Nurse

Maria Folan, RN

Nurse

School: 860-929-5310

Heidi Hobert, RN

Nurse

School: 860-929-5309

Nurse's office Fax number: 860-929-5315

Sedgwick Nursing Notes

Some general information about the health room:

Please ensure that your emergency contact information is up to date and you have a plan for picking your child up from school if necessary. Ill students must be picked up from school and can not walk home or be sent home on the bus.
No student should leave school because of an illness/injury without being dismissed by the nurse. When a student is ill, he/she should report to the Nurse’s Office. We will always allow a student to call their parent if they want to.
We CAN NOT give your child any medication – prescribed or over the counter – without a doctor’s written order and parent permission. The only medications that students can self-carry in middle school are inhalers and Epipens. A Medication Authorization Form is required for all medications in school. The needed form can be found on this blog.
We CAN NOT excuse your child from PE class or give them an elevator pass by parent request only. Please have your child examined by a doctor and provide us with a medical note stating the nature of the injury and the physical accommodations your child will need while in school.
Crutches are a medically prescribed item and CAN NOT be used in school without a medical order by a physician. If your child requires crutches or a wheelchair for an injury or illness that has occurred, contact us to arrange for an elevator pass. If your child requires the use of the elevator without needing crutches, it is necessary to provide a note from your child’s physician stating the reason. Children on crutches are not allowed to use the stairs or take their regular school bus. Contact the school nurse to arrange for a van to bring your child to and from school. **Please be aware that special transportation can take up to a week to arrange.

Flu Season

The Flu Shot

With rare exceptions, it is recommended that everyone over the age of 6 months get the flu shot. Although some viruses may be different from what is in the vaccine, the CDC reports that the vaccine can still minimize flu symptoms. Remember – the best way to prevent the flu (and other viral illnesses) is to wash your hands frequently and to avoid touching your face. It is advised that you call your primary care provider when you first feel you might have the flu.

For information about the flu shot, please visit the CDC website or contact your medical provider.

Screenings

The State of Connecticut no longer requires vision or hearing screenings in Middle School. If you have concerns about your child’s vision or hearing, please let us know and we will be happy to screen them.

**If your child wears glasses, please ensure they have them at school each day! If you need assistance getting your child a vision exam/eye glasses, please contact the health room.

We will screen all 7th grade girls and 8th grade boys for scoliosis during one of the PE rotations this year. Any child with known scoliosis will be excluded from screening.If you do not wish your child to be screened for scoliosis for any reason, please let us know.

Ill Child Policy

Regular school attendance is necessary for optimal learning. However, a mere presence at school does not ensure effective learning. A child must be feeling well in order to maximize the learning experience. In addition, a child who is sick and comes to school may spread the illness to other students and staff. It is recommended that a child remain home if any of the following conditions are present:

Fever. The child should remain at home with a fever greater than 100 degrees. The child can return to school after he/she has been fever free for 24 hours (without fever-reducing medicine such as Tylenol or Motrin).
Diarrhea/Vomiting. A child with diarrhea and/or vomiting should stay at home and return to school only after being symptom-free for 24 hours.
Conjunctivitis. Following a diagnosis of conjunctivitis, the child may return to school 24 hours after the first dose of prescribed medication.
Rashes. Common infectious diseases with rashes are most contagious in the early stages. A child with a suspicious rash should return to school only after a health care provider has made a diagnosis and authorized the child’s return to school.
Colds. Consider keeping your child at home if he/she is experiences excessive nose blowing and coughing.

A child who has started antibiotics needs to be on the medication for 24 hours before considered non-contagious and able to return to school. When a child returns to school, he/she should be able to participate in all school activities including physical education. Remember, it is an extremely long day for a child who is sent to school ill. Not only is it difficult to concentrate and learn if repeatedly coughing or blowing your nose, but also it creates disruption in the classroom and affects the concentration and learning of your child’s classmates. Thank you for helping make Sedgwick a healthy place to learn.

Resources

School Enrollment

In accordance with Connecticut State Law and Town of West Hartford policy, a health assessment is required prior to public school enrollment and in grades PreKindergarten, Kindergarten, 3, 6, and 10. A physical examination includes height, weight and blood pressure; hematocrit/hemoglobin lab studies; vision, hearing, speech and gross dental screenings; updating of immunizations and chronic disease assessment. The health assessment information must be on the State of Connecticut Department of Health Assessment Record (form HAR-3).

