Nurses' Office
Hodgson Nurses' Office
Tracy McMullen, MEd, BSN, RN
Laurie Hackett, MSN, RN, NCSN
Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00-2:00
No medications will be given after 2:00 pm for safety reasons
Phone: 302-834-0655 / Fax: 302-838-4091
ALL STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE AN EMERGENCY CARD IN THE NURSES' OFFICE YEARLY. This is due on the second day of school.
WHEN TO STAY HOME
If your child is sick and does not feel well, do not send them to school!
Do not come in to be evaluated by the Nurse. This causes germs to spread. They should see their healthcare provider.
A parent note of illness is sufficient for an excused absence.
A student should stay home if they have:
- Fever of 100 degrees or higher - Remain home for 24 hours after their temperature returns to normal without the use of Tylenol, Advil, Motrin, or combination cold medications, such as Dayquil or Tylenol Cold
- Vomiting - Remain home for 24 hours after vomiting stops
- Diarrhea - Remain home for 24 hours after diarrhea stops
If there is an extended absence due to illness or injury, please make the Nurses' Office aware. Doctor’s notes with diagnosis are appreciated upon return to both the Attendance and Nurses' Offices.
ATTENTION 9TH GRADERS AND NEW ADMISSIONS TO NCCVT
A complete immunization record and physical is required upon entering school. Please send this information to the Nurse upon acceptance to NCCVT. Middle-school health records do not arrive to us in a timely manner and are often not current for their 9th grade requirements by the State of Delaware. The following is required for school:
- Physical within 2 years prior to entry into 9th grade
- 4-5 doses of DTaP, DTP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis)
- 1 Tdap booster at age 11-12 or prior to entry into 9th grade
- 3-4 doses of IPV (Polio)
- 2 doses of Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR)
- 3 doses of Hepatitis B vaccine
- 2 doses of Varicella or documented history of student having had Chicken Pox
- 1 PPD/Tuberculosis skin test with results or Tuberculosis Risk Assessment
- 1 dose of Meningococcal (Meningitis, Menactra)
If you are coming from out of state or a private school, the following is required:
- PPD/Tuberculosis skin test with results or Tuberculosis Risk Assessment within the last year.
NEMOURS LINK for those whose Pediatrician is with A.I. duPont/Nemours
It is encouraged to complete this form for us to be able to communicate with your child's healthcare provider network system in order to obtain physicals and immunization records to be in compliance with the State of Delaware's requirements to be in school. We could also obtain information on chronic health conditions; including medications and school plans.
MEDICATIONS
By law, students are not permitted to carry any medications with them at school. All medications are to be administered by the School Nurse. There must be a current Emergency Card on file which gives parental/guardian permission to administer over-the-counter medications. We have Ibuprofen, Tylenol, & Tums in the office. We do not provide allergy or cold medicine. If your child needs something other than these medications, see below.
Prescription Medication:
- Must be brought to Nurses’ Office first thing in the morning
- Must be in the original container displaying the current & correct pharmacy label
- Must have written permission from parent/guardian
Non-Prescription Medication:
- Must be brought to Nurses’ Office first thing in the morning
- Must be in the original container & not expired
- Must have written permission from parent/guardian
ASTHMA: including Exercise Induced or Seasonal
- A new Asthma Plan is recommended from their physician every school year
- The inhaler and Permission to Carry Form will be required to attend all field trips
- It is recommended to keep and extra inhaler (with pharmacy label) in the Nurses' Office.
FOOD/LATEX/INSECT ALLERGIES: Student with an allergy that requires the use of Benadryl or Epi-Pen 
- A new Allergy Plan is required from their physician every school year
- Epi & Permission to Carry Form will be required to attend all field trips
- Epi-Pen (with pharmacy label) Must be kept in the Nurses' Office
EPILEPSY 
Please inform the Nurses' Office if your child has a Seizure Disorder.
- A new Epilepsy Plan is required from their physician every school year
- Emergency medication must be kept in the Nurses' Office
- Daily medication: a few doses must be kept in the Nurses' Office
DIABETES
Please inform the Nurses' Office of your child's diagnosis prior to the start of the school year.
