Nurse

Please report all student absences and tardies through the school’s attendance line 📞 or by email 📧. When leaving a message, include your child’s full name (please spell the last name), grade, teacher, and reason for the absence.

• You may report absences in Genesis under the Attendance tab. The Notify Office option is used for absences or tardies, while the Pickup option is used for early dismissals. For early dismissals, students must still be signed out at the Main Office by an authorized adult with valid ID.
   
• Attendance calls are for reporting absences only. Please do not leave homework requests on this line - contact your child’s teacher directly.
   
• If your child will be out for more than three days due to illness, a doctor’s note is required to return to school.
   
• Children must be fever-free for 24 hours without medication before returning. If your child tests positive for COVID, please notify the school nurse 📞 so return-to-school guidance can be provided.
   
• If you are planning a family vacation during the school year, please send written notice to your child’s teacher and the Main Office in advance.

If your child needs to take medication during the school day, the following rules apply:

1. Forms: A completed WTPS Request for Pupil Medication to be Taken at School form, signed by both the physician and parent/guardian, is required for all medications—prescription and over-the-counter (Tylenol, Motrin, Benadryl, Tums, cough drops, etc.). Specialized forms are also required for students with asthma or life-threatening allergies, including Epinephrine.
2. Packaging: Medication must be in the original container with a current pharmacy or manufacturer’s label, including your child’s name, medication name, dosage, and how often it is to be given. You may request an extra labeled container from your pharmacist for school use.
3. Delivery: Medication must be brought to school by a parent/guardian. Students may not carry or keep any medications, including cough drops, in the classroom.
4. Check-In: Please call the nurse before bringing in medication to be sure she is available. Controlled medications will be counted and signed in by both the nurse and the parent/guardian at drop-off.
    

Medication forms are available in the nurse’s office or can be downloaded here: 🔗

Asthma

• Asthma Action Plan
• Asthma Treatment Plan
   

Diabetes

• Diabetes Emergency Plan
   
• Diabetes Management Plan
   

Epinephrine & Allergies

• Allergy/Anaphylaxis Action Plan
   
• Epinephrine Delegation Form

• Food Allergies:  If your child has a life-threatening food allergy, please inform the nurse immediately so that an Allergy/Anaphylaxis Action Plan and Epinephrine Delegation Form can be completed.
   

Home Instruction

• Parent Guidelines for Home Instruction (HI-1)

• Home Instruction Application and Services Plan

• Letter to Student’s Physician (HI-2)
   
• Student’s Physician Verification (HI-3)
   

Medication

• Student Medication Administration Form
   

Physicals & Dental

• Dental Examination Form
   
• Physical Examination Form (new students)

In accordance with New Jersey state guidelines, the school nurse conducts the following health screenings each year:

• Height, Weight, and Blood Pressure – all students, grades K–5
   
• Body Mass Index (BMI) – all students
   
• Vision – Kindergarten, 2nd, and 4th grades
   
• Hearing – Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grades
   
• Scoliosis – 5th grade students
   

Screenings are performed throughout the school year. If you have concerns about your child’s vision, hearing, or other health needs, please contact the school nurse 📞📧, and an additional screening can be arranged.

All new students entering Washington Township Schools must provide documentation of a physical examination within 30 days of enrollment. A medical exam conducted within the past 365 days may be used to meet this requirement.

It is also recommended that students receive a well-child exam during each developmental stage:

• Early Childhood: Pre-K through Grade 3
   
• Pre-Adolescence: Grades 4–6
   
• Adolescence: Grades 7–12
   

Please remember to update the Health Office with any new health information, immunizations, or physical findings.

Download the WTPS Physical Examination Form here: 🔗

Our goal is to keep students healthy, safe, and ready to learn. Please keep your child home if they:

• Have a fever of 100°F or higher (must be fever-free for 24 hours without medication before returning).
   
• Are vomiting or have diarrhea more than once.
   
• Have a severe cough, sore throat, or ear pain that makes them uncomfortable or may indicate infection.
   
• Have pink eye (conjunctivitis) with redness and discharge (must be on antibiotics for 24 hours before returning if prescribed).
   
• Have a rash that could be contagious (such as ringworm — treatment must begin before returning, and the area must be covered).
• Have head lice — your child may return to school once treatment has been started and live lice are no longer present.

If your child is sick for more than three days, a doctor’s note is required to return.

Please make sure the school can reach you during the day and that an emergency contact is on file. When in doubt, check with your child’s doctor before sending them to school.

What Your School Nurse Does

• Ensures students meet state requirements for immunizations and physical exams
   
• Conducts health screenings (vision, hearing, height/weight, blood pressure, scoliosis)
   
• Administers medication with proper documentation
   
• Provides first aid and communicates with parents if a child is ill or injured
   
• Serves as a health resource for students, staff, and families
   

What Your School Nurse Does Not Do

• Diagnose or treat illnesses or serious injuries
   
• Give medication without proper forms and physician/parent permission
   
• Replace care provided by your family health care provider