Welcome
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Welcome to The West Hollow Nurses Office Information Page
We hope you will find this site useful and informative
Office Hours 7:40A.M. - 2:40 P.M.
Phone: 592-3401
Fax: 592-3937
Our Staff
Donna Ingoglia R.N.
Karen Duenas R.N.
Lillian Pappas
Attendance/Emergency Contacts/Screenings
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DAILY ATTENDANCE
If your child will be out sick, please call the Attendance Office at 592-3410 - Answering machine available during non school hours. Please keep children home from school until they are fever free for 24 hours. Medicating a child for fever with Tylenol/Advil/Motrin does NOT render them contagion free. Please remember this is essential for the protection of the general population and especially to immunosuppressed staff/children on chemotherapy as well as pregnant staff. To prevent the spread of infection, we need your diligent cooperation in this matter.
EMERGENCY HEALTH CONTACTS
Please make sure all of you information on Infinite Campus is correct. These are the numbers we will use in the event of illness/emergency. Please make any changes through parent portal or call the MIS department at 592-3080.
Please remember update contacts/numbers as they change - including temporary numbers in the event of parent/guardian vacations or out of town business.
VISION, HEARING & SCOLIOSIS SCREENINGS
Every year in the health office all students in 7th grade will be screened for vision, hearing and scoliosis per NYS mandates.
NYS also requires all 7th graders receive a routine physical exam. Please provide documentation from your child's MD. A school form may be provided, but your doctor's paperwork is acceptable. You may opt for the school physician to provide this examination.
Physical Education Excuses
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Physical Education is a NYS mandated class. If your child has a minor illness/injury and you prefer them to miss Phys Ed class for the day, please send them to the nurse with a note from you and/or give us a call at the health office at 592-3401.
Any prolonged absence from Physical Education requires an MD note. Please be aware if the doctor's note indicates "no gym until further notice", another note from the same doctor is required before clearance is granted.
Please be aware an MD note is required if your child is to use crutches, cane, boot or any other device in school with explicit directions/restrictions ie: non- weight bearing, partial weight bearing, may use stairs, elevator only, etc
Entering 6th Graders
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TWO Varicella immunizations or documentation from MD of history of disease is required for all incoming 6th graders. Those without are subject to exclusion from school.
Tdap immunization documentation is also required.
- Boostrix (brand name of Tdap that can be given prior to age 11) - Adacel (brand name of Tdap given after age 11)
Children without Tdap immunization are subject to exclusion if not received within 14 days of their 11th birthday.
Entering 7th graders
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All students entering 7th grade require one meningococcal vaccine.
Medication in School
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ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATIONS
Under certain circumstances, when it is necessary for a child to take medication during school hours, the nurse will collaborate with the family physician and the parents.
In order for the nurse to administer medications, including over-the-counter drugs such as Tylenol, eye drops, cortisone cream, etc., the parent must submit:
-a request in writing from the parent or guardian;
-a written prescription from the doctor in which he/she
indicates the frequency and dosage of the medication
to be given;
-medication in a labeled container from the pharmacy
Medical request forms can be obtained in the health office. Parents need to transport medications as prescribed. Other than asthma inhalers (where indicated by MD note as "ok to self carry") children are not permitted to bring and/or carry medications in school. NEW/UPDATED MEDICATION ORDERS ARE NEEDED EACH YEAR FOR ELEM., MIDDLE, & H.S.
Requirement for storage of medications for self-directed students during school hours and at school sponsered events, such as field trips if the school nurse is not present:
Students' medications must ALWAYS remain in a properly labeled pharmacy containers or original OTC (over the counter) container.
The 2002 Medication Guidelines allowed the following. When oral medication is to be given off school grounds or after school hours, the medication may be prepared by the school nurse for short out-of-school experiences.
