10/28/2022
As we are entering the cold and flu season, this is a reminder of the best health practices to decrease the spread and transmission of viruses in PWCS schools.
Please remember to cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and throw used tissues in the trash. If you don't have a tissue, cough, or sneeze into your elbow, not your hands. Wash hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds, dry hands with a paper towel, and use the paper towel to turn off the faucet. If soap and water are not available, hand sanitizers may also be used to preform hand hygiene. Remember to stay home when you’re sick until at least 24 hours without a fever or the use of fever reducing medicine. Together we can help stop the spread of germs that may make you and others ill."
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Immunizations Information
If you have questions, please contact the school nurse or visit the immunization requirements webpage.
_____________________________________________________________________________Reasons Your Child Should Stay Home From School Or May Be Sent Home By The Nurse During The School Day:
- Fever of 100.4º F and over - exclude until student has been fever-free without the use of fever reducing medications (like Tylenol or Motrin) for at least 24 hours.
- Conjunctivitis (pink eye), strep infections, ringworm, and impetigo are all infections and must be treated with medication for a minimum of 24 hours before returning to school. Please do not allow affected students back before this time so that other students are not infected unnecessarily.
- Rash of unknown origin with fever and/or behavioral changes, until a primary care provider has determined that the illness is not a communicable disease.
- Head injury.
- Severe coughing or difficulty breathing.
- Colds - a child with thick or constant nasal discharge should remain home.
- Diarrhea - sudden increase in frequency to more than three loose/watery stools per day. Exclude until student has been symptom free for at least 24 hours.
- Vomiting - unless the vomiting is determined to be caused by a diagnosed non-communicable/non-infectious condition (such as dysmenorrhea, dysphagia, etc.).
- Abdominal pain that continues for more that two hours or intermittent abdominal pain associated with fever or other signs or symptoms.
- Stiff neck associated with fever and/or a recent injury.
- Inadequate immunizations with known disease outbreak in school.
- Refer to the Virginia Department of Health's "Communicable Disease Reference Chart for School Personnel" for other exclusions/information.
- Refer to PWCS Regulation 757-1
All students should have up-to-date parent/guardian contact information and three local emergency contacts on file with the school in the event that contact needs to be made due to a student health emergency.
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Health Treatment Plans
Medications
Over-the-counter medications requiring administration greater than the dose or age on the label must have physician's signature on the authorization form (Ex: Advil tabs for >12 yrs). Prescription medications, of course, also require a physician's signature.
ALL forms must be updated every year. Medications must be picked up the last week of school or will be disposed of by staff.
