Student Life

Student Health

School Nurse: Suzanne H. Douglass, RN
Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Telephone: 301-983-5744

PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT TO READ THIS INSTRUCTION AND INFORMATION PAGE IN ITS ENTIRETY. The links to the required health forms for 2013-2014 and school policies are to the right. All forms may be downloaded for your convenience. If your child is a returning student, I do not need a copy of their immunization record.

ALL MEDICAL FORMS ARE DUE INTO THE HEALTH OFFICE NO LATER THAN FRIDAY, AUGUST 23, 2013 unless you are participating in pre-season athletics.

UPPER SCHOOL STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN PRE-SEASON ATHLETICS MUST TURN ALL HEALTH FORMS IN NO LATER THAN FRIDAY, AUGUST 9, 2013.

Until the appropriate forms are received, reviewed and approved by the school nurse, a student may not:

  • attend pre-season try-outs or practices,
  • participate in after-school sports or field trips (including Experiential Education the first week of school)

No exceptions will be made to this policy.

If your child has a physical exam scheduled after the submission due date of August 23, 2013, you must notify the school nurse, . Students participating in pre-season athletics may observe but not practice if the physical exam currently on file in the School Health Office is older than 13 months. Once an updated exam is received, they may participate in practices.

Summer is a very popular time of year for school physical exams. If you are having trouble scheduling an appointment with your child’s physician, many urgent care facilities such as CVS Minute Clinic (this is not an endorsement or recommendation) will do sports physicals. This type of physical exam is acceptable although I do recommend an annual physical exam with your child’s regular health care provider.

In all cases, please remember to have the provider complete and sign the Bullis physical exam form. If you turn in a physical exam on a  non-Bullis examination form, I will not be able to dispense any of the approved over-the-counter medications listed on the form should your child need them at any point during the school year.

In the event of a medical emergency, medical information is given to emergency personnel. It is important to include ALL health information and medications taken by the student, regardless of the time and place it is given, to enable the school nurse, athletic trainer, EMTs and hospital personnel to properly care for your child.Information will be shared on a “need to know” basis.

Maryland State Law and the Maryland Board of Nursing does not allow the School Nurse to administer any medications, whether prescription, over-the-counter (this includes eye drops) or homeopathic, to a student WITHOUT a Bullis School Medication Administration Authorization form.

If you bring a medication to school for your child because they forgot to take it at home, need something during the day, or to be kept on hand should your child forget to take a medication at home, and there is no Medication Administration Authorization form on file, the School Nurse or her designee WILL NOT be able to administer it to your child, you must do so.

As a reminder, with the exception of emergency medication (epinephrine, rescue inhalers, and glucagon), under no circumstances is a student allowed to carry medication, both prescription and non-prescription, while at school or at school sponsored events, including athletics and field trips. Any medication requiring administration during the school day must be kept in the School Health Office along with a Medication Administration Authorization form from the physician.

Please contact the School Health Office if your child is in the Upper School and will need a mid-day dose of ADD/ADHD medication.

Be sure your doctor signs and includes the examination date on the form.

Physical exams on file may not be older than 13 months at any given point during the school year. If you child’s physical exam will expire during the school year, an update reminder will be sent approximately two months in advance.

COPY ALL FORMS FOR YOUR RECORDS BEFORE SENDING TO THE SCHOOL. MAIL DOES GET LOST!

Please write School Nurse on your return envelope.

Health Forms and Information

 

Student Health Policy

All students enrolled at Bullis must have an annual physical exam. Exams on file in the School Health Office may not be older than 13 months at any given time during the school year for students to be able to participate in athletics, physical education, activities or field trips.

The Physician Examination Form, Emergency Health Care Plans (if applicable) and Immunization Certificate (for new students only) must be completed by a medical doctor. The Student Information Sheet (all students) — and Interscholastic Athletic Form (Middle and Upper School only) are to be completed by a parent/guardian. Copies of these forms are available on this website (by clicking on the form name above) and from the School Nurse in the Health Office. Students are expected to be in compliance with the Maryland immunization schedule. The school is required to exclude from school children who are out of compliance with the state immunization schedule. Copies of the Student Information sheet will be given to the Certified Athletic Trainer. Medical information pertinent to the safety and well-being of the student may be confidentially shared with the applicable teacher(s) and/or athletic coach.

