Branchburg Township School District

BRANCHBURG TOWNSHIP SCHOOLS

SCHOOL HEALTH SERVICES

              Welcome to the Branchburg Township Schools

The comprehensive school health program is maintained by four full time certified school nurses. Each of the three school buildings are staffed with one nurse with an additional nurse working at the Whiton Elementary School. In addition to the regular staff, registered nurses are employed as substitutes in the absence of the regular school nurses. Nurses are also available to attend all field trips. The Branchburg School Nurses work in a cooperative manner and facilitate the needs and acuity health issues in all of the schools.

The primary goal of the school health program is to maintain and promote optimal health for all children. We encourage and teach children to take responsibility for healthy living habits. We are mandated by Federal and State statutes and code in the promotion of the health and safety of all of our children. These are reflected in the district Board of Education policies and regulations, some of which are highlighted below.

Physical Examinations and Record of Immunizations

Physical Examinations: Children who enter the district for the first time are required to have a PHYSICAL EXAMINATION by a licensed physician, physician's assistant, or certified nurse practitioner. Branchburg School Health Services recommends subsequent medical examinations of children at least once during each developmental stage, at early childhood (pre-school through grade three), pre-adolescence (grades four through six) and adolescence (grade seven through twelve).

Middle school students who wish to try-out and participate in an INTERSCHOLASTIC SPORT require a current PHYSICAL EXAMINATION (within 365 days). For each sport your child wishes to try-out for, a new HEALTH HISTORY QUESTIONNAIRE form must be completed by the parent/guardian. Only one current physical exam is required per school year, however participation in subsequent sports requires the completion of a new Health History Questionnaire with each sport.

Immunizations: Additionally, the law requires a record of immunizations. The documented record of immunizations will be accepted from (1) a licensed physician, (2) school health record form (A-45) from a New Jersey school district, (3) a governmental Health Agency, or (4) any documented school health form from districts outside of New Jersey, but within the United States. If a child enters the district from certain identified high-risk countries a valid record of a Mantoux Tuberculin Skin Test must be presented. If there is no record of a Mantoux test then Branchburg School Health Services can administer an intradermal tuberculin skin test. By state law, the Mantoux (PPD) test will only be considered valid if administered within the prior six months.

Medication Policy

In accordance with school policy and state mandates, if your child needs to take any prescription or over the counter medications during school, the following procedure must be followed before the school nurse will administer medication to your child.

The four necessary requirements are:

A. Provide written physician statement identifying the type, dosage and purpose of the medication.

B. Provide written parent/guardian permission for nurse to give the medication prescribed by physician.

C. Provide medication in original labeled pharmacy container (pharmacies will provide an extra labeled container) with the child’s name, date, name of medication, dosage schedule and physician’s name. Nonprescription drugs are to be in original container.

D. Parent/guardian (not the child) must bring in all medication to the school nurse.

MEDICATION AUTHORIZATION FORM needed for the School Nurse to administer medicine during the school day.

NJ State Law

In 1997 New Jersey legislature passed a law which allows a student to carry and self-administer an Epi-Pen and/or self-administer an inhaler if he/she is diagnosed with a potentially life-threatening condition, which would warrant the immediate use of these medications.

Physician's Orders for Allergy Emergency Treatment and
Self Administration of Asthma Inhaler FORMs

epipen

Additionally, in 1997 the state of New Jersey also passed legislation allowing a staff member (teacher, aide, secretary, etc.) to be designated as the person who will administer an EpiPen to a child diagnosed with a severe allergic response to peanuts,nuts, other foods or insect stings in the absence of the school nurse.

Helpful Health Tip: Make a copy of all your child's health related forms and store them in your child’s medical file at home. This should include your child’s completed physical examination form, health history questionnaire form, physician reports (primary care physician and specialists), physical education excuses written by your child’s physician, dental reports, and any other documents you receive regarding the health of your child.

If you have any questions regarding the school health program, please call the nurse in your child's building. We thank you for your cooperation and remain committed to serving as advocates for the children of the Branchburg School District.

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