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
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. 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 school. Contact your school nurse with any questions.
Immunization Requirements
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 2022-2023 school year are as follows:
Students Entering 6th Grade 2022 - 2023
Immunization Requirements - K-6
Immunizations Requirements - K-6 - Spanish
Students Entering 7th and 8th Grade
2022 - 2023 Immunization Requirements - 7 - 12
2022 - 2022 Immunization Requirements - 7 - 12 - Spanish
School Physical
Maryland law requires a Physical Examination completed by a physician or certified nurse practitioner nine months prior to or six months after entering a Maryland public school for the first time.
Lead Form
Maryland law requires all public, Pre-kindergarten, Kindergarten, and First Grade students to have a Maryland MDH Blood Lead Testing Certificate.
Potassium Iodide Form
The St. Mary’s County Health Department developed the plan to distribute Potassium Iodide (KI). The Governor of Maryland and the County Commissioners have made the decision to have Potassium Iodide (KI) made available to those residents of the designated Emergency Planning Zone (EPZ) (approximately 10-mile radius) of the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant. Potassium Iodide (KI) has been made available to the schools in the EPZ, which include: Green Holly Elementary, Town Creek Elementary, Hollywood Elementary, and Esperanza Middle schools. Parents must complete the Potassium Iodide Permission Form prior to the administration of Potassium Iodide in the event of a nuclear emergency.
Medication Administration
In general, the administration of medication to students, while they are in school, is to be discouraged. Treatment schedules that allow doses of medication to be given at times other than during school hours are preferred and encouraged. When, in the opinion of the healthcare provider, it is necessary for the student to be given medication during school hours medication and medical procedure forms can be found here.
IMPORTANT NOTE: A separate order form is needed for each medication/procedure, and a new order is needed for each school year.
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.
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.
Send me back to school when...
- My symptoms have significantly improved or resolved.
- I haven't had a fever for 24 hours and have not had any fever-reducing medication.
- I haven't thrown up or had diarrhea.
- If antibiotics have been prescribed, I have been taking them for at least 24hr.
Call the doctor if...
- I’ve 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 contagious Illnesses is vital to 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 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 additional forms related to the condition. Please contact your school nurse if the condition is not found or if you have any questions.