Health & Wellness

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*IMPORTANT: Stuart cannot accept hard copies of medical forms. All information must be uploaded to Magnus, and any medical information sent to the school will be destroyed for privacy and safety reasons.

Important - effective July 1, 2024 the State of New Jersey has issued a new Preparticipation Physical Examination Eligibility form. This form must be used if the exam is performed on or after July 1, 2024. 

All students are required to submit an annual Preparticipation Physical Evaluation form to Magnus (when registration opens on June 24). Please use the form from Magnus or print it from this link Preparticipation Physical Evaluation Medical Eligibility Forms. This form is used for all grades (Early Childhood through Grade 12), even though it uses “Athlete” as the label for the student. At any time, there must be an updated form available for your child in Magnus. An exam is valid for 365 days.

Before the medical examination, the set of forms should be printed out from Magnus (or from above link) and brought to the doctor.

During the visit to the doctor’s office an updated immunization form should be obtained. Please upload it to “Health Forms - Immunization Forms” in Magnus.

When the Preparticipation Physical Evaluation/Preparticipation Physical Eva;uation Medical Eligibility form expires, it must be replaced within a 14 days grace period.

If it at any point turns out to be a problem for the student/family/guardians to update the physical exam as required, Stuart will provide an option for an exam to be performed. The cost for the exam will be billed to the student’s Stuart account in full amount.

The parents/guardians are welcome to be present during the exam.

Please see additional information below on immunization requirements and athletic  forms. Allergy Action Plans, Asthma Action Plans, Seizure Action Plans and Immunization Forms should be uploaded to Magnus by July 15.

All New Students are required to submit a valid Preparticipation Physical Evaluation (exam performed before 7/1/24) or Preparticipation Physical Evaluation Medical Eligibility form (exam performed on or after 7/1/24), Immunization Record and other needed medical forms to the health office through Magnus by July 15.

All athletes are required to make sure they have a valid Preparticipation Physical Evaluation (exam performed before 7/1/2024) or the new Preparticipation Physical Evaluation Medical Eligibility Form (exam performed on or after 7/1/2024 on file in Magnus. In addition, Upper School athletes must read and complete required forms that are available in Magnus by July 15, 2024. 

All Middle and Upper School athletes must complete the “Health History Update Questionnaire” prior to the first day of practice.

Athletes must make sure to read and sign off on each of the required Athletic Forms as well. These include:

• Sudden Cardiac Death | Pamphlet & Acknowledgement
• Concussion Consent Form
• Use and Misuse of Opioid Drugs | Fact Sheet & Acknowledgement 

In order to access the required athletic forms, you must select “yes” to the athletics question that is located in the conditional questions. The Sports Related Eye Injuries Fact Sheet should be reviewed as well, but there is no signature required. Please reach out to Megan Cianfrone at mcianfrone@stuartschool.org if you have any questions regarding the athletic forms. 

*IMPORTANT: Stuart cannot accept hard copies of medical forms. All information must be uploaded to Magnus, and any medical information sent to the school will be destroyed for privacy and safety reasons.

Preschool Immunization Requirements:

All students entering school must be up to date on all immunizations. Proof of immunizations must be submitted to the “Health Office - Immunization Forms” section in Magnus for review prior to the start of school.

Influenza (Flu) Vaccination:

All children between the ages of 6 months – 59 months must receive the influenza vaccination annually. Please submit proof of vaccination to the health office as soon as the child receives the vaccination - the latest by December 1, 2024. If your child does not receive the vaccination due to medical reasons, a medical exemption notice must be written by the pediatrician.

If your child has allergies or asthma, please have your child’s physician complete the Allergy Action Plan and/or Asthma Action Plan and upload it to Magnus in the relevant section. A new form is required for every new school year.

If your child has other chronic conditions (e.g., diabetes, epilepsy), please submit a medical plan through Magnus. 

EPIPENS:

• If your child is prescribed an Epinephrine auto injector you MUST supply the health office with 2 EpiPen’s and Benadryl if the doctor has prescribed that.
• If your child self-carries an EpiPen, the second auto-injector MUST be kept in the health office and you MUST fill out the Parental Consent for Self-Administration and Self-Carry of an Auto-Injector or Inhaler  .

INHALERS:

• If your child is prescribed an Inhaler you MUST supply one inhaler to the health office
• If your child self-carries the medication, a second inhaler MUST be kept in the health office and you MUST fill out the Parental Consent for Self-Administration and Self-Carry of an Auto-Injector or Inhaler

What is the Flu? What is RSV? What is COVID? All three are contagious viral infections in your respiratory system (nose, throat and possibly the lungs) that can be difficult to distinguish from other viral infections or each other. 

