Health/Nurse

A full time school nurse and medical assistant provide health services to students at John Stark Regional High School. The role of the school nurse is to promote and protect the health of students, thus reducing health barriers that may interfere with the attainment of educational goals. The nurse maintains health records on all students, recording such important information such as vision and hearing screenings, allergies, chronic health conditions, immunizations and physical examinations.

Parents should notify the nurse of any change in their child's health status, especially if it involves a communicable disease. Injury or illness Any student who sustains an injury or becomes ill is to report immediately to the Health Office or have an adult contact the school nurse if he/she is unable to move. Often what appears to be a minor injury or illness is more serious: therefore, please permit the nurse the opportunity to evaluate the situation and make the appropriate recommendation for care. Students requiring health services should first obtain a pass from their teacher, unless it is a medical emergency. If the school nurse determines a student is not well enough to remain in school, the parent/guardian will be notified by telephone. Students that require dismissal from school due to illness or injury must be dismissed through the Health Office. We ask that students not contact parents from a cell phone before coming to the Health Office. The Health Office will contact a parent/guardian or other adult designated on the emergency contact form to arrange dismissal. It is the parent/guardian’s responsibility to arrange transportation home as soon as possible.

When should they stay home?

For the comfort of your child and the safety of all the students and staff with whom they come in contact, please keep your child home if one or more of the following conditions has occurred within the last 24 hours:

• A temperature of 100 ° or greater: may return after 24 hours without medication
• Diarrhea/Vomiting: Must be symptom-free for 24 hours without medications in order to return to school
• Bacterial Conjunctivitis: May return 24 hours after treatment has begun
• Staph Infection: May return 24 hours after treatment has begun
• Strep Throat: May return 24 hours after treatment has begun.

Please do not send students to school with these symptoms!

Immunizations

The State of New Hampshire (NH RSA 141-C:20-a) requires that children who are attending public or private schools show proof of adequate immunization (for a listing of immunization requirements by age, please visit the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services [DHHS] website: www.dhhs.nh.gov/dphs/immunization/schools.htm). Immunization requirements may be waived for medical or religious reasons. If medical reasons: provide evidence from your physician that the immunization would be detrimental to your child’s health. For religious reasons: provide a notarized religious exemption form; the form can be found at the DHHS website (NH RSA 141-C:20-c). Students entering John Stark Regional High School for the first time must have up-to-date immunizations and show evidence of a physical exam completed within the last year. Students who do not comply with the requirements for immunization or physicals may be excluded from school until they do so (Ed 311.01 (d)).

Physical exams

A current copy of your student’s physical exam must be on file with the Health Office prior to the start of the school year and have been completed within one year of entrance into 9 th grade. Again, please check with your medical provider to determine if an appointment is needed. Please forward physical exam forms and immunizations records directly to the Health Office by fax (529-5311) or mail. (PLEASE NOTE: Student athletes must also comply with NHIAA requirements which may differ.)

Medications (prescription & over-the-counter):

Students are prohibited from carrying or self-administering ANY (including over-the-counter) medication on school property, per state law. (Exception: Prescribed Emergency Medications - Inhalers, Epi-Pens and Glucagon with a licensed healthcare provider and parent/guardian permission on file in the Health Office - NH RSA 200:46/RSA 200:42). Students are prohibited from transporting medications. This policy is to protect the health and safety of the entire JSRHS community. No medication should be taken during school hours if it is possible to achieve the medical regimen at home. Please contact the school nurse as soon as possible when any medication may be needed during the school day. The Health Office stocks some basic over-the-counter medications for occasional use to help alleviate common discomforts. Parents/legal guardians may provide consent by completing and signing an Over-The-Counter Medication Consent, available through PowerSchool, our online registration software at the beginning of the school year or you may complete a paper copy. Completed forms are valid for the current school year only and a new consent form must be signed each school year. Administration is at the discretion of the school nurse.

Please refer to the links at the bottom of this page and download the PDFs as needed.

