Health Updates
A registered nurse, Chris Cockrell, is on duty every school day from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm. The nurse is available for first aid, health screening, and to promote the health and safety of the Lafayette school community. Confidentiality on all health matters is respected. If you need to reach the nurse, please dial 202-282-0116 and ask to speak to the nurse.
This page will be used to keep the Lafayette school community informed about on-going health-related issues. Please find information on the following topics:
Chronic Illness and Communicable Diseases
Parents of children with a history of chronic illness (food allergies, asthma, etc.) that may affect school performance should meet with the school nurse to develop an individual health plan (IHP).
Parents are requested to report immediately any child's communicable illness (e.g. strep throat, chicken pox, flu, lice, etc.) to the school nurse. Children with fever, sore throat or nausea should not come to school. Students with possible contagious eye infections, undiagnosed skin eruptions, head lice, or illness that interferes with classroom performance will be excluded from class. Parents will be notified to pick up their child.
Children should be fever-free for 24 hours before returning to school. Children being treated for communicable illnesses should not return unless their healthcare provider has given medical clearance to return. Parents are asked to send a note with their child upon their return that explains their absence.
Administration of Medication
DCPS policy requires that parents and physicians complete appropriate health forms before any prescription or over-the-counter medication can be administered. These forms are available from the school nurse. Please do not send any medications to school with your child. All medications should be taken to the health suite by a parent where they are checked in.
Accident or Sudden Illness at School
The school nurse will contact parents to advise them in case of illness or accident. Please keep work numbers current. The school must have the number of a relative, friend, or neighbor in case parents cannot be reached. If emergency transportation is required, a staff member will accompany the student if the parent is not present.
Head Lice
Head lice can happen to anyone, and is especially commen in pre-K and elementary-age children. Lice are spread by contact, which is common among elementary school children. Please read the the information below and consider contacting one of the local head lice companies listed below for help. If your child does contract lice, your child should remain at home until there is no sign of lice or nits. Your child must be checked by the school nurse and be lice and nit-free before returning to the classroom.
Local Resources for Lice:
Lice Happens (www.licehappens.com)
M.J. Eckert, RN and Nancy Fields (co-founders)
email:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
phone: 443-510-4480
Advice on Lice (www.adviceonlicemd.com)
10400 Connecticut Ave, Suite 403
Kensington, MD 20895-3910
email:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
phone: 240-242-4267 cell: 240-305-1420
Flu and other Viruses
At school we work hard to keep viruses from spreading. There are simple steps that you and your children can take to prevent the spread of flu, colds, and other diseases:
- Get your family vaccinated for seasonal flu.
- Cough or sneeze into a tissue. If you do not have a tissue, cough or sneeze into the elbow of your sleeves, not into your hands.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing.
- Stay home if you or your child is sick, for at least 24 hours after there is no longer any sign of fever.
Here is some additional information about the flu virus:
The following information comes from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and includes the CDC's advice for schools to help prevent the spread of flu this season:
Lafayette School Nurse
Lafayette is pleased to welcome our new school nurse, Chris Cockrell, RN. The nurse is on duty every school day from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm. If you need to reach the nurse's office, please call the front office at 202-282-0116 and ask to speak to the nurse.
Ms. Cockrell is a native of California and received her bachelor's degree in nursing from the University of Vermont. She is the mother of four daughters, ranging in age from 25 to 16. Having spent much of her career working in an acute psychiatric unit for adults and adolescents, Ms. Cockrell took some time off after her fourth daughter was born. She returned to work two years ago, working as a nurse in DCPS schools. At a charter school where she worked, Ms. Cockrell instituted a fitness and nutrition program and a special series of lunch classes to help educate students about healthy eating.
In her time off, Ms. Cockrell enjoys hiking, cooking, and long-distance running. She is excited to be at Lafayette and looks forward to getting involved in our school community.
|
