District Nurse- Nancy Alderdyce RN - nalderdyce@marion.k12.ia.us 

Telephone:  319-377-4698

Starry Nurse-Amy Balk RN- abalk@marion.k12.ia.us 

Telephone:  319-377-4698

From the School Nurse

Dear Parent or Guardian:

As your child’s school nurse, I want to welcome your child back to school for what promises to be a productive and exciting new school year. I also want to make you aware of a “pesky” situation that impacts schools around the country, often as the school year begins.

Pediculosis, or head lice, is a condition that each year affects approximately 6 to 12 million children between the ages of 3 and 12 years of age, and about 1 in every 100 elementary school children. Head lice are parasites that are generally found on the scalp, around the ears, and at the back of the neck. The adult louse is about the size of a sesame seed, and can be the color of your child’s hair. Eggs, or nits, are smaller and silver in color.

Head lice are not a sign of poor hygiene and they do not transmit disease. Spread from one child to another can occur during direct head to head contact or by sharing of personal items such as combs, brushes, caps or helmets.

The most common symptom of head lice is itching and head scratching, particularly at night. Red bite marks or sores may also be noticed on the scalp. If you suspect that your child has head lice, he or she should be examined by your health care provider. Safe and effective products to treat head lice are available both over the counter and by doctor’s prescription. It is important to follow the directions carefully. In addition, use a fine-tooth comb or special nit comb to help remove the eggs (nits) from the hair. You can also check your child’s scalp weekly when the hair is wet to see if there are any new head lice. Parents should also wash in hot water or dry-clean all recently worn clothing, hats, used bedding, and towels. Personal care items such as combs, brushes and hair clips should also be washed in hot water. Toys, such as stuffed animals, can be put into a tightly closed plastic bag for 14 days or placed in a hot dryer for 30 minutes to kill the lice.

My goal as school nurse is to provide you with the information you need to safeguard your child’s health, and ensure that his or her education is not disrupted, but remains the most positive experience possible. I hope you find this information useful, and I send best wishes to your child for a rewarding school year. 

For a healthy school,

School Nurse

 

Health Services

Illness At School: If your child should become ill at school, we will make every effort to notify the parent/guardian. In the event that this is not possible, one of the emergency numbers will be called. We ask that you make arrangements to have your child picked up from school within one hour from notification.
If your child's illness is accompanied by a fever, vomiting, or diarrhea, your child should remain home until he/she is fever-free or episode-free for 24 hours.  A fever is considered 100 or above. This is for your child's protection and to help keep the spread of illness down in our classrooms.

Throughout the school year, parents/guardians may request their child stay inside due to illness, injury, allergies, etc. Students are encouraged to play, exercise, and get fresh air. We will respect a parent request for their child to stay indoors for a maximum of two days. Any requests beyond two days need a physician’s statement. All students will participate in the physical education program unless excused by a physician.

Medication Administration
A signed permission slip must accompany the medication in order for it to be administered. The medication must be sent in the original container with the students name, name of medication, time of day to be given, dosage and  physician's name.   
Unless indicated by your physician, medication to be given three times a day should be given at home before school, after school, and at bedtime. An exception to this is medication to be taken with meals or on a full stomach. 

 If you have any questions concerning this medication policy, please contact the health office. 

Health Forms

Medication Authorization

Authorization for behavior checklists

Authorization to self administer asthma medication

 Health Consent Form

Kindergarten Physical Form Only for Kindergarten (if you didn't turn it in at round-up)

Kindergarten InformationOnly for Kindergarten (if you didn't turn it in at round-up)

Immunization certificate Only for Kindergarten (if you didn't turn it in at round-up)

Certificate of Dental Screening  Only for Kindergarten (if you didn't turn it in at round-up) and new students from another state

http://www.marion.k12.ia.us/Sites/MHS/Student_Health/Head%20Lice.pdf   Head lice information