*** THIS HAS CHANGED*** Nurses may no longer place a medication into an envelope or other unlabeled container for an unlicensed person to "assist" the student. The Board of Pharmacy considers this to be "dispensing" and nurses do not dispense. Best practice would indicate that medication should always remain in the original bottle until it is given to the student. With field trips rapidly approaching, it would be timely to ask parents/guardians to bring in an identically labeled bottle if you do not presently have one. The nurse MAY transfer a medication from one labeled bottle to another identically labeled bottle.
Physical Exam
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A general exam is required for all new entrants to the district as well as for 7th graders that includes a BMI/Percentile/Weight Status Category. Parent/Guardian may opt to use their private physician or a school physician. NYS has issued a new form for physical exams which will be distributed from the health office. Per NYS beginning 2020-2021 school year ONLY NYSED form will be accepted
Health Screenings
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NYS Mandated Screenings will be conducted in school by a Registered Nurse as Follows:
Vision (distance) grade 7
Hearing grade 7
Scoliosis girls grade 7
Physical by school doctor or private MD required for grade 7
* beginning 2008 -2009 NYS mandate includes BMI/Percentile/Weight Status Category and a dental certificate. A list of dentists provided upon request. Call our office 592-3401
** PER NYS:IN 2020-2021 SCHOOL YEAR ONLY THE APPROVED NYSED FORM WILL BE ACCEPTED**
Attendance/Emergency Contacts/Screenings
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DAILY ATTENDANCE
If your child will be out sick, please call the Attendance Office at 592-3410 - Answering machine available during non school hours. Please keep children home from school until they are fever free for 24 hours. Medicating a child for fever with Tylenol/Advil/Motrin does NOT render them contagion free. Please remember this is essential for the protection of the general population and especially to immunosuppressed staff/children on chemotherapy as well as pregnant staff. To prevent the spread of infection, we need your diligent cooperation in this matter.
EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBERS
*Also check the HHH website for your contact numbers and e-mail addresses. You can add/edit/update these from the parent portal. This will help all school personnel contact you when needed.
VISION, HEARING & SCOLIOSIS SCREENINGS
Every year in the health office all students in 7th grade will be screened for vision, hearing and scoliosis per NYS mandates.
NYS also requires all 7th graders receive a routine physical exam. Please provide documentation from your child's MD. A school form may be provided, but your doctor's paperwork is acceptable. You may opt for the school physician to provide this examination.
Sports/Seasons
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All 7th and 8th grade students are eligible to try-out for West Hollow teams. See below for sports offered listed by seasons. Signs are posted in locker rooms and announcements are made in advisory approximately 2 weeks prior to each season to alert students of upcoming sports. Students need to have the appropriate paperwork submitted prior to each season to be eligible. See instructions below re: athletic paperwork. {please be aware H.S sport seasons/dates do not coincide with middle school}
6th grade students interested in playing a fall sport in September (start of their 7th grade year) should complete appropriate requirements in May/June of this year.
See The "Calendar" for Athletic Physical dates and deadlines for paperwork.
Fall Sports Boys- Football, Cross Country, Soccer, Volleyball (HS), Golf (HS)
Fall Sports Girls- Field Hockey, Cross Country, Soccer, **Kickline/Cheerleading, Volleyball (HS), Girls Tennis (HS), Gymnastics (HS), Swimming (HS)
Winter I Boys - Basketball, Swimming (HS)
Winter I Girls - Volleyball
Winter II Boys -Volleyball, Wrestling, Tennis (HS)
Winter II Girls - Basketball, Golf (HS)
Spring Boys - Baseball, Lacrosse, Track, Swimming
Spring Girls - Softball, Lacrosse, Track, Swimming
** WH Kickline/Cheerleading (girls entering 7th and 8th grade eligible)
** HSE Cheerleading (girls entering 9th grade in Sept are eligible)
***SEE CALENDAR FOR DATES AND DEADLINES***
Lice Information
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What are the symptoms of head lice?
