School Nurse Forms & Information

According to Delaware state law, and the Delaware Department of Education, all children entering public schools are required to have written documentation of the following:

Immunizations:

• 5 or more doses of DTaP, DTP, or Td vaccine (unless 4th dose was given after the 4th birthday)
• 4 doses of IVP or OPV (unless 3rd dose was given after the 4th Birthday)
• 2 doses of Measles, Mumps, Rubella vaccine
• 3 doses Hepatitis B vaccine
• 2 doses of Varicella (chicken pox) vaccine or written documentation of the disease by a licensed healthcare provider.

Physical Examination: Current, within the two years prior to school entry.

Tuberculosis: Results of Mantoux screening within the past 12 months or risk assessment as recommended by Delaware Division of Public Health.

How does a parent/guardian decide when to send a child to school who states he/she isn’t feeling well?  This can be a very difficult question for parents and caretakers to answer early in the morning.

Listed below are some guidelines that indicate reasons to keep your child home.

1. Take your child’s temperature. If the child’s temperature is 100 degrees or higher, he/she should remain at home.  Your child should be fever free without fever reducing medication (Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen) for 24 hours before returning to school.
2. If your child vomited or had diarrhea during the night or before school, he/she should remain at home.
3. It is recommended your child stay home from school if he/she has the following symptoms:

• Earache
• Discolored nasal secretions
• Productive or hacking cough
• Watery eyes
• Appears ill or has excessive fatigue

4. If your child is being treated for strep throat or conjunctivitis (pink eye), it is recommended that he/she be on medication for 24 hours prior to returning to school.

Please remember to send a parent/guardian or physician note into the school office when your child returns explaining the reason for his/her absence.  Failure to provide a note will result in an unexcused absence.

Please contact the school nurse with any questions or concerns regarding the above information.

Students entering kindergarten should have had a 12-month and 24-month Lead screening. 

Each public school student in kindergarten and in grades 2, 4, 7, and grades 9 or 10 will receive a vision and hearing screening by January 15^th of each school year. Screenings are also available upon parent and/or teacher request. 

Scoliosis screening is done for all students in 5^th, 6^th, 7^th, 8^th, and 9^th grades.

Delaware state law requires students entering 9^th grade to have a Tdap and Meningococcal Vaccine, as well as a new physical. 

The school nurse will send a referral letter to the parent/guardian if additional follow up is recommended.

Please contact the school nurse if you have any questions regarding the above screenings or if you receive a referral letter that you do not understand. If you do not have insurance to pay for a vision evaluation or a doctor's appointment, please contact your student's school nurse for assistance.