• ASTHMA:
• CDC Asthma Brochure - https://www.cdc.gov/asthma/pdfs/asthma_brochure.pdf
• CDC How to Administer an Albuterol Inhaler - https://www.cdc.gov/asthma/inhaler_video/default.htm
• Breathe NH (information on vaping/tobacco/lung health): https://www.breathenh.org/lung-health/e-cigarettesvaping

CONCUSSION INFORMATION:

• NHIAA Concussion Information
• Concussion Fact Sheet for Parents
• Concussion Fact Sheet
• Returning To School After A Concussion
• Concussion Recognition and Response (Intellectual Disabilities)

LIFE THREATENING ALLERGIES:

• How to Administer an Epinephrine Pen
• How to Administer an Auvi-Q Epinephrine Injector

Food Allergy Network

• https://www.foodallergy.org/living-food-allergies/food-allergy-essentials/free-downloadable-resources
• FARE Sifter Food Allergen Finder

Safe Snack Guide

• https://snacksafely.com/safe-snack-guide/

EPILEPSY/SEIZURE DISORDER:

• Seizure First Aid
• Tips for Seizure Observation and Recording
• Seizure and Epilepsy Overview
• 24/7 Seizure Helpline

Insurance/Financial Assistance Information:

• Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Information - https://www.healthcare.gov/medicaid-chip/childrens-health-insurance-program/
• How to get a Marketplace Health Insurance Plan - https://www.healthcare.gov/quick-guide/getting-marketplace-health-insurance/
• Medicaid Dental Services - https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/programs-services/health-care/medicaid-dental-services-new-hampshire-smiles-program
• NH DHHS Financial Assistance page - https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/financial-assistance-0

Information on Common Health Concerns:

• Bed Bug Information - https://www.manchesternh.gov/Portals/2/Departments/health/BEDBUGFACTSHEET.PDF
• Breathe Easy Program - https://www.manchesternh.gov/Portals/2/Departments/health/BreatheEasyBrochure2008English.pdf
• Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye) - http://www.dhhs.nh.gov/dphs/cdcs/documents/handbook.pdf
• COVID Information - https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/isolation.html
• Fifth Disease - https://www.cdc.gov/parvovirusb19/fifth-disease.html
• Flu (Influenza) Information - https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/programs-services/disease-prevention/infectious-disease-control/influenza-flu
• Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease - https://www.cdc.gov/hand-foot-mouth/about/transmission.html
• Head Lice Information - https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/lice/head/gen_info/faqs.html
• Lyme Disease Information - https://www.cdc.gov/lyme/faq/
• Measles Information - https://www.cdc.gov/measles/
• Strep Throat Information - https://www.cdc.gov/groupastrep/diseases-public/strep-throat.html
• NH DHHS Child Care, Parenting and Childbirth page - https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/programs-services/childcare-parenting-childbirth
• NH DHHS Health Care page - https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/programs-services/health-care
• Centers For Disease Control and Prevention - https://www.cdc.gov/

Mental/Behavioral Health Concerns:

• Anxiety Support Information - Anxiety Support Information PDF
• NH Rapid Response Access Point (for mental health and /or substance use crisis) - https://www.nh988.com/, https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/sites/g/files/ehbemt476/files/documents2/988-talking-points.pdf
• Mental Health and Coping with Stress Resources - https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/resources/coping-with-stress-resources.html
• Suicide Prevention - https://www.cdc.gov/injury/features/be-there-prevent-suicide/
• NH DHHS Child Protection and Juvenile Justice page - https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/programs-services/child-protection-juvenile-justice

New Hampshire School Immunization Information/Forms:

• NH School Immunization Information - https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/programs-services/disease-prevention/immunizations/immunization-guidance-schools

STAFF INFORMATION

• HEADS UP to Youth Sports: Online Training
• New Hampshire Concussion Management Law
• HEADS UP Training Courses-CDC
• HEADS UP to Schools: Teachers, Counselors and School Professionals
• TIPS FOR TEACHERS: Helping Students Recover From A Concussion

HYGIENE CHECKLIST FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS:

• https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Tk5V9NAzq0pgLbcNBGTPF5ssd00PsX5xJPnTHBmshI0/edit