From the Sprague School Nurse, Sharon Kahn RN
Sometimes parents apologize to me
when I notify them that their child is ill and requires dismissal, I feel
there’s no need to apologize, since we aren’t able to predict that our children
may become sick. When your child has a
good night’s sleep, eats breakfast and tolerates it well, and doesn’t have a
fever or other objective signs of illness, then the child should attend school.
Some mornings he or she may complain of nonspecific discomfort, but we all know
these complaints usually resolve as the child participates in the daily
routine. On the other hand, if your child was clearly ill the previous day or
evening, required fever-reducing medicine in the preceding 24 hours, had
interrupted sleep, vomiting or diarrhea, or is unable to eat breakfast, it is
advisable to keep him/ her home from school.
At school when a child comes to the
nurse I make an assessment according to the specific complaint - for example,
if a student complains of a sore throat I visualize the throat using a
flashlight and palpate for enlarged tender neck glands. I listen to the quality
of the voice, ask if he or she ate breakfast (or snack), and check for a fever.
I provide a drink of water and watch for signs of pain with swallowing. Often I
am told if family members are home sick with a similar complaint.
If the child does not have a fever
or any objective signs of illness, I recommend a return to class. I suggest
comfort measures, such as increasing fluids, telling the student, “Keep your
throat wet today - be sure to drink lots of water.” I ask what his/her after
school plans are and if the child says he feels fine to go to soccer practice,
I send him back to class, since he clearly is okay. Please be mindful that if I
do make a call to you, your child has already been through this evaluation
process.
This is where I can use your help.
If your child has a complaint in the morning before school, it is useful for me
to know. I appreciate a heads-up call with a message saying your child
complained of a stomachache or headache (or whatever) in the morning, but
seemed fine to come to school. Then I know to call you if your child comes to
see me complaining of not feeling well at school. Otherwise, I would likely
send your child back to class.
Sometimes a child is not feeling
well but doesn’t have a fever or other easily measurable sign of illness.
Obviously if I see a child four times in a morning or if the student is clearly
unfit for the classroom, I will call a parent or designated caretaker. As a parent myself, I know I would want to be
informed if my child was having such a bad day.
This is another way you can help. It
is essential that we have the correct phone numbers to reach a parent or
designated caretaker. If you change your work, cell, or home number, or have a
new babysitter, please be sure to let us know here at Sprague so we can keep
your information current and reach you or your designee quickly.
Please
call me if you have any questions.
Sharon Kahn RN
Sprague School Nurse
781-263-1965
