Spring Garden Nurse's Corner
UPDATED DECEMBER 4, 2023
My name is Cindy Mascolo and this is my sixth year here at Spring Garden School. This is my
31st year as a registered nurse. You can contact me during school hours at: 973-661-8984. My e-mail address is: cmascolo@nutleyschools.org
Unfortunately we are still dealing with Covid19 and must still follow the guidelines. I will update this site as the guidelines change (dated ).
COUGH DROPS - IF YOU WANT YOUR CHILD TO HAVE COUGH DROPS IN SCHOOL, PLEASE SEND THEM IN WITH A NOTE TO THE NURSE'S OFFICE. I WILL NOT BE GIVING OUT ANY COUGH DROPS WITHOUT PARENT PERMISSION. PLEASE PROVIDE THEM IF YOU WANT YOUR CHILD TO HAVE THEM IN SCHOOL.
MEDICATION IN THE SCHOOL SETTING
If you need your child to be given medication in school, we need a prescription from your medical provider or we can also provide you with a school form for your medical provider to fill out. If the medication is over the counter (OTC), the medication should be in the original container and an unexpired date. If it is a medication that requires a prescription, it should have the child's name on the label with instructions how to give the medication along with a paper prescription with the medical providers instructions and signature.
ILLNESSES/ABSENCES
In order for us to monitor illness in our school building, it is advisable to let our Main Office know exactly what illness your child(ren) are experiencing. When you just say "sick" or "illness" it does not give us enough information to decipher if we have a number of students with the same illness. It is in our policy to always call the school when your child(ren) are absent from school and if he/she is absent 3 days or more, you need to provide a written note from your health care provider.
The absentee call line # is: 973-320-8309
INJURIES/ACTIVITY RESTRICTIONS
If your child sustains an injury, please advise the school. If your child has a cast, orthopedic boot, sutures, ace bandage or coban bandage wrap (or other injuries), please provide us with a medical provider's note to instruct the school what type of activities are permitted while your child is healing. Also we need a medical note if your child requires the use of the elevator if they are not permitted to climb or descend on the stairs. We would need medical clearance from your medical provider after an injury for instructions to have your child participate in activities again.
THE FLU
Influenza (also known as the flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose throat, and lungs Flu is different from a cold, and usually comes on suddenly. Each year flu viruses cause millions of illnesses, hundreds of thousands of hospital stays and thousands or tens of thousands of deaths in the United States.
Flu can be very dangerous for children. CDC estimates that between 6,000 and 26,00 children younger than 5 years have been hospitalized each year in the United States because of influenza. The flu vaccine is safe and helps protect children from flu.
How does the flu spread?
Flu viruses are thought to spread mainly by droplets made when someone with flu coughs, sneezes or talks. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people nearby. A person also can get flu by touching something that has flu virus on it and then toughing their mouth, eyes, or nose.
What are flu symptoms?
Flu symptoms can include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, feeling tired and sometimes vomiting and diarrhea (more common in children than adults). Some people with the flu will not have a fever.
How can I protect my child from flu?
The first and best way to protect against flu is to get a yearly flu vaccine for yourself and your child.
The Flu vaccination is recommended for everyone 6 mouths and older every year. Flu shots and nasal spray flu vaccines are both options for vaccination.
It is especially important that young children and children with certain long-term health problems get vaccinated.
How long can a sick person spread flu to others?
People with flu may be able to infect others from 1 day before getting sick to up to 5 to 7 days after. Severely ill people or young children may be able to spread the flu longer, especially if they have symptoms.
Can my child go to school, day care, or camp if he or she is sick?
No. Your child should stay home to re st and to avoid spreading flu to other children or caregivers.
When can my child go back to school after having flu?
Keep your child home from school, day care, or camp for at least 24 hours after their fever is gone. (The fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.) A fever is defined as 100 Degrees F (37.8 degrees C) or higher.
(CDC website, "The Flu: A Guide for Parents")
IF YOU WANT TO WEAR A MASK IN THE SCHOOL SETTING, IT IS OPTIONAL.
