Our School Nurses
Table of contents
Immunization Requirements
School Physical
Lead Form
Medication Administration
Keeping Your Student Well
What to Do if Your Student is Ill
Cold or Flu
Parent Responsibilities
Chronic Health Condition Forms
Asthma Forms
Allergy Forms
Diabetic Forms
Seizure Forms
Additional Resources
ATTENTION 6th and 7th Grade Parents/Guardians
Please pay special attention to the required immunizations as your student prepares to enter 7th grade in the 2021-2022 school year. Maryland requires that your student has a Tdap and Meningococcal vaccination before the start of their 7th grade school year. Parents must provide proof of the required immunizations for 7th-grade students to be admitted to schools. Contact your school nurse with any questions.
Immunization Requirements
COVID & Childhood Vaccinations FAQs
The School Nurse reviews immunization records, per Maryland Immunization Laws. Students with incomplete immunizations must have proof of an appointment for required immunizations no later than 20 calendar days from the date of entrance. No student will be admitted to school unless they meet all requirements of the Maryland immunization laws.
Immunization requirements for the 2021-2022 school year are as follows:
Students Entering 6th Grade
- 3 doses of Diphtheria, Tetanus, & Pertussis Vaccine
- 3 doses of Polio Vaccine
- 2 doses of Measles, Mumps, & Rubella (MMR) Vaccine (after 12 months of age)
- 2 dose of Varicella (Chickenpox) Vaccine.** Physician documented proof of disease is accepted
- 3 doses of Hepatitis B Vaccine
Students Entering 7th Grade
- 1 dose of Meningococcal Vaccine
- 1 dose of Tdap Vaccine
- 3 doses of Diphtheria, Tetanus, & Pertussis Vaccine
- 3 doses of Polio Vaccine
- 2 doses of Measles, Mumps, & Rubella (MMR) Vaccine (after 12 months of age)
- 3 doses of Hepatitis B Vaccine
- 2 dose of Varicella (Chickenpox) Vaccine.** Physician documented proof of disease is accepted
** One dose of Varicella Vaccine after 12 months of age is required for a student younger than 13 years of age. Two doses of Varicella Vaccine after 12 months of age are required for unvaccinated students 13 years of age or older. Physician documented proof of disease is accepted.
Students Entering 8th Grade
- 1 dose of Meningococcal Vaccine
- 1 dose of Tdap Vaccine
- 3 doses of Diphtheria, Tetanus, & Pertussis Vaccine
- 3 doses of Polio Vaccine
- 2 doses of Measles, Mumps, & Rubella (MMR) Vaccine (after 12 months of age)
- 3 doses of Hepatitis B Vaccine
- 1 dose of Varicella (Chickenpox) Vaccine.** Physician documented proof of disease is accepted.
** One dose of Varicella Vaccine after 12 months of age is required for a student younger than 13 years of age. Two doses of Varicella Vaccine after 12 months of age are required for unvaccinated students 13 years of age or older. Physician documented proof of disease is accepted.
School Physical
In order for your student to enter a Maryland public school for the first time, a physical examination by a physician or certified nurse practitioner must be completed either nine months prior to entering the public school or six months after entering the system.
Lead Form
Maryland law required ALL public, prekindergarten, kindergarten, and first-grade students to have a DHMH 4620 Blood Lead Testing Certificate on file in the health record.
Maryland DHMH Blood Lead Testing Certificate
Medication Administration
If your child needs medication or medical procedures while in school please refer to the following forms.
IMPORTANT NOTE: A separate order form is needed for each medication/procedure and a new order is needed for each school year.
Guidelines for Parents Prescription Medication
Guidelines for Parents Over The Counter Medication
Parents, Legal Guardians, and Physician Prescriber Authorization - Medication Orders
Parents, Legal Guardians, and Physician Prescriber Authorization - Medical Procedures
Over The Counter Medication Authorization
Keeping Your Student Well
- Hand washing is the number one way to stop the spread of disease. Twenty seconds of soap and water scrubbing before meals and after bathroom breaks is a great way to start this healthy habit. Encourage this practice at home.
- Ensure adequate exercise and rest periods.
- Provide proper nutrition including a good breakfast.
- Encourage good daily hygiene, including brushing teeth.
- Review the rules of safe play.
What to Do if Your Student is Ill
While school attendance is vital to your student’s education, a sick child belongs at home. Please review the Sick Day Guidelines below to assist you in making that decision.