Signs and Symptoms of the Flu, RSV and COVID: People who have one of these infections often feel some or all of these signs and symptoms that commonly start suddenly, not gradually:

• Fever or feeling feverish/chills 
• Cough 
• Sore throat 
• Runny or stuffy nose 
• Muscle or body aches 
• Headaches 
• Fatigue (very tired) 
• Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in young children than in adults.
• **Specific for COVID: Loss or change of taste and smell

You can be sick without experiencing any of the symptoms or fever. You can also have these infections even if you were vaccinated. Because of the identical symptoms, it is impossible to tell the difference without a test.

How do upper respiratory infections spread? They spread by tiny droplets sent out in the air when sick people cough, sneeze or talk. The droplets can land in the mouth or nose of people nearby. Less common, infection can also be passed on if people touch surfaces with virus on, and then touch their eyes, nose or mouth. A person can be contagious some days before becoming sick with symptoms and up till several days after falling sick. In some cases a person can also continue to be contagious even after feeling well.

• Masking: People who have known or suspected exposure to COVID-19 should also wear a well-fitting mask around others for 10 days from their last exposure, regardless of vaccination status or history of prior infection.

How can you prevent upper respiratory infections? 

• Get vaccinated. 

• Stay away from sick people. 

• Cover your cough or sneeze. 

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. 

• Disinfect contaminated surfaces. 

• Wash your hands OFTEN with soap and water, or use a hand sanitizer. 

What if your child gets sick? CDC recommends the use of antiviral drugs for those patients who are at higher risk. High risk groups are the very young, elderly and people with chronic diseases. Contact your doctor as soon as possible to discuss this as the treatment should be started 1-2 days after the first symptoms. In most cases the body will fight the infection.

What to do if your child has an upper respiratory infection: Stay at home/keep your sick child at home until there is no fever for 24 hours without use of fever-reducing medication (the 24-hour-rule). Your child may return to school if fever free for 24 hours and the symptoms are better. You should be aware that the period of time for this may be the same, shorter or longer than the 5 days previously recommended for COVID.

Does my child need to quarantine? There is no requirement for a 5 day quarantine even if there has been a positive test for COVID. You should refer to the above recommendations. Keep your child well hydrated. Use of fever reducing medications can make your child feel a little more comfortable by comforting aches and pains and lowering the fever. 

Resources:

• CDC's updated guidance for Upper Respiratory Infections 
• CDC's hub for the flu - everything you need to know! 
• CDC's hub for COVID - everything you need to know about COVID!
• CDC's hub for RSV infection - everything you need to know about RSV!

PDF Version

By state law, it is required that all school children between the ages of 6 - 59 months must receive the influenza vaccination annually. Parents/guardians of children this age must submit proof of vaccination by uploading the immunization record to your child’s Magnus account (Immunization section) as soon as the child has received the vaccination - at the latest December 1. Lack of compliance will result in exclusion from school. If your child does not receive the vaccination due to medical or religious reasons, a medical exemption notice must be written by the pediatrician.

It is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED (though not required) that EVERYONE (any child older than 59 months and all adults) receives a flu vaccination. 
 

HEALTH OFFICE REMINDERS REGARDING TICKS, MOSQUITOES AND SUN

The CDC has seen a rise in tick and mosquito-borne diseases and recommends taking preventative measures for protection. The following is detailed information about the issues with links to CDC recommendations. 

Preventative Measures Regarding Ticks | Ticks

The CDC recommends using repellents on skin and clothing. Wearing light clothing with long sleeves and pants makes it easier to see the ticks and keep them off the skin. Tuck the pant legs into the socks and wear a hat.

When you come back in after time spent outside, it is recommended to take a bath/shower within two hours to wash off the ticks and perform a full body check to find any attached ticks. Check under the arms, in/around the ears, inside the belly button, behind the knees, between the legs, around the waist and in the hair.

If you need to remove a tick from your skin, grasp it with tweezers as close as possible to the skin and pull back. Dispose of the tick either in a sealed container, submerge in alcohol or flush it down the toilet. DO NOT CRUSH IT WITH YOUR FINGERS! Wash the site of the bite and your hands with alcohol, an iodine scrub or soap and water.

If you develop flu-like symptoms, a fever, chills, joint pain, aches and pain or a skin rash, you need to be checked out by your doctor.  It can take up to several weeks to develop symptoms after a tick bite.

