When should I keep my child home from school?
Consider keeping your child home if they:
- Have a fever of 100.1 degrees or higher
- Have been vomiting
- Have symptoms preventing them from participating in school such as:
- Excessive tiredness or lack of appetite
- Productive coughing or sneezing, inability to consistently cover cough/sneeze
- Headache, body aches, earache
- Sore throat
- Rash
Keep your child home until their fever has been gone for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication. Colds can be contagious for at least 48 hours. Although your child's presence in school is important, returning to school too soon may slow the recovery process and expose others unnecessarily to illness.
Do I need to notify school personnel if my child will be absent?
Yes. Please report any absences using the following:
Attendance Phone Numbers:
- Bethlehem Elementary School - (203) 266-7506 x1
- Mitchell Elementary School - (203) 263-4314 x1
- Woodbury Middle School - (203) 263-4306 x1
- Nonnewaug High School - (203) 263-2186 x1
If your child's attendance pattern is affecting school performance, you may be contacted to discuss a plan to ensure maximum school attendance while addressing your child's individual health needs.
What do I do if my child needs medication during the school day?
An "Authorization for the Administration of Medicine" (doctor's order) is required for any medication that is to be given at any Region 14 school. This includes prescribed and over the counter medications, Advil, Tylenol, eye drops, cough drops, hydrocortisone creams, sunscreen, etc. The form must be signed by your medical provider (Physician, Physicians Assistant, APRN, Dentist, or Optometrist licensed to prescribe medication in accordance with state law. Please note that orders cannot be accepted from a Naturopathic Doctor). The "Authorization for the Administration of Medicine" form is available in the main office and health office or you can download and print it from the Health Forms tab above.
Can I send in medication to school with my child?
Medication cannot be sent to school with a child (for example lactaid tablets, vitamins). It must be delivered to the school nurse by an adult. Medication must be delivered in the original container/packaging. Prescription medication must have a current and complete prescription label from the packing pharmacy. An "Authorization for the Administration of Medicine" form must be completed and signed by the prescribing physician.
What do I do if my child has an injury or illness and cannot participate in Physical Education (Gym) or Recess activities?
It is expected that students will arrive at school available to learn and ready to participate fully in all activities within the school day. If your child has an injury or illness that prevents full participation, communication from your medical provider is required specifying activities that must be modified or avoided. For a child to be excused from physical education due to illness or injury a physician's order is required.
Will my child need a physical exam yearly?
A physical exam is required before the start of kindergarten, or if your child is entering school in Connecticut for the first time. The entry physical must have been done within one year prior to your child's starting school date. An annual physical is not required, but one may be requested if your child has medical issues that require school planning. If your child should receive any immunizations, please forward the update to the school nurse. The "Health Assessment Record (entry to grades K-12)" form is available in the main office and health office or you can download and print it from the Health Forms tab above.
Can you talk to my child's doctor directly about his/her health or school matters?
School nurses can contact your medical provider directly to discuss required school immunizations, questions regarding active medication orders, and questions related to your child's physical exam. Any other communication will require a parent or guardian's written permission. The "Permssion to Release Records Form" form is available in the main office and health office or you can download and print it from the Health Forms tab above.
Are Health Screenings Performed each year?
Screenings are performed according to the following schedule:
- Vision & Hearing: K, 1, 3, 4, 5
- Postural: Grades 5 & 7 for females, Grades 8 or 9 for males
A parent and/or teacher may request a re-screening at any time during the academic year. If a student has failed a screening a individual referral will be sent home.