Send me to school if...
- I have a runny nose or just a little cough, but no other symptoms.
- I haven't taken any fever-reducing medicine for 24 hours, and I haven't had a fever during that time.
- I haven't thrown up or had any diarrhea for 24 hours.
Keep me home if...
- I have a temperature higher than 100°F.
- I'm throwing up or have diarrhea.
- My eyes are pink and crusty.
Call the doctor if...
- I have had a temperature higher than 100°F for more than 2 days.
- I've been throwing up or having diarrhea for more than 2 days.
- I've had the sniffles for more than a week and they aren't getting any better.
- I still have asthma symptoms after using my asthma medicine (and call 911 if I'm having trouble breathing after using an inhaler).
Is it a Cold or the Flu?
Sometimes it can be hard to tell the difference between illnesses with similar symptoms. The following chart can be used to assist but is not an all-inclusive list nor meant to be used for diagnostic purposes:
Symptoms | Coronavirus† (COVID-19) | Cold | Flu | Seasonal Allergies | Asthma |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Length of Symptoms | 7-25 days | Less than 14 days | 7-14 days | Several Weeks | Can start quickly or last for hours or longer* |
Cough | Common (usually dry) | Common (mild) | Common (usually dry) | Rare (usually dry unless it triggers asthma) | Common (can be dry or wet/productive) |
Wheezing | No | No** | No** | No** | Common |
Shortness of breath | Sometimes | No** | No** | No** | Common |
Chest tightness/pain | Sometimes | No** | No** | No** | Common |
Rapid breathing | Sometimes | No** | No** | No** | Common |
Sneezing | No | Common | No | Common | No*** |
Runny or stuffy nose | Rare | Common | Sometimes | Common | No*** |
Sore throat | Sometimes | Common | Sometimes | Sometimes (usually mild) | No*** |
Fever | Common | Short fever period | Common | No | No |
Feeling tired and weak | Sometimes | Sometimes | Common | Sometimes | Sometimes |
Headaches | Sometimes | Rare | Common | Sometimes (related to sinus pain) | Rare |
Body aches and pains | Sometimes | Common | Common | No | No |
Diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting | Sometimes | Rare | Sometimes | No | No |
Chills | Sometimes | No | Sometimes | No | No |
Loss of taste or smell | Sometimes | Rare | Rare | Rare | No |
Your symptoms may vary. †Information is still evolving. Many people may not have symptoms. *If your quick-relief medicine is not helping your asthma symptoms, or if you are in the Red Zone on your Asthma Action Plan, call your health care provider or seek medical attention immediately. **Allergies, colds and flues can all trigger asthma which can lead to shortness of breath, chest tightness/pain, and rapid breathing. COVID-19 is the only one associated with shortness of breath on its own. ***If you have allergic asthma, you may have symptoms of both asthma and allergies at the same time.
Sources: Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Parent/Legal Guardian Responsibilities:
- Report illnesses to the nurse or office. Taking the proper measures to prevent the spread of Illnesses that are contagious is a vital part of keeping schools and students healthy.
- Alert your child’s teacher and the school nurse of any health conditions that may impact your child’s learning, daily activities, or safety at school. Medical documentation of conditions is encouraged and sometimes required.
- Inform the nurse of any health-related procedures, or changes in your child’s medication.
- Update the school with any change in the phone number(s) and emergency contact(s) so the nurse can reach you when needed.
Chronic Health Condition Forms
If your child has a chronic health condition the school nurse may need the following forms related to the condition completed. Please contact your school nurse if the condition is not found on this list or if you have any questions.
Asthma Forms
Emergency Action Plan - Asthma
Allergy Forms
Diabetic Forms
Diabetes: Parent(s)/Legal Guardian(s) Responsibilities Fact Sheet
Diabetes: Student Responsibilities Fact Sheet
Maryland Diabetes Medical Management Plan-Health Care Provider Order Form
Maryland Diabetes Medical Management Plan Guidance
Parent/Legal Guardian Diabetes Questionnaire
Emergency Action Plan - Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Sugar)
Emergency Action Plan – Hyperglycemia (High Blood Sugar)
Individualized School Health Equipment and Supplies List For Management of Diabetes at School
Assessment of Diabetes Self-Management Skills and Authorization
Seizure Forms
Emergency Action Plan - Seizures
Parents - Legal Guardians Questionnaire for Students with Seizures
Additional Resources
St. Mary's County Health Department