need only parent’s written permission and medication in the Original Prescription container.
6. All Medication must be in the original prescription container or it will not be given.
7. Some pharmacies will provide an extra container for school use upon request.
8. Parents must bring the medication to the nurse – medication is not to be brought in by the students.
REPORTING ILLNESS:
If your child is ill with a contagious disease, notify your nurse.
Strep Infections, Conjunctivitis and a Diagnosis of Chickenpox: require a doctor’s note to return to school. The diagnosis must be written on the note.
FEVER:
If your child has a fever of 100 degrees or higher, he/she MUST remain at home until the child is fever-free for a period of 24 hours.
IMMUNIZATIONS:
If your child receives any type of immunization booster, make certain the nurse is notified in writing with a note specifying date and type of immunization signed by the doctor.
HEALTH PROGRAMS:
IF A CHILD HAS A PROBLEM AT HOME PLEASE BE SURE TO NOTIFY THE SCHOOL NURSE. This information is confidential and is helpful to try to stop the spread.
Transfer students must have had a physical within the year of transfer.
School physicals will be scheduled two times a year, fall and spring.
5. Immunization Clinics will be scheduled as needed during the school year.
6. During the month of February, Dental Exams are performed in the elementary schools. If your child has not returned the dental exam form stating that they have been seen by their dentist they will be seen by the school dentist in February. This is a non-invasive brief screening done by a dentist. This does not replace routine cleaning or screenings by your own dentist. If your child receives a note from the nurse after the screening– please see your own dentist for a follow up and return the form to the school nurse.
7. March: Scoliosis Screening – Grades 5 –9. The nurse and/or physical education teacher will view your child’s back for any curvature of the spine. Parents will be notified if their child should see a physician. Parents can choose to have the school doctor see the child or their own doctor. If you choose to have your own physician see the child, please return the completed doctor’s form to the nurse.
*** School Health Policy for Exclusion from School due to incomplete immunization for Medical and Religious Reasons:
If a student who is not fully immunized is exposed to a diagnosed case of a Vaccine Preventable Disease, he/she will be excluded from school according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health Regulations. The most common diseases include, but are not limited to the following: Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Chickenpox and Pertussis. As soon as a physician confirms the diagnosis, the parent will be notified. Specifics regarding the time of exclusion vary with each illness and will be explained when pertinent.
Revised: November 2003, January 2008, February 2009
Evaluated: January 2004, May 2004, January 2008, February 2009
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