Health Services/Forms

School Health Program

The school medical advisor, appointed by the superintendent, and the supervisor of school health services direct the school health program. Each school is provided with the services of a public health nurse specializing in the practice of School Nursing and other members of the health care team on a regular basis.

Nurses work 10 months (while school is in session). For any questions/concerns during the summer months, please reach out to Nursing Supervisor Jessica Wieneke at Jessica_Wieneke@greenwich.k12.ct.us. Health forms for new and existing students may be submitted to gps_healthforms@greenwich.k12.ct.us. Any health form related questions may be directed to that email.

School Nurse Directory

School	Nurse	Email
Cos Cob School	Lynda Young, RN	Lynda_Young@greenwich.k12.ct.us
Glenville School	Haley Hupal, RN	Haley_Hupal@greenwich.k12.ct.us
Hamilton Avenue School	Domenica Picciallo, RN	Domenica_Picciallo@greenwich.k12.ct.us
International School at Dundee	Jessica Gentile, RN	Jessica_Gentile@greenwich.k12.ct.us
Julian Curtiss School	Sarah Flynn, RN	Sarah_Flynn@greenwich.k12.ct.us
New Lebanon School	Nancy Minowitz, RN	Nancy_Minowitz@greenwich.k12.ct.us
North Mianus School	Cathy Martise, RN	Catherine_Martise@greenwich.k12.ct.us
North Street School	Nicole Maetke, RN	Nicole_Maetke@greenwich.k12.ct.us
Old Greenwich School	TBD	TBD
Parkway School	TBD	TBD
Riverside School	Catherine Flynn, RN	Catherine_Flynn@greenwich.k12.ct.us
Central Middle School	Lori Fierro, RN	Lori_Fierro@greenwich.k12.ct.us
Eastern Middle School	Tina Wickstrom, RN	Tina_Wickstrom@greenwich.k12.ct.us
Western Middle School	Marisol Edward, RN	Marisol_Edward@greenwich.k12.ct.us
Greenwich High School	Heather Meehan, RN Maryann O’Connor, RN Maryann Belanger, RN	Heather_Meehan@greenwich.k12.ct.us Maryann_O'connor@greenwich.k12.ct.us Maryann Belanger@greenwich.k12.ct.us
Central Nursing Office Health Administrative Assistants	Kelly Oxer-District Diana Corletto- Middle Schools Angela Rios-GHS	Kelly_Oxer@greenwich.k12.ct.us Diana_Corletto@greenwich.k12.ct.us Angela_Rios@greenwich.k12.ct.us
Supervisor of School Health Services	Jessica Wieneke, MSN, RN	Jessica_Wieneke@greenwich.k12.ct.us

Medication

If your child requires a prescription or over-the-counter medication during the school day, you must follow the procedures required by Greenwich Public Schools, Connecticut General Statutes, Sec. 10-212a, and Connecticut Administrative Regulations, Sec. 10-212a-1 through 10-212a-9. These procedures promote safe practices for students and staff. For each medication that must be administered daily or on an as-needed basis, the parent must obtain the written order of an authorized prescriber (physician, dentist¸ advanced practice registered nurse, physician assistant or optometrist) using Greenwich Public Schools' form. A new order is required each year. Medications must be in the original, properly labeled container and dispensed by a physician/pharmacist. Over-the-counter medications must be delivered in an unopened, properly labeled container.

Students are not permitted to carry any medication in school, (including over-the-counter drugs), unless they have the written authorization as described above. Generally, students are only permitted to self-administer rescue or emergency medications, such as EpiPens and asthma inhalers. Self-administration of other non-controlled drugs may be approved for specific circumstances. The medication plan for self-administration must be signed, approved and on file in the health office before a student may carry his or her own medication. Students who have a self-administration plan must keep the medication on or with their person at all times. Students are not permitted to self carry any controlled medications under any circumstances.

Public Act 14-0176 (An Act Concerning the Storage and Administration of Epinephrine at Public Schools) requires the administration of epinephrine as emergency first aid to students experiencing an allergic reaction, even if the student does not have parental authorization or the order of a qualified medication professional. In the absence of the school nurse, the administration of epinephrine may be done by a qualified personnel who has completed required training.

