Health Services/Forms

The school medical advisor, appointed by the superintendent, and the school nurse supervisor 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.

School nursing is a specialized practice of professional nursing that advances the well-being, academic success, and life-long achievement and health of students. To that end, school nurses facilitate positive student responses to normal development; promote health and safety, including a healthy environment; intervene with actual and potential health problems; provide case management services; and actively collaborate with others to build student and family capacity for adaptation, self-management, self advocacy, and learning (NASN, 2010)

Mary B. Keller, R.N., MPH
Supervisor, School Health Program
Tel: 203-625 -7494
Fax: 203-344-9052
E-mail: Mary_Keller@Greenwich.k12.ct.us

Center for Disease Control: Healthy Schools: https://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/

American Academy of Pediatrics: https://www.aap.org

The Flu: Important Information (Spanish)

Healthy ConneCTions: https://portal.ct.gov/SDE/WSCC/Whole-School-Whole-Community-Whole-Child

 

The Flu Has Arrived
As we enter into peak influenza (Flu) season, we do have several confirmed cases of flu in the district and children and adults who are immunocompromised. Please be cognizant of those around you when questioning whether to send your child to school. Influenza is a contagious disease caused by a respiratory virus. Please monitor your child carefully, and notify your physician if your child develops any of the following signs or symptoms listed below.

Signs/Symptoms:

• Sudden onset of fever
• Headache
• Chills
• Muscle aches and pains
• Sore throat
• Cough
• Mild pink eye
• Decreased energy
• Abdominal pain
• Nausea and vomiting (These symptoms alone or with a fever often are caused by other factors, not influenza virus)
• In young infants, croup, bronchiolitis, or pneumonia

Transmission:
The incubation period of Flu is 1 to 3 days. However, your child can be contagious from the day before the signs or symptoms appear until 7 days after the onset of Flu. The infection is spread by direct contact from sneezing and coughing, and indirect contact from hands and articles soiled with nose and throat secretions. Therefore, frequent and careful hand washing with soap is most important. Children and adults should cover their noses and mouths when sneezing or coughing with a disposable tissue if possible, or with your arm if no tissue is available. Wash hands after contact with soiled tissues or any soiled items, and dispose of tissues after each use. Rooms are cleaned nightly , with special attention to those that have had  reported cases of flu. In addition, Health Alerts will be sent to families in any class where  Influenza has been diagnosed.
 
Treatment:
Call your child’s pediatrician if your child has the above symptoms and a fever. Viruses are not treated with antibiotics, but your physician will advise you regarding supportive care for your child when ill. Please report episodes of confirmed Flu (diagnosed by physician) to our office as soon as possible utilizing School Dismissal Manager. Children are required to stay home for five days starting  from the first day of symptoms for a physician confirmed diagnosis.

 

La Gripe ha Llegado
A medida que entramos en la temporada alta de influenza (gripe), tenemos varios casos confirmados de gripe en el distrito de niños y adultos inmunodeprimidos. Por favor esté consciente quienes lo rodean cuando pregunte si debe enviar a su hijo/hija a la escuela. La influenza es una enfermedad contagiosa causada por un virus respiratorio. Controle a su hijo/hija cuidadosamente y notifique a su médico si su hijo/hija desarrolla alguno de los siguientes signos o síntomas que se enumeran a continuación.

Signos/Síntomas:

• Un comienzo de fiebre repentina
• Dolor de cabeza
• Resfriado
• Dolores y molestias musculares
• Dolor de garganta
• Tos
• Leve conjuntivitis
• Energía reducida
• Dolor abdominal
• Náusea y vómito (Estos síntomas solos o con fiebre frecuentemente son causados por otros factores, no por el virus de la influenza)
• En niños/as infantiles, crup o garrotillo, bronquiolitis, or neumonía

Transmisión:
El período de incubación de la gripe es de 1 a 3 días. Sin embargo, su hijo puede ser contagioso desde el día anterior a la aparición de los signos o síntomas hasta 7 días después del inicio de la Gripe. La infección se transmite por contacto directo por estornudos y tos, y por contacto indirecto de manos y artículos sucios con secreciones de nariz y garganta. Por lo tanto, el lavado frecuente y cuidadoso de las manos con jabón es lo más importante. Los niños y los adultos deben cubrirse la nariz y la boca al estornudar o toser con un pañuelo desechable, si es posible, o con el brazo si no hay pañuelo disponible. Lávese las manos después del contacto con pañuelos sucios o cualquier artículo sucio, y deseche los pañuelos después de cada uso. Las habitaciones se limpian todas las noches, con especial atención a las que han reportado casos de gripe. Además, se enviarán Alertas de Salud a las familias de cualquier clase donde se haya diagnosticado la influenza.
 
Tratamiento:
Llame al pediatra de su hijo/hija si tiene los síntomas anteriores y fiebre. Los virus no se tratan con antibióticos, pero su médico le aconsejará sobre la atención de apoyo para su hijo/hija cuando esté enfermo. Por favor informe los episodios de gripe confirmada (diagnosticados por un médico) a nuestra oficina lo antes posible utilizando el Administrador de Despido Escolar. Los niños/as deben permanecer en casa durante cinco días a partir del primer día de síntomas para un diagnóstico confirmado por un médico.