Health Office
- General Information from your PTHS School Nurse
- COVID-19 Public Health
- Norovirus
- Sports Physicals
- Vaccination Against Flu
- Head Lice
- How To Prepare for a Winter Storm
- Screening/Scoliosis
- Tick-Borne Illness Prevention Information
- Lead Poisoning
- Sports-Related Eye Injuries
- HPV Vaccination
- Health Newsletters
- Synthetic Drugs: Overdose Awareness
- Flu or Cold?
- Emergency Naloxone (Narcan) Administration
- Sports-Related Concussions
- E-Cigarettes: Questions and Answers
- Immunization Requirements For School Attendance in NJ
General Information from your PTHS School Nurse
Mrs. Olga Avagyan, School Nurse
Pequannock Township High School
olga.avagyan@pequannock.org
Phone: 973-616-6000 ext. 2023
Fax: 862-446-0001
I would like to welcome all students and their parents as we are starting a new school year. To ensure your child’s health and safety I would like to share a few items with you.
HEALTH CONCERNS: Please inform your school nurse of any severe allergies, surgeries, accidents or new health problems that occurred during the summer.
MEDICATIONS: Students are not allowed to carry PRESCRIPTION OR OVER THE COUNTER MEDICATIONS in school.
If a child, by order of a physician must receive medications in school, Medication Permission Form must be completed and signed by both a physician and a parent/guardian. Therefore, a prescription label IS NOT acceptable in lieu of an MD’s order. A written order must be obtained. Medication Permission Form along with the prescribed medication in its original container must be brought to school by an adult. All medication MUST be administered in the nurses’ office. Parents/guardians may administer medication to their child at any time during school if needed. All medication is to be picked up at the end of school year by an adult.
SELF-ADMINISTRATION OF INHALER/EPIPEN: NJ state law allows students to carry medications and self-medicate only for life-threatening conditions, i.e. asthma, insect sting and food allergies. Permission to self-medicate must be updated annually by the parent and the physician. The Asthma Treatment Plan form must be updated each school year.
CRUTCHES, CASTS, SPLINTS AND OTHER ORTHOPEDIC DEVICES: If your child requires one of these devices, we must have documentation from your physician about activity restrictions and permission to use crutches, PE excuses and any other necessary information. Students using crutches must be seen by a physician and cleared to return to be in school. Students who require crutches may not be able to ride the bus due to safety concerns.
ILLNESS/ABSENCES: Please contact the school office in the morning if your child is to be absent and inform us why he/she will not be attending. If your child has been ill, he/she should be free of fever for 24 hours without administering fever reducing medication before returning to school.
FLU FACTS/INFORMATION: The flu is a highly contagious viral infection of the respiratory tract. Although the flu affects everyone, children tend to get it more often than adults. The season for the flu is usually from October to April with most cases occurring between late December and early March. The flu is often confused with the common cold, but flu symptoms tend to develop quickly (usually 1 to 4 days after a person is exposed to the flu virus) and are usually more severe than the typical sneezing and stuffiness of a cold. Symptoms of the flu may include:
- Fever
- Chills
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Dizziness
- Loss of appetite
- Tiredness
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Weakness
- Ear infection
- Diarrhea
Symptoms can last for a week or two. The flu is very contagious. It is spread by coughing or sneezing into the air. People who are infected with the flu are contagious as long as they show symptoms (most of the time that means about a week for adults, but for children it can mean up to two weeks).
Ways To Prevent The flu:
To have the flu shot if your pediatrician suggests it.
Wash your hands thorough and frequently.
Never pick up used tissues.
Never share cups and eating utensils.
Cover your mouth and nose with your sleeve or a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
Stay home from work or school when you’re sick with the flu.
REASONS FOR KEEPING YOUR CHILD HOME FROM SCHOOL:
- Fever of 100.4 degrees or higher. Your child must be fever free for 24 hours without fever reducing medication before returning to school.
- Persistent coughing that could be disruptive in class.
- Vomiting and diarrhea within the past 24 hours.
- Runny nose if nasal discharge is excessive and/or not clear.
- Unexplained rashes, sores and crusty inflamed eyes. Please alert the school nurse or attendance officer if your child is diagnosed with communicable disease such as strep throat, pink eye, head lice, impetigo, ringworm, etc.
It is our hope that we have a successful, healthy and safe school year at the Pequannock Township High School.
Files:
COVID-19 Public Health
- Daily Health Checklist for Students
- If you got sick with COVID-19
- Travel during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Upon return, you must quarantine for 14 days and test for COVID-19 (PCR test is required).