Public Act 22-80 (An Act Concerning the Childhood Mental and Physical Health Services in Schools) requires the administration of an opioid antagonist on an emergency basis and without prior written authorization to students experiencing opioid-related drug overdoses, provided certain requirements are met. By law, an opioid antagonist means naloxone hydrochloride (e.g. Narcan) or any other similarly acting equally safe drug that the FDA has approved for the treatment of drug overdose. In the absence of the school nurse, the administration of Opioid Antagonists may be done by a qualified personnel who has completed required training.

Parents or Guardians must notify the school nurse in writing annually if they refuse to have Epinephrine and or an Opioid Antagonist administered to their child as an emergency first aid by the school nurse or in absence of the school nurse, a qualified personnel.

Enrollment Medical Requirements

Physical Exams with Updated Immunizations are Required:

Entry to Pre-K
1. Exam within one calendar year of entry performed by a Qualified US provider on the Early Childhood Form.
2. Immunizations must be up to date per age
Entry to Kindergarden
1. Exam within one calendar year of entry performed by a Qualified US provider on the K-12 Physical Form.
3rd Grade
1. Exam dated after 1/1/25 for students entering 3rd grade for 2025/2026 school year
2. Must be submitted by the end of 3rd grade year
6th Grade
1. Exam dated after 1/1/25 for students entering 6th grade for the 2025/2026 school year
2. Must be submitted by the end of 6th grade year
10th Grade
1. Exam dated after 1/1/25 for students entering 10th grade for the 2025/2026 school year
2. Must be submitted by the end of 10th grade year
New Students Transferring into Greenwich Public Schools
1. Exam within one calendar year of entry into GPS including up to date immunizations
2. Exam must be completed by a US physician or other qualified provider
  1. Students entering from another country must have their physical performed once they are in the United States.

*No student will be permitted to enter GPS until all health requirements are met

*All health forms should be submitted through aspen during the registration process or emailed to GPS_Healthforms@greenwich.k12.ct.us

Sports Medical Clearance

Sports participation: To participate in the competitive sports teams at the middle and high schools, a physical examination is required every 13 months, in addition concussion, cardiac event, and a waiver regarding interscholastic sports during Covid-19 consent forms are necessary. All sports physical forms can be submitted directly to Final Forms for review by the nursing department
To register for sports: The GHS Athletic Department has partnered with FinalForms, an online forms and data management service, to manage athletic participation. All new and returning student-athletes must register with a parent/guardian through FinalForms prior to tryouts or participation.
1. Click on the Parent Playbook for directions on how to register in FinalForms. If you require any support during the process, scroll to the page bottom in FinalForms and click “Use Support”.
2. Once a physical is submitted to Final Forms, the nursing team will review the forms and contact you if there is any missing information
To send physicals directly to the school: If you are having trouble submitting forms in final forms, you may email the forms directly to the school at which your child is enrolled
1. Greenwich High School: sportsphysicalsghs@greenwich.k12.ct.us
2. Central Middle School: sportsphysicalcms@greenwich.k12.ct.us
3. Eastern Middle School: sportsphysicalems@greenwich.k12.ct.us
4. Western Middle School: sportsphysicalwms@greenwich.k12.ct.us

Health Screenings

Greenwich Public School Nurses perform health screenings based on recommendations from the Connecticut State Department of Education and in compliance with the Connecticut State Statutes and Regulations.

Students are screened annually for vision, hearing and postural problems in the following grades:

Vision Screenings: 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 5th
Hearing Screenings: 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 5th
Postural (Scoliosis) Screening: Females 5th and 7th; Males 8th

*The school nurse will notify the parent/guardian if screening results indicate a need for further evaluation by a medical provider or if the nurse is unable to complete the screening. Parents/guardians who wish to opt out of the state-mandated screening must provide written notification to the school nurse.

*Screenings conducted by a physician and submitted to the school on a physical form during the current school year will be considered valid for that year.