The proper manner to wear a mask: Masks should cover your nose, mouth and chin and fit close to the face. KN95 masks are the recommended masks as they filter out approximately 95% of tiny 0.3 micron particles in the air. Cloth masks should be 2 layers and inspected that they are intact with no holes or tears and washed every day after use. Hands should be washed before and after putting the mask on/off.
WHEN YOU TEST POSITIVE FOR COVID 19:
If you test positive for Covid 19, you are to isolate a full 5 days (the date of your positive test or the date when your symptoms first started is day 0) away from others. This includes when you live in a household with multiple persons.
You should contact any person you had contact with up to 2 days before you tested positive so they may monitor for symptoms and get tested. The person who tested positive may return to school if they are fever free for 24 hours and the other symptoms have resolved. In the school setting we require the student/staff member to wear a well-fitted mask at all times other than to eat or drink from days 6-10.
MASKS WILL STILL BE MANDATORY FOR PERSONS WHO ARE RETURNING TO SCHOOL/WORK AFTER TESTING POSITIVE FOR COVID 19 FOR DAYS 6 THROUGH 10. The most recent guidelines allow for individuals to return to work/school after the completion of 5 days isolation/quarantine provided the person has resolved Covid 19 symptoms and fever free for 24 hours without the aid of medication. They are then required to wear a mask at all times other than eating for days 6 through 10 of the isolation/quarantine period. If your child is unable to wear a mask for day 6-10 after isolation/quarantine, they should remain home through day 10.
Your child may test out of wearing a mask if they test negative 48 hours apart, starting on day 6.
COVID 19 VACCINE INFORMATION:
Vaccine information fact sheet: www.cvdvaccine.com
If you do not have health insurance of your health insurance does not cover all Covid 19 costs, please see the Bridge Access Program on the CDC website. You will find information about free covid 19 vaccines.`
covid19.nj.gov/finder or call 855-568-0545
Please speak with your medical provider about the Covid vaccine. The Covid virus has many strains and the vaccines are updated to reflect the circulating strains predicted and target them. This is why you will need a current vaccine just like the flu vaccine every year. The flu vaccine is updated every year to target the predicted strains by medical experts.
FLU VACCINE: The flu vaccine is free when you have insurance. You can call your primary health provider or the local pharmacies such as CVS and Walgreens (there are others as well) to make an appointment. Flu season is generally through March 31st.
FREE FLU VACCINATION VOUCHERS FOR UNINSURED
United Way, NJ 211, and Single Care (formerly FamilyWize) partnered with Walgreens to offer free flu vaccines across New Jersey. Uninsured individuals are eligible for a voucher. Those interested can dial 2-1-1, text their zip code to 898-211, or chat via the website to request a vaccine voucher; qualified individuals will receive an email with the voucher within two business days.
Also please check with your local and county health departments for local flu clinics.
GENERAL ILLNESS OR MEDICAL EMERGENCY IN SCHOOL
FEVER, VOMIT, DIARRHEA FREE FOR 24 HOURS WITHOUT THE USE OF MEDICATION
STREP THROAT: Child may return to school 24-48 hours after starting antibiotic therapy with doctor approval.
SKIN RASHES: If your child exhibits a skin rash of undetermined origin, please consult your health care provider before sending
the child to school. It must be diagnosed and if contagious, the child must remain out of the school setting until
cleared to return to school by a medical provider.
PINK EYE: Child may exhibit tears, redness, irritation of the eye followed by swelling and sometime also a discharge of pus. Please
consult with a health care provider and a doctor's note is required for readmission to school. (Please advise the nurse in September
if your child has seasonal allergies. The eye symptoms are similar to those of pink eye but the irritation is of a different origin.)
HEAD LICE: Remain out of school until treatment completed and lice free.
PLEASE DO NOT SEND YOUR CHILD TO SCHOOL IF THEY ARE SICK:
If a student comes to the nurse office feeling sick/ill (especially when the school day is just beginning) the nurse will be calling
the caregiver/parent. This includes other illnesses such as an earache, toothache, excessvie fatigue,
excessive coughing, headache, pain, chills, sore throat. Also if you send your child to school sick, YOU MAY BE INFECTING
OTHER UNSUSPECTING CHILDREN/STAFF.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE YOUR CHILD TO USE COUGH DROPS DURING SCHOOL HOURS, PLEASE SEND IN COUGH DROPS AND A PARENT/GUARDIAN NOTE AND SEND TO THE NURSE'S OFFICE.
