Spring Garden Nurse's Corner
UPDATED MARCH 28, 2025
My name is Cindy Mascolo and this is my eighth year here at Spring Garden School. This is my
32nd year as a registered nurse. My hospital background includes Medical/Surgical, ICU, and the Operating Room and I also have 2 years experience in Home Care. You can contact me during school hours at: 973-661-8984. My e-mail address is: cmascolo@nutleyschools.org
WINTER/COLD WEATHER:
If your child has chapped or dry lips, please send in lip balm with them so they do not need to come to the nurse frequently during the school day.
If you child is having cold symptoms (including a cough) or not feeling well, please take their temperature before coming to school. If you feel they need cold medication to feel better, please contact your pediatrician for medication recommendations but please do not send a child medicated for a fever to school. A child should be fever free for 24 hours without the use of medication for school admittance. We do not want to spread infections in the school environment so please use good judgement in sending your child to school when he/she is not feeling well.
If your child should need to be taken home due to an illness or injury, please be sure we have updated contact information. If a parent or both parents work, please have a contact available to take your child home in a timely manner.
Please be sure your child dresses appropriately for the cold weather. They go outside for lunch recess when the temperature is above freezing and may need hats and gloves as well as a warm coat. Also, remind your children not to leave coats, sweaters, hats, gloves, etc. at school. It is a good idea to put your child's name in their belongings
SEASONAL ALLERGIES :
If your child has seasonal allergies, please assess how they feel in the morning before coming to school. If they take daily allergy medication, please ensure they have had their medication before coming to school including nasal sprays and eye drops.
MYCOPLASMA PNEUMONIAE INFECTIONS INCREASING IN NEW JERSEY (10/30/24)
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) are observing an incerase in reports of pneumonia. The proportion of patients discharged from emergency departments with a diagnosis of Mycoplasma pneumoiae-assiciated pneumonia has been increasing across the United Stated and New Jersey. Mycoplasma pneoniae infections are typically mild, but can result in severe illness amoung vulnerable popultoins, including young children, older adults, and indicutuals with underlying health conditions.
(please type "mycoplasma pneumoniae infections increasing in New Jersey" for more information.)
NJ Health Department/Confirmed Cases of Measles, Bergen County, NJ
On Wednesday, March 19, 2025, a confirmed measles case traveled from Penn Station, New York, via Amtrak Northeast Regional 175 Train Southbound, passing through NJ. The individual is not a NJ resident The exposure timeframe is March 19, 7:30 pm - 1:30 am.
Anyone who traveled on Amtrak Northeast Regional 175 Train Southbound only on March 19 from 7:30 pm through 1:30am (March 20), may have been exposed to measles. As of today (3/26/25), the NJDOH has not been notified of NJ residents known to have been exposed. If infected, individuals would be expected to develop symptoms of measles no later than April 9.
As of March 26, there are a total of 3 measles cases in NJ in 2025. There is no on-going community transmission of measles in NJ at this time. A total of 7 measles cases were reported in NJ in 2024.
Measles cases continue to be indentified across the country with 18 jurisdictions reporting cases in 2025, including Alaska, California, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York City, New York State, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Vermont, ad Washington. 95% of these cases are unvaccinated or have unkown vaccination status.
The NJDOE would also like to make you aware that from January 1 to March 20, 2025, the CDC has been notified of 378 confirmed cases of measles across 18 jurisdictions in the US including 3 outbreaks Two deaths have been reported (1 confirmed, 1 under investigation) There is an on-going outbreak occurring in Texas with spread to New Mexico. 95% of the cases reported in the US for 2025 are among children and individuals who had not received measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine or have unknown vaccination status. In 2024, there were a total of 285 measles cases reported across the country.
Any confirmed case of measles must be IMMEDIATELY REPORTED TO THE LOCAL PUBLIC HEALTH AUTHORITIES WHERE THE PATIENT RESIDES, or if not available, to the NJDOH at (609) 826-5964 during regular business hours or (609) 392-2020 after business hours or on the weekends.