Health Concerns (Acute and Chronic)

Greenwich Public Schools Nurses work closely with families and school staff to ensure all health needs of students are being met. This may include close involvement or referral to specialized educational plans for students with chronic health conditions. Parents have the right under Section 504 to request an accommodation plan for their student with a chronic medical condition that may affect their child’s access to education. Below are resources and guides for both acute and chronic commonly found medical conditions managed in the school setting. If you have a health concern or question, please reach out to the school nurse at your school.

Signs/Symptoms:
- Eyes have redness, tearing, itching, and scratchy or burning feeling
- Occasionally green or yellow pus forms at the inner eyelids and may form crust on the eyelids or eyelashes. This will be especially noticed when waking from sleep.
- Your child may rub his/her eyes frequently. Sometimes the eyelids look swollen. It may also occur during a cold.
- Allergic conjunctivitis seen most often with high pollen counts is not contagious and you will see clear watery eyes; pus is rare.
- Styes are superficial abscesses of the eyelids near the eyelashes and are usually caused by bacteria.
Incubation:
- Conjunctivitis: 3-5 days. Viral is typically 12 hours to 3 days. Bacterial is typically 1-3 days.
Transmission:
- Person to person by direct contact and surfaces touched with infected eye drainage.
Viral infections:
- Are not treated with antibiotics; it will resolve in 3-5 days; a note is required from your physician stating that your child is no longer contagious and the date of return to school.
Bacterial infections:
- Resolve quickly with the antibiotic your physician prescribes; a note is required from your physician stating your child is no longer contagious and the date of return to school.
Allergic conjunctivitis:
- Sometimes treated with non-antibiotic drops; follow your physician's advice; if excluded to home, a note from your physician is required stating that your child is non-contagious and the date of return to school.
Treatment:
- Children with conjunctivitis who appear to be infectious will be sent home immediately. Children with allergic conjunctivitis may be observed at school a day or two; a worsening condition or one that is not improving will be referred home for your physician to assess. Children with visible pus will be excluded and referred to your physician.
- Clean the eye(s) gently with a warm wet compress. To remove crust, leave the wet compress on the eyelid for a few minutes. Gently wipe the eyelid from the nose side to the outer corner. Use a different cloth for each eye. Do this before instilling eye medication if you see pus and/or crusting on eyelids/lashes. Styes are also usually soaked with a warm wet compress; several times a day. When it comes to a head it will drain.
- WASH HANDS FREQUENTLY. Discourage rubbing eyes. Especially wash hands often if your child is rubbing the eyes. Do not share towels, wash clothes etc. If you are having difficulty instilling eye drops, turn your child's head slightly to create a "well" by the eyelid and nose. Tell your child to close the eye. Drop the medicine in the "well" and then tell your child to open the eye. Medicine will then flow into the eye. Hold his/her hands away from the eye so that the medicine is not wiped away. It may take one person to calmly hold your child while another instills the medicine if your child is very young and uncooperative.
General Information:
- Please report episodes of confirmed contagious conjunctivitis to the nurse's office as soon as possible. Please email us even if your child developed conjunctivitis on a non-school day (weekend, holiday).
- Consult your physician if your child's conjunctivitis is not improving
Return to School:
- 24 hours after beginning antibiotic treatment for bacterial conjunctivitis. When symptoms disappear if viral conjunctivitis.
- *We reserve the right to send a student home who displays signs of ill health that may jeopardize the general welfare of the class.

