Gorham High School Health and Wellness Page
School Nurse - Joyce Larou Phone 222-1105 Email
Health Forms (all are in .pdf format)
Gorham School Department - Health Services
There are many important health needs recognized in school-age children, therefore many state laws and Board of Education policies have been developed to promote the health and safety of these children. It is the goal of the Gorham Health Services Department, to carry out these policies and to identify preventative measures to promote wellness in the school community.
The School Health Dept. is staffed by professional nurses, who cover Gorham High School, Gorham Middle School, Narragansett, White Rock, and Village Schools. Please contact the school nurse at your childÕs school for any health concerns or questions.
Accidents
All accidents on the school premises or at a school function, except those requiring basic first aid will be reported to a parent. If the student needs follow up care at home or at the hospital, the parent is responsible for transporting the student (or their designated emergency contact person). For serious medical emergencies, the rescue department will be called.
Allergies
The school nurse will ask parents of students with allergies to complete an allergy action plan in collaboration with the childÕs physician on an annual basis. Students who require emergency medications, such as inhalers or Epipens, may self-carry with the written permission of their physician and parent. Parents will work with the nurse to set up instructions regarding snacks, meal choices, and field trip concerns at the start of each school year. There are students in the district who are latex allergic; therefore the only balloons allowed in the school building are Mylar balloons (NO LATEX BALLOONS).
Communicable Diseases
Students with diseases that are contagious/infectious shall be excluded from school until signs of contagion are past. Exclusions are as follows:
Chicken Pox- until all lesions have crusted over or are dry, usually 5-7 days, or longer
Conjunctivitis- 24 hours after medication started or MD note
Impetigo- 24 hours after medication started or MD note
Pertussis- MD note needed
Measles-MD note needed
Scabies- may return after treatment has been completed
Strep- 24 hours after medication started
Ringworm-24 hours after medication started
5ths Disease-NO exclusion necessary, but notify the Health Office of the illness
Head Lice- In Accordance with guidance from the Center for Disease Control, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Harvard School of Public Health, and the National Association of School Nurses regarding head lice infestations, the following guidelines will direct our actions:
PLEASE REPORT ALL COMMUNICABLE DISEASES TO US!
Emergency Card
Each year every studentÕs parent or guardian must complete an emergency form, during the first week of school. This form includes names, phone numbers of emergency contacts, medical information such as allergies or chronic conditions, physicians to contact, and rescue information. The information you provide annually will be shared with school personnel as appropriate to ensure the safety of your child.
Health Screenings
Each year the Health Service Department will complete the following health assessments:
Parents may notify our department if they do not want these screenings done. All students who do not pass the first screening will be re-screened at a later date. Once the second screening is completed, the nurse will send written notification to parents those who did not pass the second screening.
Illness/Dismissal
Please notify the school office if your child is ill and will not be attending school. A student who becomes ill at school will be dismissed only to the specific people listed on the emergency card unless the school is instructed by the parent to make other arrangements. All students who are ill at school should be seen by the school nurse or school secretary in the nurseÕs absence prior to dismissal. Students may not notify parents they are ill via text or cell phone call during school hours. The phone call home should be made form the main office or nurseÕs office. Following this procedure allows us to track common illnesses.
Immunizations
Current Maine State Law for children attending public schools requires:
or
Immunization dates or an annual exemption letter for medical or philosophical reasons must be on file as follows:
Additionally, the current recommendation from the Center for Disease Control for adolescents includes:
Medications
Please note the medication policy and permission form located in this handbook.
Physical Exams
Health Services encourages parents to forward physical exam records to the school nurse when a student has been seen by his/her primary care provider. We will routinely send home reminder notices in grades K, 4, 7, 10 if we do not receive documentation of an exam for our health records. A physical examination provides the school with valuable information about the health status of your child and is an important part of the health record. The Gorham School Department is not responsible for providing physical examinations for students. The Athletic Department requires a physical every 2 years in grades 6-12 for any student who is playing a school sport. Please keep a copy on hand of your childÕs physical exam report so that it is readily available for any sports season.
Student Health Records
Student health information both written and oral is confidential. The information will only be shared to enhance the educational process of the student by understanding any underlying health problem. Throughout the school year, medical alert lists are distributed to faculty and staff listing allergies, medications, and chronic conditions of the students meeting these guidelines.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the health of your child please contact your school nurse.