Did you know nearly 27% of children in the United States live with chronic health conditions like asthma or allergies? These conditions can have major effects on a child’s daily life and normal activities; like going to school.
If a chronic health condition affects your child, working successfully with your school's nurse will help keep him or her safe and allow them to get the most out of their school year. Healthy children make better learners. Because a majority of a child's day is spent in the classroom, it is important to communicate clearly and regularly with your child’s school nurse. Make arrangements to visit the school nurse with your child to discuss your child’s individual needs or concerns. This way parent and child can feel comfortable with the plan at school.
Here are some important things to keep in mind:
- Be very specific in your discussions. For example, if your child has asthma, the school needs to know how severe it is, what medication he or she takes, and what to do in an emergency.
- With food allergies, provide a list of foods to be avoided along with doctor-recommended substitutions.
- Bring current, signed health care provider orders for treatments and all medication to be given at school. Bring the medical supplies and medication in the original container.
- Give permission for the school nurse to communicate with your child’s healthcare provider.
- Provide parent/caregiver contact information and update the school with any changes.
- Know your school's policy regarding when to keep a sick child home.
- Make sure your child eats breakfast everyday and gets 8-10 hours of sleep at night.
- Make sure your child dresses appropriately for the weather and has a water bottle at school for good hydration.
- Talk to your child about hand hygiene to prevent the spread of infection/communicable disease.
- Make sure required and recommended immunizations are up-to-date including an annual flu vaccine.
Holland Hospital School Nurses provide preventive and treatment services to students in the Holland Public, Holland Christian, West Ottawa Public, Fennville Public and Hamilton school districts. In the last school year, the school nurses served 11,000 students in more than 20 schools along the lakeshore.
Learn more about the Holland Hospital School Nurse program.