Coxsakie (Hand Foot and Mouth)

Signs/Symptoms:
- Tiny blisters in or around the mouth and on fingers, palms of the hands, buttocks, and soles of the feet lasting longer than a week. One, a few or many blisters in all those areas may be present.
- You may see common cold signs and symptoms with fever, sore throat, runny nose and cough. Mouth blisters are the most troublesome, making eating and drinking difficult.
Incubation:
- 3-6 days.
Transmission:
- Coughing and sneezing
- Direct contact and fecal-oral route spread the virus. Frequent hand washing, covering your mouth when coughing and sneezing and always washing your hands after using the bathroom will decrease the spread of the virus.
Treatment:
- No specific treatment. This viral infection does not respond to antibiotics. Treatment is aimed at fever control and drinking enough fluids.
- Your physician may recommend fever-reducing medication. As with other viral infections, DO NOT GIVE CHILDREN ASPIRIN PRODUCTS.
- Blisters heal better if not opened.
- Wash your hands and your child's hands frequently.
- For problems with eating and drinking:
  - Offer only cool bland liquids; soda and strong juices will be too uncomfortable as they "burn" the mouth.
  - Offer soft, bland, non-spicy foods that are not hot (i.e. buttered pasta, soft bread, puddings, etc).
  - For very painful mouth blisters consult your physician.
General Information:
- Please report episodes of confirmed Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (Coxsackie) to the nurse's office as soon as possible. Please email us even if your child developed Mononucleosis on a non-school day (weekend, holiday).
- There is no vaccine for this virus. Infection with Coxsackie virus generally provides future immunity to the Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease. A second episode is possible from a different subtype (related form) of Coxsackie virus.
Return to School:
- Students must be fever-free for 24 hours without using fever reducing medication.. We reserve the right to send a student home who displays signs of ill health that may jeopardize the general welfare of the class.

Fifths Disease (Parvovirus)

What are the signs or symptoms?
- Fever
- Headache
- Tired, muscle aches
- Uncommon symptoms are itchiness, cough, diarrhea or vomiting, runny nose and joint aches Red "slapped-cheek" rash appears 4 to 14 days (up to 21 days) after these signs or symptoms. This characteristic rash is followed shortly by a lacelike-appearing rash proceeding from trunk to arms, buttocks and thighs.
- Rash may disappear and then reappear after exposure to heat for weeks: once rash appears, the child is no longer contagious and usually does not feel ill. Individuals can be infected and infectious without ever having signs or symptoms. Disease can be severe in people with sickle cell disease or certain blood disorders, as well as those with compromised immune systems.
What are the incubation and contagious periods?
- Incubation Period: 4 - 14 days but can be as long as 21 days.
- Contagious Period: until the rash appears.
How is it spread?
- Respiratory (droplet) route: Contact with large droplets that form when a child talks, coughs or sneezes.
What is the treatment?
- Your physician will advise you about managing uncomfortable symptoms.
- As with other viral infections, DO NOT GIVE CHILDREN ASPIRIN PRODUCTS.
When can my child return to school?
- Your child may return to school when his/her symptoms have gone away, and your child is able to partake in the activities of the school day. YOUR CHILD MAY NOT RETURN UNTIL HE/SHE IS FEVER FREE FOR 24 HOURS WITHOUT TAKING TYLENOL OR MOTRIN. We reserve the right to send a student home who displays signs of ill health that may jeopardize the general welfare of the class.
Additional Information:
- There is no vaccine for Fifth Disease. An infection with this virus usually gives future immunity to further episodes of Fifth Disease.
- Please report episodes of confirmed Fifth Disease to the nurse's office as soon as possible. Please email us even if your child was diagnosed on a non-school day (weekend, holiday, vacation).
- Women who may be pregnant should consult with their medical provider if there is a known or suspected exposure to Parvovirus (Fifths Disease)

Respiratory Illnesses

Flu (Influenza) virus usually presents with the following symptoms: a sudden fever, chills, headache, fatigue, sore throat, dry cough and/or a nasal congestion. While symptoms are similar to a common cold, children with the flu usually have a higher fever and more severe symptoms. If your child experiences flu symptoms, please consult their health care provider.
RSV is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms such as fever, congestion, cough and sneezing. Symptoms may be more severe in young children and the elderly. With RSV, children can become sick very quickly. If you notice a rapid increase in the severity of symptoms and/or changes in breathing, call your child’s health care provider immediately or go directly to the emergency room.
Covid-19 symptoms include sudden loss of taste or smell, cough, headache, shortness of breath, loss of appetite, and sore throat. Symptoms can be similar to those of the common cold or in more severe cases, influenza. Persons experiencing symptoms are recommended to consult their medical providers. GPS is no longer tracking Covid-19 cases or contact tracing potential exposures.
In order to promote the health and safety of our school community, we continue to recommend consulting your health care providers regarding the Flu vaccine and COVID-19 boosters, and following our guidelines for keeping kids home when they are sick
CDC Respiratory Illness Guidelines