Pre-School Health Assessment Record

Immunization Requirements for school attendance as per Connecticut state regulations for entry into PreKindergarten.

State of Connecticut Health Assessment Record Form

Immunization Requirements for school attendance as per Connecticut state regulations for entry into Kindergarten and grade 6.

School Policies

Medical Alert Notification

In order to best meet your child’s health and educational needs in school please inform the school nurse of any health related issues or any current medications. The school staff working with your child will be notified in a confidential manner and adequate allowances will be made.

It is very important that the school be notified of any change in emergency numbers.

Medication Administration in School

Every effort should be made to have any medications given at home. If this is not possible, remember that ALL medications, including non-prescription medications (Tylenol and Advil), require written authorization from a doctor and parent. State law and regulations pertaining to administration of medications in school requires an Authorization Of Medication By School Personnel form to be completed by a doctor, dentist, or an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse. The form must also be signed by a parent/guardian. Medication must be brought to the nurse in the original labeled container with no more than a 45 day supply. Students may carry some of their own medications per State of Connecticut guidelines with the completed Authorization for Self Administration portion of the form.

Covid Dashboard

Forms

Physical Exam Form

The physical exam form is the same as the health assessment record for K-12. Please be advised, your child will not be allowed to start grade 7 and grade 11 until a completed physical examination done and presented to the nurse’s office.

Immunization Requirements

Husky Insurance Information

Medication Authorization Form

Self-Medication Authorization Form

Food Allergy Management Plan

FAQs

Can I send my child to school with medicine for the nurse to give?

According to State of CT regulations, no medication may be administered at school without the written order of an authorized prescriber and the written authorization of the student’s parent or guardian. West Hartford requires that medication be in a properly labeled container. The medication must be delivered to the nurse or principal by a responsible adult. Children may not bring medication to school without a self-medication authorization form.

Medication Authorization Form

Self-Medication Authorization Form

What health information is needed for my child to enter school?

Children entering the West Hartford School system must have a State of CT Health Assessment Record (HAR) before the child can begin school. The parent must complete and sign the front of the form. The health care provider completes the back of the form. To be considered complete, the physical exam on record must be within 1 year of the start of the school year, include all starred (*) items and up-to-date immunizations.

Children in the pre-school program should provide the school nurse with a yearly update of the child’s well child visit on the form.

Children in Kindergarten, grades 3, 6, and 10 should have an updated CT Health Assessment Record on file with the school nurse.

My child is not feeling well. Should I keep him/her home?

Sick/Ill Child Policy

Fever. The child should remain at home with a fever greater than 100 degrees. The child can return to school after he/she has been fever free for 24 hours (without fever-reducing medicine such as Tylenol or Motrin).
Diarrhea/Vomiting. A child with diarrhea and/or vomiting should stay at home and return to school only after being symptom-free for 24 hours.
Conjunctivitis. Following a diagnosis of conjunctivitis, the child may return to school 24 hours after the first dose of prescribed medication.
Rashes. Common infectious diseases with rashes are most contagious in the early stages. A child with a suspicious rash should return to school only after a health care provider has made a diagnosis and authorized the child’s return to school.
Colds. Consider keeping your child at home if he/she is experiences excessive nose blowing and coughing.

What is the right way to wash your hands?

Wet your hands with clean running water (warm or cold) and apply soap.
Rub your hands together to make a lather and scrub them well; be sure to scrub the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
Continue rubbing your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
Rinse your hands well under running water.
Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry.

Washing hands with soap and water is the best way to reduce the number of germs on them. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers can quickly reduce the number of germs on hands in some situations, but sanitizers do not eliminate all types of germs.

I want to know more about Lice.

I would like to know more about Mandated Yearly Screening.

The purpose is to identify the possibility of a need and refer for further evaluation and possible treatment.

Vision screenings are mandated in kindergarten and grades 1, 3, 4, and 5
Hearing screenings are mandated in kindergarten and grades 1, 3, 4, and 5
Scoliosis screenings are mandated each female student in grade 5 and 7 and each male student in grade 8 or 9