• An itchy scalp
• A tickling feeling of something moving on the scalp or through the hair
• Red bite marks on the scalp caused by excessive scratching or a red rash on the back of neck
What are the nits and what do they look like?
Nits (louse eggs) are very small, about the size of a sesame seed. They are laid by the adult female and are attached at an angle to the base of the hair shaft, with a strong glue. They are yellowish, tan or coffee covered ovals. They are usually, but not exclusively, found on the crown of the head, around the ears, and near the nape of the neck. Nits take about 7 to 10 days to hatch.
How can I tell if it’s a nit?
Nits are glued to the hair and will be difficult to remove. They will not blow.
Can lice jump or fly?
No, lice are crawling insects. They do not have wings.
Can my pet have lice?
No, only humans can get head lice.
Will adding gel to my child’s hair prevent him or her from getting lice?
Unfortunately, gel does nothing to prevent head lice. It is better to take the extra time to brush hair and pull it back. A spritz or two of mint spray may help as well. Do not share brushes, combs, hair clips, hats, etc.
Lice Shampoo
Over –the- Counter lice shampoos only kill adult lice and adolescent newts. These shampoos work by attacking the bug’s central nervous system. Because baby lice or “nymphs” have not yet developed a central nervous system, they can not be killed. In addition, lice shampoos do not kill lice eggs or “nits”. So while you may kill the adult bugs, their eggs will remain, only to hatch a few days later starting the cycle all over again. Some adult lice may become resistant to these chemicals. The only way to guarantee the complete removal of head lice is by hand picking each and every bug and nit.
Myths
. Head lice means you have poor hygiene.
FALSE: Lice actually prefer clean healthy heads.
. Once you have lice you’re less likely to catch it again.
FALSE: Actually, the opposite. Lice leave a scent that actually calls for other lice telling them you are a good food source. Additionally you often return to the same group of friends where lice may already exist.
. You can drown and wash away lice if you take a long shower and wash your hair repeatedly.
FALSE: Lice can hold their breath for up to 2 hours and lock their claw-like legs onto the hair shaft; allowing them to hang on for dear life.
Illness at West Hollow
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When to Stay Home. When to Return to School
Your child will probably need to stay home if he/she:
- Has a fever higher than 100 F (38 C)
- Is vomiting
- Has diarrhea
- Is in the first 24 hours of antibiotic treatment for pink eye or strep throat
Generally, a child can return to school or when he/she:
- Has no fever for 24 hours
- Can eat and drink normally
- Is rested and alert enough to pay attention in class
-Has completed any period of doctor-recommended isolation
*Medicating a child for fever with Tylenol/Advil/Motrin does NOT render them contagion free. Please remember this is essential for the protection of the general population and especially to immunosuppressed staff/children on chemotherapy as well as pregnant staff. To prevent the spread of infection, we need your diligent cooperation in this matter.
If your child has flu symptoms (cough, fever, body aches, congestion), the Center for Disease Control guidelines recommend your child stay home 24 after fever (Temp 100 and above) subsides. If fever subsides but symptoms persist, they recommend an additional 24 hours with no symptoms before returning to school. This is because the virus can shed for this period of time and infect others.
Prevention for One and All
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Common sense can go a long way toward preventing illness. Teach your child the basics:
Keep your hands clean. Remind your child to wash his or her hands before eating and after using the toilet or blowing his or her nose. Suggest soaping up for as long as it takes to sing the ABCs, "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" or the "Happy Birthday" song.
Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze. It's best to use a tissue. If you can't reach a tissue in time, cough or sneeze into the crook of your elbow.
Keep your hands away from your eyes and out of your mouth. Hands are often covered in germs.
Avoid anyone who's sick. Close contact with someone who's sick could leave you sick, too.
As your child gets older, he or she will build an arsenal of antibodies to fight common viruses. Gradually your child will become less prone to common illnesses and recover more quickly from the illnesses he or she does catch.
