Nurse

Sparks Elementary has a full time nurse in the building. She provides first aid to sick and injured children and staff, serves as a resource person, provides health screening and implements health related laws.
The health and well being of your child are primary concerns while your child is in school.

In order to ensure and maintain his/her good health and safety, please take a few minutes to review the following guidelines:

We attempt to discourage administration of medication in the schools: however, if your physician decides it is necessary for your child to receive a medication during the school day, the approval and specific directions must be provided to the school by the physician. Parents must bring the medication to the school in the original box or bottle with the current prescription label on the container. All medications (even over the counter medications) require a written physician’s order. Students are not to have medications in their possession or in their locker at any time.

Please keep all home, work, and emergency phone numbers at school up-to-date. When children become suddenly ill or injured at school, it is essential that we have current phone numbers.

Please keep the nurse informed of significant changes in your child’s health. For example: changes in diet, daily medication, new allergies, and changes in physical restrictions, vision and/or hearing impairment.

By communicating your child’s special health and safety needs to us, we can facilitate a safer and healthier school year.

Consent for the Administration of Approved Discretionary Medications

Baltimore County Public Schools have a program that allows for the School Nurse to administer discretionary medications in accordance with established protocols. These medications are Tylenol, Benadryl, Tums, Cough Drops. These discretionary medications are intended for occasional use only. This service is available to alleviate your child's minor discomforts and avoid early dismissals when possible. YOUR CONSENT MUST BE OBTAINED BEFORE ANY MEDICATION CAN BE GIVEN TO YOUR CHILD. THE PARENTAL PERMISSION MUST BE RENEWED EACH YEAR.

           The following guidelines are available to help parents make decisions as to whether a child should be sent to school. A responsible decision on the part of the parent will reduce the number of ill students at school and prevent the spread of germs. Also, frequent hand washing is a primary way to prevent the spread of these germs.

WHEN NOT TO SEND YOUR CHILD TO SCHOOL

Vomiting more than once in the previous 24 hours.
Uncontrolled diarrhea.
Fever above 100 degrees need to be fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication before returning to school.
Pinkeye with white or yellow discharge need to be on medication for 24 hours.
Strep infections until 24 hours after treatment notify the school if your child does have strep.
Uncontrolled coughing if your child has an asthma attack during the night or before school and is still experiencing wheezing or coughing. If s/he is asymptomatic and has medication in school, call the school nurse and she will monitor the student during the day.
Extreme fatigue with no appetite accompanied by behavior change.
What if my child has a cold or sore throat?
Take your child's temperature if no fever, send the child to school. (The Centers for Disease Control recommend a throat culture for any sore throat lasting three days or more)
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Should I send my child if we get up late?
Yes, being late is better than being absent.

 Some ways to ensure a good start to a school day:

Be sure your child has a regular bedtime (before 9:00 PM on school nights and earlier for younger students).
Have your child decide what to wear the night before and lay the clothes out.
Breakfast is a must many children come to school without breakfast and are fatigued by mid morning
Immunization Policy

 All students attending a public school in Maryland are required by law to have their immunizations up-to-date. Included as an addendum in this handbook is a current immunization profile from the Baltimore County Department of Health.
Fluoride Policy

The Baltimore County Public Schools, in collaboration with the Baltimore County Department of Health, provide a fluoride mouth rinse program to help prevent tooth decay. It is offered to our students whose source of home drinking water is an underground well. In our school, the program is administered weekly under the direction of the school nurse. This program begins in First grade through Fifth Grade. Parental consent is required for your child to participate in this program. This consent is obtained at the time of enrollment, and will remain in effect unless written notification is sent to the school nurse.