Norovirus
Norovirus is a very contagious virus that causes vomiting and diarrhea. Anyone can get infected and sick with norovirus. Norovirus is sometimes called the “stomach flu” or “stomach bug”. However, norovirus illness is not related to the flu, which is caused by influenza virus. Click here to watch a video describing norovirus symptoms, how the virus spreads, and how to prevent norovirus.
Sports Physicals
Mandated Paperwork for Athletic Participation:
According to the New Jersey State Department of Education, in order for a student to participate in sport a medical examination by a licensed health care provider (physician, APN or PA) must be done within 365 days of the first day of practice.
Online registration is mandatory for all athletes. All forms must be submitted electronically (see exclusions below). Please follow this link.
Preparticipation Physical Evaluation Medical Eligibility Form and Pequannock Township Public Schools Health Office Physical Examination form and all Treatment Plans (Asthma or Allergy) must be submitted as a hard copy to the school nurse.
History Form (hard copy) - must be filled out and signed by a parent and athlete, prior to the physical exam.
Athlete Supplemental History Form (hard copy) - must be filled out prior to the exam and signed by parent and athlete (check the “no” column if the health issues don’t apply).
Physical Examination and Medical Eligibility Form (hard copy) - will be completed by the examining health care provider after he/she has reviewed the History Form and has completed the physical exam.
Peyton's Law -- please see if it is applicable for you to have an EKG done at your doctor's office in order to prevent SCA (Sudden Cardiac Arrest).
Please be aware that these required forms must be received, reviewed, and processed by the school nurse and signed by the school doctor before the athlete can try out or practice. If any of the forms are incomplete or turned in after the deadline, the student’s clearance for sports participation will be delayed. The safety of our athletes is our most important consideration. No athlete will be allowed to participate in Pequannock Twp. School District sports if the school procedures and the State guidelines are not followed.
Files:
Vaccination Against Flu
Head Lice
The head louse is a small, wingless parasitic insect that lives among human hairs and feeds on blood drawn from the scalp. Lice are a very common problem, especially for kids. They're contagious, annoying, and sometimes tough to get rid of.
But while they're frustrating to deal with, lice aren't dangerous. They don't spread disease, although their bites can make a child's scalp itchy and irritated, and scratching can lead to infection.
Please refer to the following links to get more information. In order to discuss individual cases, please contact your school nurse.
Click on the picture below to enlarge it.
Files:
How To Prepare for a Winter Storm
Screening/Scoliosis
Dear Parent(s)/Guardian(s):
There will be a screening program for scoliosis for students in grades 9 and 11.
Scoliosis is a condition of the spine in which the spine may curve to the left or right. It is most
commonly found during the time of rapid growth, and may progress if not treated.
The purpose of the screening program is to recognize scoliosis in its earliest stages.
A student may be exempt from this examination if requested by the parent/guardian in writing.
Please fill the form if you wish your child to be exempted from this screening.
Files:
Tick-Borne Illness Prevention Information
*New Jersey has one of the highest rates of Lyme Disease (tick-borne illnesses).
*All ticks can transmit Lyme Disease (not necessarily limited to deer ticks).
*Increased incidence of Lyme Disease is partially attributed to the population explosion in the rural areas.
*Keep wood and brush away from your house. Stone walls attract small rodents which
can also carry ticks. Bird feeders also increase the incidence of ticks.
*Avoid pets on furniture and sleeping with kids. Ticks can travel from your furry animal
onto the skin of your family.
*Avoid tick infested areas and sitting directly on the ground. Use EPA approved
repellents.
*Frequent tick checks are probably your best protection from tick-borne illnesses.
Removing ticks before they adhere to the skin, prevents the transmission of
infection.
*Remember to protect (repellent) and check pets too!
*Teach children to seek adult help for tick removal.
*Squeezing the body of the tick can actually increase the chance of transmitting
infectious material into the person who is bit by the tick.
*Improper removal can increase the chances of infectious transmission of tick fluids and
thus developing Lyme Disease and related tick-borne illnesses. Never put substances
on the tick such as soap or other substances.
*Use a fine point tweezer and grasp tick mouth parts (place of attachment—as close to the skin as possible). Remove the tick with a steady pull away from the skin. Use a steady pressure and gently pull the tick straight out. Never squeeze, twist, or yank the body of a tick. Never put substances or fluids on the tick.
*If you save the tick for testing, place it in a sealed plastic bag with a moistened (water)
cotton ball. If a tick is positive, a course of antibiotics is indicated---see the doctor.
