West New York School District

Health Office

In October 1902 in New York City - a Nurse was sent to a school because so many children were absent from school and parents (mostly immigrant parents) could not afford a doctor. This experiment was a success and the professional School Nurse was born. Today, the purpose of a school nurse is still to care for your children, optimize student health, safety and learning. West New York is a very diverse district, our School Nurses use ethical and evidence-based practice to facilitate optimal development for all our students.

Here you will find relevant information to health questions, such as Health Care forms for Asthma, Food Allergies, Seizures and other health issues. Get information on required vaccinations, physicals, screenings, and more.

Timely notices about Health Emergencies in our community will be posted here (as indicated by the NJ Health Department).

Don’t hesitate to contact your child’s Nurse if you have any questions or concerns.

We are here for you!

West New York District School Nurses

West New York School Nurses:

Health Forms:

All Individual Healthcare Forms (Asthma, Seizure, Food Allergy, Diabetes, Individual Health Care Form) must be renewed annually. Healthcare forms must be filled out by your child’s physician. Return the Healthcare Form,  the “Parent Authorization for Medication/Treatment”, required medication, and all the additional supplies that are needed for your child’s health condition. Remember to bring the medication in the original container with the pharmacy label (showing your child’s name) still attached to the Nurse’s Office.

Prior to participation on a school-sponsored interscholastic or intramural athletic team or squad, each student-athlete in grades six through 12 must present a completed Preparticipation Physical Evaluation (PPE) form to the designated school staff member. Please make sure the physical form is stamped and signed by the physician. The following pages have to be signed by the parent/guardian and student (Parent Permission Slip, Random Drug Testing, Head Injury Fact Sheet, Sudden Cardiac Death, Opioid Policy)

Yearly Screenings

According to NJ Administrative Code 6A: 16-2.2 Schools are obligated to perform the following screenings during the school year:

Height and Weight (every year)

Blood Pressure (every year)

Vision (early childhood, kindergarten, grade: 2,4,6,8,10)

Hearing (early childhood, kindergarten, grade: 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 11)

Scoliosis ( age 10, 12, 14, 16)

Dental (routinely only for early childhood students)

If the Nurse finds “out of normal” results in any screening, parents will receive notification and a referral to see a specialist for follow up.

Scoliosis: You will be notified before scoliosis screening takes place as it is necessary for your child to dress appropriately for this screening (girls might want to wear a bathing suit under their uniform).

If you want to opt out of the screenings, you need to let the nurse know in writing.

Over the Counter Medications

The following medications/treatments are kept in the Nurse's Office and might be used to treat your child. The nurse needs a written consent  from the parent/guardian to administer

ACETAMINOPHEN (Children’s Liquid, Chewable, Tablets, Junior Strength, Adult Tablets)

Reason: for temperature ≥102℉. Any child with a temperature ≥100℉ will be sent home.

Dosage: Dosage will be based on the child’s age and/or weight according to protocol.

Ibuprofen (Children’s Elixir/Liquid, Junior Strength Chewable, Swallow, Adult Tablets)

Reason: for temperature ≥102℉. Any child with a temperature ≥100℉ will be sent home.

Dosage: Dosage will be based on the child’s age and/or weight according to protocol.

Benadryl (diphenhydramine)

Reason: Benadryl will only be given for symptoms of a possible allergic reaction such as to bee  

stings, or other allergic reactions to plants, or foods. Symptoms include redness, swelling, hives,  

Dosage: Dosage will be calculated according to the student’s weight

Orajel/Anbesol (benzocaine oropharyngeal)

Reason: Orajel or Anbesol will be applied to gum/or oral mucosa for toothache, canker sores, and mouth ulcers.  

Consent to Blood Glucose test

Reason: Signs and Symptoms of low blood sugar/fainting

 Other over-the-counter medications kept in the Health Office:

Hydrocortisone Ointment (itching), Antibiotic Ointment (prevent infection), Calamine Spray (itching, rash), Chloraseptic Spray (sore throat), Vicks VapRub (Cough), Cough drops (sore throat, cough), Antacids, Tums, Mylanta, Rolaids (mild stomach pain, reflux, bloating), Skin Moisturizers (dry, itchy skin), Burn gel/spray (minor burn, cuts, sunburn), Lip Balm (dry chapped lips), Ammonia Inhalants (fainting), Benzocaine/Menthol/Sting Relief (bee/mosquito bites), blood Glucose Tablets (low blood sugar)

When to keep your child home

When your child is absent from school:

Please call your child’s attendance Officer and state the reason for the absence. Please be specific about what symptoms your child is experiencing and how many symptoms. Your child’s absence will only be excused if a medical note is provided. Every student absent 3 or more days needs to bring a medical note in order to be able to return to school.

Vaccine Requirements to Attend School in New Jersey

Please call your child’s Nurse if you have specific questions regarding immunizations.

Influenza

What you need to know about the “Flu” (Spanish)

Children from 5 to 59 months of age need to be vaccinated in order to attend school.

Tdap and Meningococcal 

Vaccines are required for all entering 6th graders who are 11 years of age or older

Meningococcal fact sheet.pdf

Information on the Human papillomavirus (HPV)

This is not a mandatory requirement for school attendance

Government Assistance Programs:

NJ Family Care

Healthcare for Kids: If you do not have a health insurance policy you may obtain one through NJ Family Care which provides free or low-cost insurance for children and their parents/guardians. Go to: https://njfamilycare.dhs.state.nj.us/whatisit.aspx

Other

Supplemental Food Assistance

Mental Health and Addiction Services

West New York Health Department