School Nurse

The school health office is designed to provide care to students who become ill or are injured while in school. 

Accidents or illnesses that occur on the bus or on school property should be reported to the school nurse immediately.

A cumulative health file is maintained for each student. This file includes notations of past illnesses, results of physical examinations, and other pertinent health information. Vision, hearing, and postural screenings are conducted in kindergarten through grade twelve according to state guidelines. Should any deviations from the accepted norms be discovered, parents and guardians will be informed. 

A child will not be allowed, as the case may be, to begin or continue in district schools unless health assessments are performed as required. Students transferring into the district must provide evidence of required Connecticut vaccinations, immunizations, and health assessments at enrollment and prior to school attendance.

Staying Home from School

To safeguard the health of all students, we ask parents/guardians to monitor their children for possible communicable diseases. Students should stay home if they have:

  • Fever over 100.4

  • Vomited in the past 24 hours; more than 1 episode of diarrhea

  • Undiagnosed rash

  • Conjunctivitis (pink eye) with discharge

  • An active infestation of head lice (live lice on head)

  • An undiagnosed skin wound, sore, or lesion that appears infected (red, swollen, draining fluid).

  • A communicable illness

Students must remain home for 24 hours after an elevated temperature returns to normal without the use of medication. The 24 hour rule applies to vomiting and diarrhea as well. 

Students must remain home for 24 hours after their first dose of antibiotic for the treatment of strep throat. 

Students must remain home until adequately treated for head lice, scabies, or other infestation, communicable illness, or skin infection. A physician’s note may be required for return to school based on nursing judgment. 

Picture of Ms. Turtoro

Julia Turtoro
Nurse
jturtoro@rsd20.org

Excuse from PE/physical activities

Excuse from PE requires a doctor’s note submitted to the health office. The note should describe specific limitations and the duration of absence from PE and physical activities. Note, being excused from PE for one day may be possible with a note from a parent/guardian, however this is subject to judgment and approval of the school nurse.

Food Allergies

The school is committed to providing a safe environment for students with food allergies and to support parents regarding food allergy management. A plan based upon guidelines promulgated by the State Department of Education will be implemented for each student for the management of students with life-threatening food allergies and glycogen storage disease.

Substitutions to the regular meal provided by the school will be made for students who are unable to eat school meals because of their disabilities, when that need is certified in writing by a physician. Meal services will be provided in the most integrated setting appropriate to the needs of the disabled student. An Individualized Health Care Plan (IHCP) and an Emergency Care Plan (ECP) shall be developed and implemented for students identified with food allergies. Such students may also be eligible for accommodations and services under Section 504 and special education law.

A student with glycogen storage disease is permitted to have a parent/guardian or a person they so designate to provide food or dietary supplements on school grounds during the school day.

A student with an allergic condition may retain possession of an EpiPen or similar device while receiving school transportation services.