Lice (Pediculosis)

Strep Throat

What are the signs or symptoms?
- Sore throat
- Fever
- Stomachache
- Headache
- Swollen lymph nodes in neck
- Decreased appetite
Strep is much less likely if there is…
- Runny nose
- Cough
- Congestion
- Children younger than 3 years with group A streptococcal infection rarely have a sore throat. Most commonly, these children have persistent nasal discharge (which may be associated with a foul odor from the mouth), fever, irritability and loss of appetite.
What is Scarlet Fever?
- A fine red rash that makes the skin feel like sandpaper. Scarlet Fever is caused by toxins produced by a strep infection of the throat or another area of the body. The rash is usually quite prominent in the armpit and groin area, often making the creases in the bed of the elbow and back of the knee pinker than usual. Sometimes, the area around the mouth has a pale appearance.
- Children who have Scarlet Fever are generally not any sicker than children with Strep Throat who do not have the rash.
What are the incubation and contagious periods?
- Incubation Period: 2 to 5 days
- Contagious Period: The risk of spread is reduced when a person who is ill with Strep Throat is treated with antibiotics. Up to 25% of asymptomatic schoolchildren and a small number of adults carry the bacteria that cause Strep Throat in their nose and throat and are not ill. In outbreaks, a higher proportion of children with no symptoms of illness may be carriers. The risk of transmission from someone who is not sick but iscarrying the bacteria is low.
- NOTE: The bacteria that cause Strep Throat also can cause Impetigo.
How is it spread?
- Respiratory (droplet) route: Contact with large droplets that form when a child talks, coughs or sneezes. These droplets can land on or be rubbed into the eyes, nose, or mouth. The droplets do not stay in the air, they usually travel no more than 3 feet and fall onto the ground.
- Contact with the respiratory secretions from or objects contaminated by children who carry Strep bacteria. Close contact helps the spread of the infection.
What is the treatment?
- Your physician will confirm Strep Throat by a throat culture. There are two types of cultures: A Rapid Strep Test (with results in 5-20 minutes) or the more sensitive test is a culture that is read 24 hours later.
- An antibiotic is prescribed for at least 7-10 days. It is very important that your child takes the entire course of medication. Do not stop the medication because your child appears well and/or is fever free continue the medication as directed.
- Your physician will advise you about pain/fever reducing medication. Give plenty of liquids. A child with Strep Throat needs plenty of rest; encourage quiet activities.
- You and your child should wash your hands frequently, especially after coughing, sneezing, or using tissues.
- Do not share drinking glasses, eating utensils, etc. The use of disposable paper cups may be helpful the first 24 hours to remind children not to share cups.
Additional Information
- Please report an episode of confirmed Strep Throat to the nurse's office as soon as possible. Please email us even if your child developed Strep Throat on a non-school day (weekend, holiday, vacation).
- Consult your physician if your child's condition is not improving.
- Some children who have Strep Throat/Scarlet Fever may experience very dry peeling palms afterwards. This is normal.
When can my child return to school?
- A negative culture or 24 hours of antibiotics, and your child has not had a fever without the use of fever reducing medication are required before returning.
- YOUR CHILD MAY NOT RETURN UNTIL HE/SHE IS FEVER FREE FOR AT LEAST 24 HOURS WITHOUT TAKING TYLENOL OR MOTRIN. For example, if your child begins antibiotics at 2 pm today, (s)he may not return to school tomorrow, wait until the following school day.