From January 1 to February 20, 2025, the CDC has been notified of 93 confirmed U.S. cases of measles across 8 jurisdictions, including 3 outbreaks. 95% of the cases reported in 2025 are among children and individuals who had not received measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine or have unknown vaccination status. In 2024, there were a total of 285 measles cases reported across the country.
The Department urges all New Jersey residents planning to travel, regardless of destination, to ensure they are current on all routine and travel vaccinations, especially MMR vaccinations. If you are traveling internationally with an infant 6-11 months of age, ask their pediatrician about MMR prior to travel. The NJDOH is also requesting that healthcare providers use every opportunity to assess for immunizations to ensure all patients are current on routine immunizations.
Measles is an extremely contagious virus that spreads through the air via coughing or sneezing and can linger in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves the area.
The MMR shot is the most effective way to avoid these illnesses. Children are recommended to receive two doses of MMR, starting with the first dose at 12 to 15 months of age, and the second dose at 4 to 6 years of age. Teens and adults should also be up to date on their MMR shot. Individuals who have not received two MMR shots or are unaware of their history should reach out to their health care provider to check their immunity levels, especially if traveling. In addition to health care providers, MMR shots are available at many pharmacies, local health departments and federally qualified health centers.
NJDOH is urging individuals to be aware of the symptoms and, if they suspect illness, to call their health care provider first before arriving at the facility so that the provider can take precautions.
For measles:
- Symptoms appear about one to two weeks after exposure.
- Symptoms start as a high fever, cough, runny nose, and watery or red eyes.
- The measles rash starts three to five days after the other symptoms.
- Measles can also cause neurologic or brain complications for people later in life.
Mumps can start with fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness, and loss of appetite. Later, it appears as a swelling of the salivary glands or puffy cheeks and a tender, swollen jaw. Mumps can be dangerous. Swollen glands can include swelling of the brain, testicles, ovaries, or breast tissue. This can cause complications such as brain inflammation (encephalitis), deafness, or infertility later in life.
Symptoms for rubella are mild and are similar to measles. But rubella can be very dangerous for pregnant people and can cause birth defects, miscarriage, or death for babies shortly after birth.
For more information, visit: nj.gov/health/vaccines/mmr.
COVID/RESPIRATORY ILLNESS GUIDELINES
Anyone with symptoms of a respoiratory virus (including Covid-19) should stay home and away from others until:
- The individual is fever free for 24 hours without fever reducing medication AND
- Symptoms are improving, which means the individual is no longer feeling ill and able to participate comfortably in educational and other activities as they did before they were ill. Any remaining symptoms, such as cough or runny nose are mild or infrequent.
Individuals can then return to normal activities, but they should take additional precautions for the next five days when they are around other people indoors. These precautions included:
- Wearing a well-fitting mask
- Taking steps for cleaner air
- Practicing good hand hygiene and respirtory etiquette
- Physical distancing when around others
- Testing for respiratory viruses to determine next steps such as treatment
Using at-home COVID-19 tests for screening before being around persons at risk for severe disease.
*Symptoms can include fever, chills, fatigue, cough, runny nose, and headache, chest discomfort, chills, cough, decrease in appetite, diarhea, fatigue, fever or feeling feverish, heacache, muscle or body aches, new loss of taste or small, runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat, vomiting, weakness, wheezing.
What to know:
- Taking steps to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses when you are sick is a core prevention strategy to lower risk from respiratory viruses
- Core prevention strategies are important steps you can take to protect yourself and others from respiratory viruses
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 should provide a written note from your health care provider so we know they have been cleared to return to school.
The absentee call line # is: 973-320-830
CONSIDERATION FOR PREGNANT STAFF:
Some illnesses/diseases have a potential to harm a fetus in the womb. A pregnant person may need to be checked by their maternity medical provider if exposed to certain illnesses to ensure the safety and health of their unborn child. Please advise the school if your child has any of the following illnesses:
- Slapped cheek syndrome/Fifths disease
- CMV (cytomegalovirus)
- German Measles
- Chicken pox
- Zika virus
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.
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.
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