If a student is injured or becomes ill during school hours, he/she must see the school nurse to be excused from classes or other school obligations. Students should not be using their cell phones to contact a parent about going home prior to seeing the nurse. The parent/guardian will be contacted by the school nurse, and if the situation warrants he/she will need to be taken home. Your child will be cared for until you arrive, but please remember that under such circumstances, the comfort of your child will be increased if you come as quickly as possible. If an ill or injured child warrants immediate action, the rescue squad at 911 will be called.

If your child wakes up not feeling well and/or with a fever, please keep him or her home. Not only is he/she not at his/her best to learn, but he/she might very well infect his/her peers and teachers. If your child has seen a doctor, please get instructions on when your doctor feels it is appropriate, based on the illness and treatment, to return to class. If your child is treated for a contagious condition such as strep throat, conjunctivitis (pink eye), infectious mononucleosis, head lice, etc., please let the School Nurse know as soon as possible. Click on the “Is Your Child Too Sick for School?” link on this page for more information. 

Bullis School Medication Policy

This policy has been established for the benefit or your child and others. Your cooperation and compliance is greatly appreciated.

With the exception of emergency medication (epinephrine, rescue inhalers, and glucagon), under no circumstances is a student allowed to carry medication, both prescription and non-prescription, while at school or at school sponsored events, including athletics and field trips. Any medication requiring administration during the school day must be kept in the School Health Office along with a Medication Administration Authorization form from the physician. This includes both prescription and over-the-counter medications not listed on the Bullis School Physician Examination form.

A Medication Administration Authorization form is not required for the emergency medications listed above. If applicable, these are authorized by the physician on your child’s physical exam form, page 2.

If your child will need a mid-day dose of ADD/ADHD medication, please contact the School Nurse for appropriate procedures for administration.

For more detailed information regarding the Bullis School: Medication Administration Policy

Communicable Disease and Illness Policy

Prior to the start of school, new students must submit a Maryland immunization certificate and a Bullis Physician Examination Form completed by their doctor. Students are expected to be in compliance with the Maryland immunization schedule. The school is required to exclude children from school who are out of compliance with the state immunization schedule.

The risk of transmitting blood borne pathogens, including Hepatitis B and C, HIV or AIDS is extremely low in school settings when standard precautions to prevent disease transmission are followed. Standard precautions dictate that all blood and body fluids be handled as though they are infectious.

The parent(s) or guardian(s) of a student with a communicable disease or infestation should notify the school as soon as they have knowledge of their child’s diagnosis. School guidelines for exclusion due to a communicable disease will follow recommendations from local, state and federal agencies that address communicable disease standards. The determination regarding the conditions under which a child may or may not attend school will be made on a case-by-case basis by the school nurse with advice from one or more of the following: the head of school, school administrators (as selected by the head of school), parent(s) or guardian(s), treating physician and public health officials. The number of school personnel informed of the student’s condition will be limited by the head of school to those essential in ensuring the proper care of the child and in protecting against transmission of the disease.

Is Your Child Too Sick for School?

As parents, the question is often asked, “Is my child too sick for school?” In addition to the School’s Communicable Disease Policy, here are a few guidelines to help you determine if your child is too sick for school. 

A runny nose is the way many respond to pollen, dust, chalk or simply a change of season. If it isn’t the common cold, then it is probably an allergy. Don’t stay home from school.

A bad cough or cold symptoms can indicate a severe cold, bronchitis, flu or even pneumonia. A run-of-the-mill cold should not be a reason to miss school. But if your child is not acting right, has a fever, difficulty breathing or is becoming dehydrated, it could be serious. Check with your doctor right away.

Diarrhea and vomiting make children very uncomfortable. If your child has repeated episodes of diarrhea and vomiting, accompanied by fever, rash or general weakness, consult a doctor and stay out of school until the illness passes.

Fever is an important symptom; when it occurs along with a sore throat, nausea, listlessness or a rash, your child could be carrying something very contagious. Most doctors advise parents to keep children home during the course of a fever and for an additional 24 hours after the fever has passed.

