Hello!
My name is Helen and this is my first year being the school nurse at Antietam Elementary!
I look forward to working in the school setting with you and your children!
If you need anything, please contact me!
[email protected]
703-497-7619
As we are entering the cold and flu season, this is a reminder of the best health practices to decrease the spread and transmission of viruses in PWCS schools.
Please remember to cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and throw used tissues in the trash. If you don't have a tissue, cough, or sneeze into your elbow, not your hands. Wash hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds, dry hands with a paper towel, and use the paper towel to turn off the faucet. If soap and water are not available, hand sanitizers may also be used to preform hand hygiene. Remember to stay home when you’re sick until at least 24 hours without a fever or the use of fever reducing medicine. Together we can help stop the spread of germs that may make you and others ill.
When Should I Keep My Child Home From School?
Students will be sent home from school of should be excluded from school (per Regulation 757-1 Attachment) for the following reasons:
- Fever of 100 degrees and over - exclude until student has been fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of reducing medications.
- Conjunctivitis (pink eye) strep infections, ringworm, and impetigo are all infections and must be treated with medication for a minimum of 24 hours before returning to school.
- Rash of unknown origin (especially if accompanied by a fever)
- Head injury
- Severe coughing or difficulty breathing
- Colds - a child with thick or constant nasal drainage should remain at home
- Diarrhea or vomiting - exclude until student has been symptom free for at least 24 hours
- Stiff neck associated with fever and/or recent injury
- Inadequate immunizations with known disease outbreak in school
- Refer to the VDOH Communicable Disease Reference Chart for School Personnel or visit the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) website
All preschool, kindergarten, and new to the county students are required to submit a Virginia School Entrance Health (Physical) Form and immunization record completed by a licensed provider prior to the first day of school. School entrance physicals must be completed within one year of entry. This means that for the 2020-21 school year, physicals must be completed between September 8, 2019 and September 7, 2020. This is in accordance with the Virginia Department of Education school entrance requirements and is a requirement for both in-person and virtual schooling within the county.
Medications at School and Special Health Conditions
Special Health conditions can be managed at school. If your student needs medication at school, it needs to be brought into the clinic by an adult, in the original sealed container, and accompanied by the proper paperwork. New paperwork is required for each school year. Students are not permitted to transport medications to and from school. See below for medication authorization forms and other health treatment plan forms. Please don't hesitate to speak with me if you have any questions about managing your student's special health condition at school.
Hearing and Vision Screening
Kindergarten and third grade students have their vision and hearing screened during the first months of the school year. You will be notified only if there is a problem with the results of either screening. Vision screening is performed by volunteers with the Lake Ridge Lion's Club. They use a Spot Vision Screener which takes a picture of the eye and screens for a variety of eye and vision problems. For more information you can contact the Lake Ridge Lion's Club at 703-590-3170.
Emergency Cards
Parents and guardians please make sure the school has up-to-date contact information for all persons listed on the emergency card. This is crucial when trying yo contact parents and/or emergency contacts regarding illness and/or injury at school.
Food Allergy Awareness
We have many students at Antietam Elementary school with life threatening food allergies. Please remind your student of the importance of not sharing food during snack or lunch. Also, please consider peanut and nut free snack items that will be eaten in the classroom. if your child has a food allergy and does not yet have an allergy action plan in the clinic please see the forms below.
5th Grade Parents/Guardians
All rising 6th graders are required to have a Tdap immunization BEFORE they enter 6th grade. Please send in a copy of your 5th grade's immunization record after receiving their Tdap booster shot. Your student will not be able to start 6th grade without proof of the Tdap vaccination on file at the school.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that girls and boys 11-12 years old receive the HPV vaccine. Please refer to the following website for additional information: VA Department of Health School Requirements
PWCS Health Forms and Regulations
Authorization for Medical Administration Reg 757-4
Allergy Action Plan Reg 757-2
Asthma Action Plan (PDF)
Emergency Treatment Plan Reg 757-3
Head Lice Reg 753-2
Immunization Requirements Reg 723-6
School Entrance Health Form (PDF)
School Entrance Health Form-Spanish (PDF)
Seizure Plan of Care Reg 757-7