School Nursing

Pam Murphy, RN has been the school nurse at PES for 18 years. 

The goal of school nursing is to advance the well-being and academic success of our students’ and to help prepare them for a productive and healthy future. Students who are healthy, safe and ready to learn are more able to be successful in every aspect of their lives, both at home and at school. 

Parents are welcome to call or visit anytime with information or questions about their children’s health.

Keeping Sick Children Home

School attendance is important however, your child may need to stay home either because they are too sick to be comfortable and learn at school and/or they might spread a contagious illness to the other children. Children should come to school able to participate in all school activities, and should not be tired or listless. Below are some guidelines to help you to know when to keep your child home from school.       

  v  Colds

§      Children with a persistent cough or severe cold symptoms such as sneezing, congestion and/or thick or constant nasal drainage should stay home. Minor cold symptoms such as mild stuffiness and clear nasal discharge are OK to be in school as long as your child feels well enough to participate.

v  Eyes

§     Causes of “pink eye” or conjunctivitis are varied and eyes are sometimes swollen and irritated by allergens or virus. However, your child should stay home from school and your health care provider called if there is any mucus or pus drainage from eye/eyes with or without itching, if the eye is red, puffy and/or painful, and/or there is crustiness upon waking from sleep. If your child is diagnosed with bacterial conjunctivitis (pinkeye), your child may return to school 24 hours after treatment is started.

v  Fever

§       Fever (temperature of 100.0 or higher) is a normal response by the body to fight off an infection however; it is also an indication that your child could be contagious. Often, temperatures are lower in the morning and rise during the day. Giving a child acetaminophen or ibuprofen will bring the temperature down but will not prevent them from passing their illness on to classmates. Please keep them home. Temperature should be normal without the use of fever reducing medication for at least 24 hours before returning to school.

v  Nausea/vomiting/diarrhea

§            If this has occurred within the last 24 hours, please keep your child home.

v  Rash

§     Children with poison ivy may come to school as it is not contagious. Students with a widespread or oozing rash should stay home unless cleared by a health care provider.

v  Sore Throat

§             Sore throats can be caused by viruses (often at the start of a cold), bacteria, such as strep or may have other causes. Signs of strep can vary but can include sore throat, swollen tonsils, swollen lymph nodes in the neck, fever, headache, nausea. Strep is diagnosed by a laboratory test. If you suspect strep, or have any concerns, call your health care provider.

Calling the school when your child is home sick.

Please remember to call the PES Main Office at 924-3828 when your child is going to be absent. Messages may be left anytime during non-school hours. Please give the actual reason i.e. sore throat, vomiting, etc. so we can keep track of “what’s going around”. Sick children will be sent home from school. The School Nurse may require a doctor’s note prior to a student returning to school. A doctor’s note will be required after 5 consecutive absences.

Returning Children to School: “The 24 Hour Rule/ Guideline”

Children may return to school after 24 hours on antibiotics, when their temperature has been normal for 24 hours (fever free), and/or there has been no vomiting or diarrhea for 24 hours.