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Teresa Kominkiewicz RN, Certified School Nurse |
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FAQFrequently Asked Questions
When should I keep my child home from school? Keep your child home from school if they have a fever of 100.0F or 37.8C or higher. They should remain home from school until they are fever free for 24 hours without taking any fever reducing medication. Contact your pediatrician if the fever lasts for more than 24 hours. Keep them home if they have vomitted the night before and are still nauseous the morning of school. Keep them home for any stomach cramping accompanied by diarrhea. These symptoms can indicate a contagious stomach ailment. Keep them home if their nose is dripping excessively or if they are coughing persistently. Students trying to cope with these symptoms during school have a very difficult time trying to pay attention and would really benefit from rest at home with lots of liquids and chicken soup. If your child had a positive strep test from your pediatrician, keep them home until they have taken the antibiotic for at least 24 hours. This ensures that they will not be contagious when they return to school. My child has a cough. Can you give him 2 teaspoons of Robittussin? According to NJ state law, I cannot give any medications to any student without written directions from your pediatrician or doctor, and written permission from you. This includes over the counter medications such as Tylenol, Tums, Visine, Robittussin, Sudofed, and Motrin. I would love to give your child medication to help them feel better during school, but I need proper documentation. District forms are available in the Health Office. Basically, I need written directions from your pediatrician with the name of the medication, the exact dose and the frequency. I also need a note from you stating that you are granting me permission to medicate your child while at school. I also need the medication from you in its original container and with a valid expiration date. Can you give my child the medication she needs every day at school? Absolutely! I'll make sure your child gets the medication they need every day. I just need for you and the requesting doctor to complete both sides of the school district's medication administration form HD21. This form can be picked up in my office, or sent home with your son or daughter. Then I need for you to bring in the medication in its original container or in the bottle from the pharmacy. A valid expiration date is required. How can I help you take care of my child who has asthma? Make sure that the doctor who is managing your child's asthma correctly fills out an Asthma Action Plan* and fills out the district's medication administration form HD21*. Make sure you fill out your portion of form HD21*. Please make sure the school has every medication necessary in its original packaging and all nebulizer tubing and equipment necessary. I have a nebulizer in the office, so your child need not bring their own. *Forms available in the health office. What if my child is sick and cannot come to school? If your child is too sick to be in school, please call the main office at (732)613-6820 and report the absence. Please let us know what is wrong so that we can track what kinds of communicable illnesses are in school. If you suspect that your child will be absent for more than 3 days, please get a note from the doctor stating that your child was ill and that she/he may return to school. What kinds of snacks should I send in for my child? If your child's teacher allows students to have a snack during the school day, consider sending apple slices, pretzels, grapes, raisins, graham crackers, crackers, or baby carrots. Try to avoid sending candy, sugary snacks, snacks that contain nuts or peanut products, or commercial dehydrated fruit peels. Edible treats for my child's birthday? Is there anything special I need to do? If you plan on celebrating your child's birthday with an edible treat, please have it approved by your child's teacher first. This way their teacher can plan time during the day for their celebration and also let you know of any dietary restrictions in the class. When your treat in approved, please send in a list of ingredients so that I can make sure it is safe for everyone in the class to enjoy and make plans for an alternative treat if needed. This all can be avoided if you choose to send a non edible treat. Goodie bags packed with pencils, erasers, pencil grips, stickers, crayons, and markers can be just as festive as a Dunkin' Donut. You might also want to consider making a donation of a book in your child's honor to celebrate. What can I do at home to help my child succeed in school? The most important things to help your child succeed in school is to make sure they get plenty of rest, eat a well balanced diet that includes breakfast and have an orangized study area. What can I do at home to strengthen my child's immune system? Make sure your child washes their hands frequently and correctly, dresses appropriately for the weather, gets adequate rest and eats a well balanced diet that includes breakfast. What should I do if I am concerned about the content in Family Life? If you have any questions or concerns about anything, please never hesistate to contact me. We can set up an appointment in person or by phone to discuss what is on your mind. Why do you like Raggedy Ann so much? I grew up in the 70s with 5 brothers and no sisters. While I love my brothers very much, they were never very willing to attend any backyard tea parties or watch any of Barbie's fashion shows. Raggedy Ann always seemed happy to be there -- kind of like the sister I never had. She was always happy. She smiled when she lost an eye, she smiled when her arm fell off. She smiled as I stitched up the hole in her foot. She even smiled when my brothers snatched her away and tossed her like a football in the backyard. As time went on, I came to see Raggedy Ann not so much as the beloved toy that she was to me, but more as a symbol of optimism and hope. No matter how awful things seem, no matter how desperate the situation, there is always a bright side -- something to smile about. And, if there is something to smile about, then there is always hope for better. Why do you like the Mets more than the Yankees? Unlike the Yankees, the Mets don't have a constant pressure to win every game. The best part about watching the Mets play is that most times, you don't know who is going to win the game until the very last pitch is thrown. Sometimes they break your heart, but most times it ends well. |
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