Strep throat and scarlet fever are two highly contagious conditions caused by a bacterial infection. They usually arrive with a sore throat and high fever. From 12 to 48 hours after the onset of scarlet fever, a rash will also appear. If you have either strep throat or scarlet fever you should stay home and be treated with antibiotics, as prescribed by a doctor. After 24 hours on an antibiotic, your child may return to school, with doctor permission.

If your child is treated for a contagious condition such as strep throat, conjunctivitis, infectious mononucleosis, head lice, etc., please inform the school nurse as soon as possible. Call also if you have any questions regarding the above information.

If your children wake up not feeling well and/or with a temperature, please keep them home. Not only are they not at their best to learn, but they might very well infect their peers and teachers. A good general rule is to have them return to school if there has been no fever in the preceding 24 hours. If your child has seen a doctor, please get instructions on when your doctor feels it is appropriate, based on the illness and treatment, to return to class. If your child is treated for a contagious condition such as strep throat, conjunctivitis, infectious mononucleosis, head lice, etc., please inform the school nurse as soon as possible.

 

Condition When the child may return to school:
Any physical condition that prevents a child from fully participating in an educational environment. When they are again able to fully participate in an educational environment.
Asthma that CANNOT be controlled with an inhaler After being seen by a physician and with a physician’s note stating what protocol should be followed at school for this condition.
Chicken pox After all lesions have dried over or 7 days after the onset of the rash.
Common Cold To be excluded from school only if temperature is above 100 degrees F or you feel your child cannot fully participate in an educational environment.
Conjunctivitis (infectious) After the eye(s) are without discharge or the child is on antibiotic for a minimum of 24 hours.
Cough (persistent) When the cough no longer interferes with school related activities or interferes with the learning process.
Diarrhea: 2 or more loose stools in the past 12 hours, OR Any loose stool with blood or mucus 24 hours after stools return to normal.
Ear infections After the child is without pain (no medication being necessary to control pain) and the child has been fever free for a minimum of 24 hours.
Fever After being fever free for a minimum of 24 hours (temperature less than 100 degrees F) WITHOUT medication to control the fever.
Fifth’s Disease No exclusion necessary unless temperature is above 101 degrees F.
Hepatitis A One week after onset of illness or jaundice and a physician’s note submitted to the Health Office stating the student is permitted to attend school.
Impetigo After 24 hours of antibiotic treatment. The infected area must be covered while at school.
Lice After all live lice AND nits are removed from the hair
Measles With a physician’s note submitted to the Health Office stating the student is permitted to attend school.
Mononucleosis When a physician advises a return to school.
Mouth sores (with drooling) After drooling has stopped and the child is pain free.
Mumps At least 9 days after onset of parotid gland swelling and a physician’s note submitted to the Health Office stating the student is permitted to attend school.
Pertussis After 5 consecutive days of antibiotic treatment and the child is fever free (less than 100 degrees F).
Rash (unknown origin) After the rash is gone or a note from the physician is submitted to the Health Office stating the student is not contagious and is permitted to attend school.
Ringworm After antifungal treatment has been started and the student can keep from touching or scratching the area.The area must be covered at all times while in school.
Scabies After treatment course is completed and a physician’s note submitted to the Health Office stating the student is permitted to attend school.
Scarlet fever After 24 hours of antibiotic treatment has been completed and a physician’s note submitted to the Health Office stating the student is permitted to attend school.
Strep throat After 24 hours of antibiotic treatment has been completed.
Tuberculosis After a note from the physician is submitted to the Health Office stating the student is no longer contagious and is permitted to attend school.
Vomiting (2 or more times in 24 hours) 24 hours after the last episode of vomiting.

 

Bullis School’s Health Office is located in South Hall on the first floor. There is one registered nurse for the school. The Health Office is open from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m Monday through Friday while school is in session. In an effort to enhance student learning, the School Nurse strives to increase student attendance and reduce early dismissals by alleviating minor health complaints that interfere with the student performance. Parents are reminded that the Health Office is meant to handle first aid and emergencies and to provide care for students who become ill during the course of the day. Bullis has eight AEDs on campus for emergencies.

If a student is injured or becomes ill during school hours, he/she must see the school nurse to be excused from classes or other school obligations.