Changes in Nursing Office Procedures for the 2020-2021 School Year Due to COVID-19
Changes in the school nurse's office for the 2020-2021 school year due to the COVID-19 pandemic are outlined in this content. It includes information on preventing the spread of COVID-19, the importance of safety measures, and updates on student health protocols. The content emphasizes the need for vigilance, preparation, and adherence to guidelines to ensure a safe learning environment. The role of the school nurse has evolved significantly, requiring adjustments and understanding from all parties involved.
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COVID-19 & Changes in the Nurse s Office Gallaher 2020-2021 School Year
First things first Please review the COVID-19 What We Can Do to Prevent the Spread PowerPoint FIRST for key information and resources. Goals for this presentation: Explain why things are changing Share specific changes that we know of at this time Discuss how to prepare students for a safe return to school Review requirements and recommendations The focus is on SAFETY and LIMITING THE SPREAD of COVID-19. PLEASE do not send your child to school if they feel sick. Use the Student Home Health Screening Tool every day.
First things first Since COVID-19 is a new disease, information will continue to change and be updated. Practices and processes can change with the goal of doing all we can to limit the spread of COVID-19. Please contact me with questions and concerns Mariadora.Weeks@Christina.k12.de.us . COVID-19: symptoms, return to school, when to call the doctor, contact tracing etc. Health Needs: student illness, procedure, surgery or ER visit, required health documentation and vaccinations, student needing scheduled, as-needed, or emergency medications at school, physicians and dentists in area, vision/hearing concerns, etc. Needed Resources: food, school supplies, recently displaced from home, etc. The role of the School Nurse has changed significantly. We are all adjusting. Your patience and understanding are appreciated during this challenging time.
Why are things changing? COVID-19 is an infectious disease that spreads through the air and from contaminated surfaces. Limiting the spread of COVID-19 in our school and community is critical for us to stay open for face-to-face learning at Gallaher. The State of Delaware and the Delaware Department of Education (DDOE) and have outlined requirements for schools based on CDC and Delaware Public Health (DPH) guidelines. The Christina School District (CSD) has created a Reopening Plan based on the above requirements. Please open link HERE to view the reopening information. Changes are required to the physical Nurse s Office and processes.
Things managed by the Nurse EMERGENCIES Situations that poses an immediate risk to health and life. Requires immediate intervention. Examples: Food allergy reaction, Severe asthma, diabetic hypoglycemia, unconscious, broken bone, Seizure. All Staff are Trained in Emergency Procedures at the start of each year. URGENT Illnesses or injuries, though not immediately life-threatening, could result in serious injury, disability or emergency unless medical attention is received. Examples: Hard head bump, insect sting, asthma symptoms. All staff are aware to contact the nurse immediately. ROUTINE Non-urgent/Non Emergency problems not improved after Basic First Aid/Activities in the classroom. Staff will contact nurse to arrange visit.
What will be handled first in the classroom? Routine and non-nursing tasks that were often already managed in the classroom. Teachers have information on what to do in the following situations and when students need to see the nurse. Minor cuts and scrapes Bug bites & dry, itchy skin Lost/loose teeth, chapped lips Changing clothes due to bathroom accidents, spills, wet/muddy clothes from recess Minor bloody noses New minor headaches, stomachaches, and sore throats Routine bathroom use Waiting for missed-at-home medication
Getting from the classroom to the Nurse s Office Teachers will call before sending a student to the Nurse s Office and provide quick overview of issue. Limits on how many students can be in the nurse s office at a time for safety, infection control and social distancing requirements. Students might need to wait a few minutes in the classroom. This is the safest place for them. If the student cannot immediately come to the nurse, the teacher will be notified when they can send the student and are aware to call back if the situation changes. All students will be sent (and return to class) with a pass. If the nurse anticipates in advance that the student will be going home, students will be instructed to bring belongings with them Students are to come right to the Nurse s Office, no visiting other places please
Arriving at the Nurses Office Students will wait at the door and the nurse will show them where to sit/wait based on the reason for the visit. Students will need to wash or sanitize hands. The nurse will look different! We are now wearing scrubs along with masks, face shields, and protective eye wear. The nurse might be wearing a gown and gloves depending on what is happening. The office will look different! You will only see things we really need so the nurse can clean the office and bathroom quickly as each student leaves. Custodians will do a really good cleaning at the end of every day. There is a machine running in the nurse s office all the time to keep our air clean, called a HEPA filter.
While at the Nurses Office It is really important that everyone follows directions and stays in their spot. The nurse will get you what you need, like water, tissues etc. The couch rooms are different! One is just for students who have symptoms that could be COVID-19 or another infectious condition. This is the Going Home Room . There is a plastic curtain so I can see in and students can see out but germs stay in. The HEPA filter will be moved to this room to clean the air. Students in this room will be given a surgical mask to wear. The other couch room is for sick or injured students and also has a curtain that is see through. Students coming for scheduled meds will wait at the door or in the small room right inside the office. The nurse will bring them water and medicine. Students must keep their masks on and remember to social distance when in the Nurse s Office.
Returning to Class Students who are ok to return to class will wash or sanitize their hands before leaving the Nurse s Office. Students will return directly to class no stops or visits to other areas. Please return the Nurse Pass to the teacher.
Students Going Home Parents/guardians will be notified as soon as possible that their child needs to go home. We are asking that students be picked up within an hour of the call. If the student did not bring their belongings, the nurse will request they be sent up. The teacher will put belongings in a bag and send them up with a student who will leave them outside the Nurse s Office. The Nurse will give the belongings to the student. Parents will not be coming into the Main Office or Nurse s Office when picking up students. Parents will sign their child out using the Ident-a-Kid system in the vestibule and then buzz the Main Office to let them know the name of the student being picked up from the Nurse s Office. The Administrative Assistant will notify the Nurse. If the Nurse has any additional information for parents, she will either call them before sending the child out or send the child with a note.
Students Going Home Students will not be walking through the Main Office. The Nurse will watch students walk to the Main Hallway Exit Doors to exit the building. Parents please review the paperwork that your student was given from the Nurse and call if any questions. Please note any recommendations regarding follow up with your child s health care provider and when your child can return to school. Please do not send your child back to school until they are cleared to return. This creates a safety issue for our school community. They will be sent back home. If COVID-19 is suspected or confirmed, the nurse and public health will be calling parents. Please make sure to check voice mail and email routinely. If you have any concerns while your child is home, please call your child s health care provider then update the school nurse.
Communication It is very important that we can reach someone to pick up a child who is sick. Updates to contact info should be provided ASAP. Updated Emergency Cards are critical and should be completed immediately. Include phone numbers, emails, and names of additional contacts on the Emergency Card. Parents should sign up for Dojo if available. If no one can be reached, teachers will be asked to communicate with parents to call the Nurse ASAP. They are not permitted to provide any health information. Notify the Nurse if anyone in your household tests positive for COVID-19 or is asked to quarantine by DPH. Be sure to sign up for CSD notifications including Parent Link. Important information will be provided throughout the school year. Check the Gallaher and CSD websites regularly for important information including resources.
Teamwork! We have an amazing Gallaher Family! We are all dealing with a lot of changes and challenges as a result of the pandemic and it is stressful. EVERYONE is working hard to make this the best experience possible for our kids parents, teachers, staff, and administration and I am grateful to all of you. There are rules/process that need to be followed that are out of our control. TOGETHER with patience and kindness we will get through this! If you have a question, please ask. If I do not know the answer, I will do my best to find someone who does. Stay safe & healthy. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR HELP!