*Tick testing labs include:
1. IgeneX Labs, Palo Alto, CA (800) 832-3200
2. MDL, Mt. Laurel, NJ (877) 269-0090
3. NJ Labs, New Brunswick, NJ (732) 249-0148
*Some Lyme literate specialists feel that testing ticks may not always be 100% accurate.
*Disinfect tweezers.
*Wash hands thoroughly.
*If discarding tick, wrap in toilet tissue and flush into toilet.
*Don’t touch tick with bare hands.
*Clean area of the tick bite with an antiseptic and apply antibiotic ointment.
*Contact your doctor.
*Mark your calendar on the day of the tick removal.
*Be alert that some reports and researchers state that less than 40% of people develop
a rash (bulls-eye) after a tick bite.
*Many rashes that do develop after exposure to infectious tick bites may not present as
the “classical bulls-eye” rash. You may see a solid red rash – possibly 3” diameter or
larger, and may be smaller, too. Consult your medical professional as needed.
*Some people with dark skin may have a “bruise-like” appearance when developing a
rash.
*New research supports 6 weeks of antibiotic therapy for Lyme Disease. Other tick-
borne illnesses may also be transmitted from one tick bite. They include ehrlichiosis,
bartonella, and babesiosis. Ask your doctor about these other diseases. They
should be assessed and treated promptly.
*Taking advantage of the “window of opportunity” for treatment of Lyme Disease can mean
the difference between wellness and illness and the avoidance of an unknown course of
chronic illness.
*It may be advisable to treat tick bites when there is:
1. a large rash or bulls-eye rash
2. an engorged tick upon removal
3. tick bite in an endemic area with high incidence of lyme and tick-borne illness
4. history of immune-suppressed state of health
If fever or flu-like illness develops within 4 weeks after a known tick bite, consider treatment for Lyme Disease! Flu-like symptoms include fatigue, malaise, achy, fever, headache,
swollen glands or joints, and chills.
Other tick-borne diseases are Babesia, Anaplasmosis, Ehrlichia, and Bartonella. Ask your doctor to check for these other infections that may be transmitted along with Lyme.
Log onto www.lymediseaseassociation.org for more information and other websites.
This information was kindly provided by colleague Nancy Braithwaite, RN.
Files:
Lead Poisoning
Sports-Related Eye Injuries
Participating in sports and recreational activities is an important part of a healthy, physically active lifestyle for children. But, children are at particular risk for sustaining a sports-related
eye injury and most of these injuries can be prevented. Please refer to the link provided below for more information.
HPV Vaccination
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a very common virus that spreads between people when they have sexual contact with another person. About 14 million people, including teens, become infected with
HPV each year. HPV infection can cause cervical, vaginal, and vulvar cancers in women and penile cancer in men. HPV can also cause anal cancer, throat cancer, and genital
warts in both men and women.
Please read the attached information below.
Health Newsletters
Synthetic Drugs: Overdose Awareness
Flu or Cold?
Emergency Naloxone (Narcan) Administration
Naloxone (Narcan) is a medication used to block the effects of opioids in a case of overdose.
If Certified School Nurse or any other trained school personnel believes, in good faith, that the person is experiencing an opioid overdose, Narcan Nasal Spray may be administered.
Naloxone has little to no effect if opioids are not present. In people with opioids in their system, it may cause increased sweating, nausea, restlessness, trembling, vomiting, flushing, and headache, and has in rare cases been associated with heart rhythm changes, seizures and pulmonary edema. Any person can develop an allergic reaction to the medication.
Please refer to the Pequannock BOE policy number 5330_04 Administering an Opioid Antidote.
Check https://www.narcan.com/ and https://www.drugs.com/pro/narcan.html for more information as well as the attached documents.
Files:
Sports-Related Concussions
A concussion is a brain injury and all brain injuries are serious. They are caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head, or by a blow to another part of the body with the force transmitted to the head. They can range from mild to severe and can disrupt the way the brain normally works.
Even though most concussions are mild, all concussions are potentially serious and may result in complications including prolong brain damage and death if not recognized and managed properly.
Please refer to the attached fact sheet for more information.
- Ace Care Plan
- Concussion Fact Sheet
- Concussion Protocol
E-Cigarettes: Questions and Answers
Immunization Requirements For School Attendance in NJ
The State of New Jersey requires the following immunization rules for children entering or attending grades 9-12.
1. Four doses of Diphtheria, Pertussis, and Tetanus vaccine.
2. A minimum of three doses of Polio.
3. Two doses of Measles, Mumps, and Rubella vaccine must have been given on or after
the first birthday.
4. Hepatitis B series.
5. One dose of Menactra and Varicella for students born on or after January 1, 1997.