Lyme Disease and Ticks

Allergies and Anaphylaxis

Greenwich Public School Nurses work closing with all school staff, including food services to ensure a safe environment for any student with a life threatening allergy.
As we prepare for the 2025/2026 school year, this section explains several forms needed for management of a life threatening allergy in the school setting. There are many forms and they can be cumbersome so please reach out to your school nurse if you have any questions regarding them. Additionally, you have the right to request accommodations through section 504.
- School Health Plan (Completed by Parent)
  - This plan is to be filled out by you only. It has a list of all possible accommodations in the school setting. Please review these accommodations carefully and cross off and initial any steps you do not wish to be implemented for your child. Some of these steps require additional written parent permission.
  - This form does not need to be filled out by a doctor.
  - Please attach a picture (wallet size is ideal) to the upper right corner to ensure your child is quickly identified by all school personnel.
- Emergency Treatment Plan (Completed by Physician)
  - This plan is to be filled out by your child’s doctor. It is an outline for allergy management for your child. Your child’s doctor will provide the proper steps to follow in a suspected or identified allergic reaction.
  - Please attach a picture (wallet size is ideal) to the upper right corner to ensure your child is quickly identified by all school personnel.
- Allergen Free Seating Declination Form (Completed by Parent)
  - If you do not wish for your child to eat lunch at an Allergen Free Table please sign and return this form.
  - If you would like for your student to sit at the Allergen Free Table you do not need to return this form.
  - Information regarding this accommodation is explained on the form.
- Two Medication Forms (Completed by both Parent and Physician)
  - A medication form is needed for all medications. A separate form will need to be used for all medications stored at school (for example: benadryl, epipen, inhaler).
  - Order of use of these medications will be outlined by your child’s physician on the Emergency Treatment Plan.
  - These medication forms are valid for ONE year from the start date of the order so anything dated after the end of June of this year will carry your child through the school year.
  - There is a top portion that needs to be filled out by your child’s physician and the bottom part to be filled out by you.
Greenwich Public School Food Awareness Information
Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE)
Students with Special Dietary Needs- GPS Board Policy 5141.25

Seizures

Greenwich Public Schools Nurses work closely with school employees and parents to ensure students with seizure disorders are kept safe at school. This often includes regular communication with the student’s physician and family, training selected school personnel in the administration of seizure medication, and providing education on seizure management in the school setting to all school staff. Nurses work closely with the student’s physician and family to develop a seizure plan for the student in school. Emergency seizure medication is often kept at school for students who may experience a seizure emergency. Student’s management plan including medication orders must be updated yearly at the start of the school year.
Understanding Seizures
Seizure Action Plan

Diabetes

Greenwich Public Schools Nurses work closely with families and their providers to develop a plan to manage a student’s condition during the school day. Effective management and communication is crucial to maintaining a student’s access to education. The nursing team educates staff members on warning signs as well as any pertinent information for a particular student. Student’s management plan including medication orders must be updated yearly at the start of the school year. In most cases, the plan is submitted on the Provider’s own template.
American Diabetes Association Safe at School
Fillable American Diabetes Association School Management Plan

Acute injury/Prolonged Illness/Hospitalizations

For any acute injury:
- A MD note indicating what the injury is as well as any accommodations needed must be submitted to the school nurse prior to the student returning to school
- Students are not permitted to use crutches or other assistive devices at school unless a MD note indicating medical necessity is provided to the school nurse
- The MD note must also indicate whether a student is able/unable to attend PE/Recess and for what duration
- *For return to PE/recess the MD note must have a return date or a new clearance letter must be provided to the school nurse indicating a student is cleared for activity. Students who are restricted from PE/recess are also excluded from athletics
- Greenwich Public Schools reserves the right to restrict PE/recess for an injured student in the absence of a medical note or if more information is needed from the MD
For prolonged acute illness or hospitalization
- A MD note indicating illness as well as duration of school restriction must be provided to the school nurse prior to return to school indicating any accommodations needed
- In some cases, students may require homebound education for medical reasons. Homebound education is provided in cases where students are unable to attend school for an extended period of time for a verified medical reason. For questions regarding homebound services, contact your child’s school counselor or GPS School Health Supervisor, Jessica_wieneke@greenwich.k12.ct.us.

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