WELCOME to the HIGH BRIDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL Health Office!

 Please feel free to call the HBMS School Nurse   

with any questions about your child's care while in school:  

Mrs. L. Gresko, RN, CSN 908.638.4101 x4118  

Hours: 8:20-3:40 M-F

Email:greskol@hbschools.org

Fax:908-638-4211 

 

During the next few weeks of January, the nurse will be conducting vision and hearing screenings for 7th graders.  Eighth and sixth graders will be screened during 3rd marking period.  Parents will receive results of these screenings from the nurse by request or if there is a problem that requires attention.

Note: Any medicine that is administered at school is done so that the child may attend school.  It must be handed to the nurse directly from the parent along with a doctor's order or I cannot give it.  Medication should be in its original container and box from the pharmacy. There are no exceptions.  Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.

MEDICINES: Students are not to carry any medication on their person or store in their locker. Asthma inhalers and epi pens (after a doctor's order is received by the nurse) are the only exceptions where a student may carry their medications.

See also: my Useful Links page for up to date links on timely issues about the health of children and your family.

Other news: For up-to-the-minute information about local health issues, use this link for the Hunterdon County Health Department: http://www.co.hunterdon.nj.us/health.htm  

A few  notes:

→New: I will begin health screenings at the middle school at the end of this month. Parents will receive a referral letter if there seems to be a vision or hearing problem.  The screenings continue throughout the year and include height, weight, and blood pressure screenings for all.  Sixth and eight graders receive vision screening, while the seventh graders receive audiometry and scoliosis screening.  A permission letter has been sent home for scoliosis screening and is also on the Health Office Documents page to download and print out.

To review or print health documents, or to find out about sports physical requirements, click on the menu "Nurse - Middle School" on the left, and choose from the menu. (New Sports Physicals parts A & B are posted. Parents fill out all of Form A & student information on B, then BOTH forms must be seen by the physician, signed and stamped, and BOTH forms are handed in to school nurse at the same time.  This can be a confusing and tedious process.  Please call with any questions.  I will be happy to answer questions.  Thank you.

For your convenience, Sports Physical forms are also posted here, see below. 


When to Keep Your Child Home:

----VERY IMPORTANT NOTE ----

  In order for children to return to school after a temperature of >100 degrees, they must be fever-free for 24hours, without having taken any fever-reducing medication. 

Many parents are concerned about when to keep children at home.  The following is intended to help parents with this decision.

Y our child should stay home from school if he/she has:

  • Fever of 100 degrees or above in the last 24 hours.
  • Recent vomiting or diarrhea.
  • Persistent cough.
  • Productive cough and sneezing.
  • Severe sore throat, stomach ache and headache. (need to rule out strep)
  • Severe headache, body aches or earache.
  • Rash of unknown cause.
  • Open or draining skin sores.
  • Irritation in one or both eyes, with crustiness, itchiness or drainage.
  • Itchiness of the scalp, with tiny eggs or insects in his/her hair.
  • Symptoms that would prevent him or her from participating, such as excessive fatigue or lack of appetite.
  • Sympoms of the flu:

 

SymptomColdFlu
FeverFever is rare with a cold.Fever is usually present with the flu in up to 80% of all flu cases. A temperature of 100°F or higher for 3 to 4 days is associated with the flu.
CoughingA hacking, productive (mucus- producing) cough is often present with a cold.A non-productive (non-mucus producing) cough is usually present with the flu (sometimes referred to as dry cough).
AchesSlight body aches and pains can be part of a cold.Severe aches and pains are common with the flu.
Stuffy NoseStuffy nose is commonly present with a cold and typically resolves spontaneously within a week.Stuffy nose is not commonly present with the flu.
ChillsChills are uncommon with a cold.60% of people who have the flu experience chills.
TirednessTiredness is fairly mild with a cold.Tiredness is moderate to severe with the flu.
SneezingSneezing is commonly present with a cold.Sneezing is not common with the flu.
Sudden SymptomsCold symptoms tend to develop over a few days.The flu has a rapid onset within 3-6 hours. The flu hits hard and includes sudden symptoms like high fever, aches and pains.
HeadacheA headache is fairly uncommon with a cold.A headache is very common with the flu, present in 80% of flu cases.
Sore ThroatSore throat is commonly present with a cold.Sore throat is not commonly present with the flu.
Chest DiscomfortChest discomfort is mild to moderate with a cold.Chest discomfort is often severe with the flu.

In addition, with the flu, stomach ache may be present, and in some children, vomiting and diarrhea.


 

Free or low-cost health insurance is available for New Jersey children. For help or information,go to:  www.njfamilycare.org or call 1-800-701-0710

Need help paying for check ups and vaccinations?  Check out the Highlands Health Van's web page.  You can call them for their latest calendar.  They currently serve residents of Sussex, Warren, and Hunterdon Counties.  Go to: http://echildcareservices.com/beta_site_016.htm