School Nurse

THE ROLE OF A SCHOOL NURSE

As the school nurse, I am responsible for implementing health services for students and staff at Harmony Township School. These services include: first aid for illness and injury; administration of medication; health screenings; assisting the school physician with physical exams; maintaining and updating state-mandated student immunization records; determining eligibility for free and reduced lunch program; training volunteer staff members to be delegates for students with EpiPen orders; providing staff training regarding chronic illnesses; communication with parents/physicians regarding student absences; networking with local churches and Lions Club for holiday giving services.

If you have a concern or need and do not know whom to contact, don't hesitate to call me; if I can not help you directly, I will put you in touch with someone who can.

Jamie Kovalsky
908-859-1001, ext 190
kovalskyj@htesd.org

I am usually in the building from 8:00AM until 3:30-4:00PM;
I check my voicemail frequently throughout the day; you can leave a message for me at any time, day or night.
I look forward to hearing from you.

ANNUAL HEALTH SCREENINGS

Annual screenings include:

• Height/Weight/BMI - each grade level
• Blood Pressure - each grade level
• Vision/Hearing - Vision: Biennially for students K through 8. Hearing: Grades K-3 and Grade 7
• Scoliosis (for age 10 and older) - Grades 5 and 7

Parents may request an immediate screening if they suspect a problem at any time during the school year.
Referrals will be sent home if any screening results are not "within normal limits for age".

SCOLIOSIS SCREENINGS

Scoliosis screenings will be conducted on all students in the 5th and 7th grades. If your child has had a pre-participation physical for archery, they will not need additional screening.
If you have any questions, please contact me!

MEDICATION POLICY

Please refer to Medication Policy in the Parent-Student Handbook.

• Any prescription or over-the-counter medication to be administered to a student in school must be accompanied by a written physician order and must be in its original drug store container, properly labeled with the student's name. 
• The only medication that may be carried and self-administered by a student is that of an emergency nature, such as asthma inhaler or epinephrine for history of anaphylaxis, with healthcare provider and parental permission.

STUDENT ABSENCES

Student Absences: Please notify the Health Offices of all absences. Please do NOT enter in Pick Up Patrol.

Anticipated Absence:  Please notify me in advance of your child's absence from school; for example, vacation, medical care, family issue.  If I know ahead of time, I will not call you on the day your child is absent.

Unexpected Absence: Please notify me as soon as you are aware that your child will not be attending school on any given day; please be specific if you are reporting an illness; if your child's name is on the absentee list, and I have not heard from you, I will attempt to reach you personally. It is important for your child's safety that the school knows that you are aware of your child's absence.

Serious Medical Absence:  If your child is ill enough to visit your physician, please ask for a return to school note; it would be helpful for me to know the reason for the medical absence, and the doctor will only include that information if you request it.

EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION

Please keep student emergency contact information current in the parent portal.

• If home, cell or work numbers change, please notify me as soon as possible.

WHEN TO KEEP YOUR CHILD HOME

AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE

Zufall Health Centers offers affordable health care at locations near you for families with Medicaid, Family Care or are uninsured.  Fees for patients without insurance are based on income.

VISIT ZUFALLHEALTH.ORG OR FIND MORE LOCATIONS

DENTAL CLINIC DIRECTORY

Available on-line at: www.dentalclinics.nj.gov

The NJ Dental Clinic Directory is a reference tool that may be used to provide a central source of information on public dental clinic services in NJ.  These clinic services are primarily provided by local health departments, hospitals, and Federally Qualified Health Centers .

KNOW THE 10 WARNING SIGNS OF PRIMARY IMMUNODEFICIENCY

Primary Immunodeficiency (PI) causes children and adults to have infections that come back frequently or are unusually hard to cure. 

1:500 persons are affected by one of the known Primary Immunodeficiencies.

If you or someone you know is affected by two or more of the following Warning Signs, speak to a physician about the possible presence of an underlying Primary Immunodeficiency.

LEARN MORE

What is sudden cardiac death in the young athlete? 

• How common and what are the warning signs?

GET THE BASIC FACTS HERE

FLU AND YOU FACTS

Warren County Public Health Nursing Agency
East Washington Ave, Washington, NJ 07882
908-835-2063

Zufall Health Center @ Hackettstown Hospital, 908-452-5306
See flyers on Community Bulletin Board at HTS

Offers reduced fees based on income; medical and dental services available
Located in Hackettstown at 653 Willow Grove St, Suite 1450
phone: 908-452-5366.

Provides affordable medical care to men, women and children check-ups, treatment of illness and injury, preventive care, referrals to   specialists, diagnostic services accept Medicaid, Medicare, NJ Family Care, Private insurances fees for patients without insurance based on income/sliding fee scale.