Preventative Measures Regarding Mosquitoes | Mosquito Bites

Protect yourself and your family by using EPA-registered insect repellent, covering up and keeping mosquitoes outside your home. Apply protectant to your child before sending him/her to school or camp.

Preventative Measures Regarding Sun | Skin Cancer

It is recommended to seek the shade, use a UVA and UVB sunscreen with factor 15 or higher and wear sun protective clothing, a hat and sunglasses. Apply protectant to your child before sending it to school or camp. Along with the sun comes the heat! Drink plenty of fluids and stay hydrated.

The best way to prevent the spread of communicable diseases amongst our girls  at Stuart is to follow the 24 hour rule. Sometimes it can be a difficult decision of when  to keep your child home. Use the rules below to help make your decision easier.  If you need assistance, please feel free to contact the health department at 609-921-2330 x 4122 

FEVER: 

Any student with a temperature of 100 degrees or higher will be excluded from school and cannot  return to school until fever free for a 24 hour time period without use of medication that reduces  fever (ie. Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen). Body temperatures fluctuate throughout the day. Children  will sometimes wake up fever free because the body has been at rest all night therefore the body  temperature is lower. The fever will sometimes return once the child resumes regular activity. Please  be sure to check your child’s temperature several times throughout the day. 

VOMITING: 

Any student with vomiting will be excluded from school for 24 hours after they last vomited and should remain home until they have the  ability to tolerate a normal meal. 

STREP THROAT: (streptococcal infections) 

Students must be on antibiotic therapy and remain fever free for 24 hours prior to returning to school. 

PINK EYE: (Bacterial conjunctivitis) 

Students need to be on antibiotic therapy for 24 hours and have no purulent discharge from the eye  prior to returning to school. 

COUGH: 

If a student’s cough significantly interferes with her or her classmate’s ability to concentrate, she  should remain home. 

DIARRHEA: 

Students with three or more watery stools in a twenty-four hour period should stay at home for 24 hours after the final watery stool. 

KEEP GERMS OUT OF SCHOOL! 

What to do if you have lice

Lice Protocol

Stuart’s protocol regarding lice is based on the recommendations of the Center for Disease Control, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the New Jersey Department of Health.

Regarding the detection of nits (eggs) or lice (live bugs) in student hair:

• Should the school nurse discover a student with nits, lice, or both, the student may stay at school for the remainder of the day. Early dismissal is left to the parents’ discretion.
• Upon detection, the nurse will notify the student’s parents, educating them with regard to the appropriate immediate treatment. Treatment must begin on the day the nits or lice were discovered.
• Before attending classes the following morning, the affected student will report to the nurse’s office for a lice screening. If the nurse finds nit(s) or live lice the student may still attend school, however, the nurse will contact the parents and instruct them about further treatment. The nurse will check the child’s hair weekly during these three weeks and report any positive findings to the parents.

Screening of students:

With the exception of preschool and kindergarten, only close contacts and siblings of the infested student will be screened by the nurse. No mass screenings will be conducted

Communication:

The nurse will send a grade-wide email to parents of the affected student on the day that nits or lice were detected; while the individual class will be identified, the name of the affected student will not be shared with the teacher (s), students, or administration.

Questions or concerns:

Please contact the school nurse at nurse@stuartschool.org or 609.921.2330 x4122.

References:

CDC: http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/lice/head/schools.html

AAP: http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/126/2/392

11/2023

“Hand, Foot & Mouth Disease” is caused by Coxsackie virus, which is a common but very contagious virus, which can cause fever, malaise, sore throat, painful sores in the mouth and a skin rash on hands and feet. The disease is most common in children younger than 5 years old. Recovery is expected in 1-2 weeks.

There is no reason to be alarmed, but because it is a very contagious virus, we ask that you keep your child at home, should your child show any symptoms or have a fever.

There is no treatment for the virus. It is a matter of easing the symptoms and trying to prevent spread by performing careful hygiene.

Your child may return to school when there is no fever for 24 hours without use of Tylenol/Advil, he/she feels well enough to be in school and there is no uncontrolled drooling with mouth sores.

It is recommended to wash your hands often and practice good hygiene for your hands and surfaces in order to control spreading of the virus. Try to avoid close contact with the individual, who has the virus.

In the following link from CDC and NJDOH you can find more information about the disease.

https://www.cdc.gov/hand-foot-mouth/index.html 

https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/documents/topics/hfmd/hfmd_quick_glance.pdf