Health and Wellness

Smiling kidThe health rooms at ESM are staffed part time each week by a registered nurse. Dividing her time evenly between our two campuses, she oversees and administrates:

  • Health services offered to our students and staff
  • Required vision and hearing screenings
  • Health record management
  • Emergency treatment
  • Medication administration

Some health related documents are available on this site and may be downloaded by using the links in the expandable menus further down this page. If you have specific questions or concerns, please contact our school nurse through either school office or by clicking on her contact information in her profile at the bottom of this page. You can also view our public Wellness Policy by clicking on the Wellness Policy button below. 

When to keep kids home from school

  • If your child is sick with flu-like symptoms (vomiting, diarrhea, fever, sore throat, etc.) or has COVID or RSV, we ask that they not return to school for at least 24 hours after their symptoms or fever are gone.  
  • If fever is 100.4 degrees or higher, the child must stay at home or will be sent home from school. They must be fever free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication like acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
  • If a child vomits at home or at school for suspected illness they need to stay at home or will be sent home. They can return to school when they've kept food and drink down for 24 hours.
  • If a child has coughing that won't stop.
  • If a child has diarrhea with "accidents," is bloody, or results in greater than two bowel movements above what the child normally experiences, wait 24 hours after symptoms have resolved to return to school.
  • If a child has respiratory symptoms that are worsening or not improving.
  • If a child has a visible rash, spots, or bumps on their skin they must have a doctor's note to return to school.

In addition, the following can help prevent the transmission of illnesses:

  • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If one is not available, please cough or sneeze into your sleeve. Throw any tissues away after use.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water. If none is available at the time, use hand sanitizer until you can get to a sink.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
  • Get a good night's sleep to help boost your immune system.

Medication Guidelines

In order for us to give a student any medication during the school day whether it is a prescription or over-the counter drug, we must have a "Medication Consent Form" from a parent or guardian on file. No child is allowed to carry any medication with them (this includes Tylenol, Advil, cough drops, etc.) The only exceptions are inhalers and Epi-pens and the proper paperwork must be on file in the school office from your child's physician.

Over-The-Counter Medications

When bringing in over-the-counter medications such as pain relievers, cough drops, allergy tablets, etc. please keep the following in mind:

  • All Medicine must be in the original container.
  • Please make sure the expiration date is current for the entire school year (we cannot give expired meds at school).
  • Due to space limitations, please bring in small bottles that contain approximately 25 pills.
  • New unopened container are preferable.
  • Cough Drops are an over-the-counter medication and as such can not be kept in a book bag, pocket, or desk.
  • If you have any questions, please contact the school nurse, by clicking on the email below. 

Medications for After School Hours Including Extended Care, Clubs and Sports 

Medications that are brought into school for your child, whether prescription or over-the-counter, are not available during Extended Care, sport practices, club meetings or games. If your child needs any emergency medication, please be sure to supply those items to the adults in charge of that program. This includes inhalers and epi-pens. These programs do not have access to our medications used during the school day.

Helpful Links

Here are some helpful links for parents regarding health and wellness:

https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2024/p0301-respiratory-virus.html

https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/how-to-boost-your-immune-system

https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/hear.html

Mrs. Erin Neuenschwander

School Nurse