ILLNESS/SICKNESS
If you are feeling sick or ill, please do not come to school. Please follow the morning health screening when it advises to stay home and contact your school nurse or main office to report your illness.
If two or more items from Column A are checked or one item from Column B is checked, you should be keeping your child home from school:
Column A:
Fever (measured or subjective), Chills, Rigors (shivers), Myalgia (muscle aches), Headache, Sore Throat, Nausea or Vomiting, Diarrhea, Fatigue, Congestion or runny nose
Column B:
Cough, Shortness of Breath, Difficulty breathing, New loss of smell, New loss of taste
If the student or staff member displays any TWO symptoms in column A or ONE symptom in column B, he/she SHOULD get tested for Covid 19. These are guidelines from the CDC and NJ Health Department. It is not mandated to get tested but strongly suggested to mitigate the spread of viral infections.
PLEASE NOTE THE GUIDELINES FOR PREK DIFFERS FROM K-12.
PreK students who test positive for Covid must stay home and isolate as much as possible for a full 10 days before they may return to school. If your child is able to wear a well-fitted mask after testing positive for Covid on day 6-10, they may return to school wearing a mask for days 6-10. If you child is not able to wear a well fitted mask for day 6-10 after testing positive for Covid 19, they must remain home on isolation for the full 10 days
CLOSE CONTACT WITH SOMEONE WHO TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID 19
There is no more quarantining for anyone, whether vaccinated or not vaccinated, after they have had close contact with someone who tested positive for Covid 19. HOWEVER, asymptomatic students and staff who were exposed to Covid 19 should continue to TEST and wear a mask for 10 days (this is not mandated but strongly recommended).
OTHER THINGS TO DO WHEN ISOLATING (POSITIVE FOR COVID)
Give space to people you live with and DO NOT host visitors Stay in a separate part of your home and use a different bathroom if you can.
Wear a mask for 10 days over your mouth AND nose (even at home if you live with other people)!
Avoid travel, public transportation, and anywhere that you can't wear a mask (restaurants, bars, people's homes, etc.) from day 5-10.
As always, clean all "high touch" surfaces. Wipe down and sanitize shared spaces often. Wash hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds.
Watch for symptoms of Covid 19 such as cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, loss of taste/smell, headache, body aches, sore throat, fever, chills, diarrhea.
LEARN MORE ABOUT COVID-19 AT: nj.gov/heath/cd/topics/ncov.shtml
COUNSELING
If any child is having any issues pertaining to the pandemic or other concerns, we have school counselors available. Please contact the school for further information.
TOWNSHIP OF NUTLEY HEALTH DEPARTMENT Phone # 973-284-4951 x 2410 Office
Website: www.nutleynj.org/health Fax #973-284-1026
The Nutley Health Department not only provides information about current COVID-19 news and information but also information related to health promotion, screenings, vaccines, town events, food services, and many other town services and events. Please visit this website when you have a few moments to see some of the health benefits and events available to residents.
NJ Department of Health: On Twitter - @njdeptofhealth
Instagram - @njdeptofhealth
Facebook - /njdeptofhealth
Snapchat - @njdoh
OFFICIAL NEW JERSEY COVID-19 INFORMATION HUB - www.covid19.nj.gov
Call (General Covid-19 questions): 2-1-1 (24/7)
Call (Medical Covid-19 questions): 1-800-962-1253 (24/7)
Call (Vaccine Appointment support): 1-855-568-0545 (8a – 8p)
Text NJCOVID to 898-211 – to receive alerts
This site has information related to: Indoor/outdoor dining and gatherings, public testing, travel restrictions, phases of eligibility for the Covid-19 vaccine as well as where, how, and when you can get vaccinated. There are several categories listed on the Main page with information and resources.
NJ DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & CDC RECOMMENDATIONS K-12