A Christ-Centered Community Committed to Academic Excellence
My name is Joanne Smith and I am the certified school nurse for Saint Cecilia Catholic School. I have been a nurse since 1992 and have worked in a variety of settings from medical-surgical nursing, the step down unit, the recovery room, pain management, pre-admission testing and a few surgery centers.
Students learn best when they are healthy. School nurses are dedicated to promoting and protecting the health of the students while they are in school. Students are encouraged to develop good health habits that will last a lifetime. School Nurses help to identify and provide support for health conditions that adversely impact learning. I can be reached by phone @ (215) 725-9110 or email @ jsmith3@philasd.org .Please read through the following to see if your child is in need of any information that is needed to be kept in their medical file.
PHYSICAL EXAMS: These are needed for kindergarten, 6th grade and any new admission. Preferably the exam must be completed from June 1- September for the coming school year. I understand it is hard to do with insurance restrictions and I am willing to work with you as long as you make me aware and send me proof of an upcoming appointment. Blank physicals will no longer be sent home, unless a child comes to the health room requesting one. There is a link provided here to print out the physical at home. Please send them back into school with your student so it can go into their medical chart. It is hard to keep track of any paperwork that is sent in by email since they can fall into a spam folder etc.IMMUNIZATIONS: All students must be up to date with their immunizations as mandated by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Students who fail to meet the requirements will receive a written notice. The student will be at risk to be excluded from school until the immunization is received and verified by a doctor's note. All students must have a state immunization card on file at our school. The mandated immunizations needed are on a link provided here.
HEALTH ISSUES: Students with any identified medical issues, including but not limited to cardiac conditions, asthma, ADHD, seizures, diabetes etc. must have this information on file in the nurse's office. This information must be updated and recorded every September.
It is in the best interest/safety of your child to inform ALL of their teachers of any health concerns that would impact your child’s school performance.
MEDICATIONS: All medications, prescription and over the counter that your child may require during the school day must have a medical order from the doctor. The school nurse is only allowed to administer tylenol, motrin and hydrocortisone (only with permission from the parent/guardian on the S865 form). School nurses do not have permission to administer any kind of creams or allergy medication without an order. All other medications must be brought into school by the parent/guardian in the original pharmacy container labeled with your child's name, frequency and dose of medication. No medication is to be brought in by the students, dropped off with any other staff member. It must be given to the nurse. This is to ensure all the proper paperwork is accompanied with the medication.In grades 4-8 we allow students to carry their inhalers and epi pens. The doctor must specify that the student is able to. There is a form that the parents need to fill out and that will be given to them when the medication is dropped off. If there is no order for a medication, the parent/guardian is welcome to come to school to administer the medication to the student.
All medication must be picked up at the end of the school year. You will be notified the last day that the nurse will be here. If the medication is not picked up it is disposed of properly.
ILLNESS AND INJURY: The nurses all have set office hours throughout the day to see sick and injured students. These hours are necessary to complete state mandated screenings, immunization compliance, documentation of all health data of all the students in their schools, preparation of health care plans, medication administration and/or medical treatments that are necessary, consultations with physicians, parents, and other caregivers, etc. Emergencies will always be seen at any time throughout the school day. Please do not send children to school when they are sick. The nurse is not permitted to diagnose any conditions that happen at home or school. Also the nurse is not able to provide treatments for injuries that occur outside of school hours and not on school grounds. Parents are responsible to have their child’s doctor diagnose and treat all illnesses and injuries that occur during non-school hours.GYM: If your child has an injury/surgery a note is required from a doctor that states their limitations and restrictions. When the student is cleared a note is required or the student will NOT be allowed to participate in gym,
HEALTH SCREENINGS: Screenings are state mandated and can be performed by the school nurse or an outside provider such as Salus University.
*If you prefer for your child to not be screened at school, please send in a letter stating preference. This letter must be received by the second Monday in September of each school year. If you opt out, please provide a physical that shows the child was assessed for vision, hearing, height, weight, and/or scoliosis. If a letter is not received, your child WILL be screened.HEALTHY CHILDREN ACHIEVE GREATER ACADEMIC SUCCESS. Parents please send your child prepared to learn in the classroom. To avoid unpleasant teasing from peers, encourage good hygiene and grooming skills. Be sure your child eats breakfast, receives the appropriate hours of sleep that is needed and is free from any contagious illnesses.
ABSENCES: Any student who is absent for 3 days or more MUST have a doctor's note to return to school. This note should go to the teacher, not the nurse's office to document the absence. If your child is experiencing excessive absences throughout the school year, your physician must provide documentation addressing your child’s health issues.
Several forms are available for you to download at home and print to utilize when, and if, needed.
Thank you for all your cooperation! Let’s work together for the health and safety of our children.
School Nurse
Joanne G. Smith, RN-BSN, CSN, MAeD