- A new Diabetic Plan is required from their physician every school year
We will need the following supplies:
- Emergency medication (with the pharmacy label) - see release form below
- Insulin for daily usage (with the pharmacy label)
- Extra vial/pen of insulin (with the pharmacy label) in case of an emergency
- Ketone strips
- Snacks and drinks for your child when glucose is low
- A few water bottles for your child when glucose is high
PHYSICAL EDUCATION LIMITATION/EXCLUSION 
Physical Education is a requirement for graduation. If, for some reason, a student cannot fully participate in physical education class, a physician's note is required. Both the Nurses' Office and Guidance must have this documentation. In an effort for the student to earn physical education credits, have the physician write how the student can participate in some capacity (walk, run, jog, or upper body strengthening/conditioning).
SPORTS INJURIES
All sports injuries need to be reported to the Athletic Trainer and School Nurse as soon as possible. Documentation of injuries needs to be given to both the Athletic Trainer and Nurse. Documentation would include any doctor/emergency room visits with the diagnosis, clearance note for sport, and any limitations.
FEMININE PRODUCTS
Please be aware that feminine products are located in classrooms and in the following bathrooms:
- The bathroom outside the Guidance Office
- The bathroom outside the Cafeteria
- The bathroom by the Detective's office, close to the Gym
- The bathroom upstairs by room #221
RESOURCES AND SUPPORT
Guidance for different types of Mental Health Diagnoses
School, National, and Community Mental Health Resources and Other Supports
SUBSTANCE ABUSE HELP
Below are helpful local websites in case someone you know needs help with substance use:
http://www.attackaddiction.org/
Helpline for English/Spanish Mental/Substance Abuse
Click the arrow to the right for Minor Illness Guidelines - Not to replace the advice of your physician
Fever
- Get extra rest and eat light meals.
- Drink extra fluids every 15-60 minutes.
- Ask your healthcare provider to recommend an over-the-counter medication to reduce fever. Do not take aspirin! It can cause Reye's Syndrome.
- If fever persists for more than 2 days, increases to over 102 degrees, or symptoms continue to worsen, contact your healthcare provider.
- No school until fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medications.
Upper Respiratory Infection (Cold Symptoms)
- Ask your healthcare provider to recommend an over-the-counter medication to ease symptoms. Do not take aspirin! It can cause Reye's Syndrome.
- Drink plenty of fluids.
- Use moist air from a vaporizer to help relieve congestion.
- Contact your healthcare provider if:
- breathing difficulties occur
- you cough up green or yellow phlegm that has a bad odor
- fever persists
- you feel sicker each day instead of feeling better
Nausea and Vomiting
- No solids for 8 hours.
- Clear liquids only (not milk) until 4 hours have passed without vomiting. Start with one tablespoon every 10 minutes. If vomiting does not occur, double the amount every hour. If vomiting does occur, allow the stomach to rest for 1 hour and then start again. The key is to gradually increase the amount of fluid until taking 8 oz every hour.
- Resume normal diet as soon as tolerated.
- Contact your healthcare provider if vomiting persists or if you suspect dehydration.
Diarrhea
- Drink water and/or sports drinks.
- Eat the BRATT diet–Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, Tea, and Toast.
- Resume normal diet as soon as possible.
- Contact your healthcare provider if cramps, diarrhea, or pain increases or persists or if you suspect dehydration.
Cuts, Abrasions, or Minor Burns
- Keep the affected area clean and dry.
- Change the bandage in 24 hours or sooner if it becomes soiled.
- Notify the healthcare provider if signs of infection develop such as swelling, red streaking, drainage or pus, pain, or fever.
- Make sure the last tetanus shot was within 10 years for minor injuries or 5 years for major cuts.
Bruises, Sprains, or Strains
- Elevate and rest the affected area of the body to reduce swelling and pain.
- Apply ice packs or cold compresses for 10 minutes as many times as possible to the injured area for the first 24 hours after the injury. Wrap the cold pack in a towel to minimize the risk of frostbite to the skin.
- Notify your doctor immediately if the injured area becomes grossly swollen, discolored, cold or numb, or if the injured limb is unable to bear moderate pressure or body weight.
- Ask your healthcare provider to recommend an over-the-counter medication to reduce pain and inflammation.
- Contact your family doctor or go to an emergency room if not better in 48 hours.
Head Injury
You should watch for any of the following signs of severe injury, in which case you should seek the advice of your healthcare provider as soon as possible.
- severe headache
- excessive drowsiness (unable to be awakened when asleep for 4 hours)
- nausea and/or vomiting
- doubled or blurred vision or pupils of different sizes
- inability to maintain erect posture, staggering, etc.
- unusual behavior, confusion, inappropriate anger
- convulsions or discharge from the ear