Contact:
General Nurse Email
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Phone Number: (301) 863-4001
FAX Number: (301) 863-4006
P. Michaels
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(301) 863-4001 ext. 18106
Nicole Hickey
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(301) 863-4001 ext. 18107
EpiPen information:
Back to School Vaccination Clinic
If your student needs vaccines for this school year, the St. Mary's County Health Department will be holding a Back to School Vaccination Clinic.
Dates:
September 18, 19, 23, and 26
Times:
8:30 am - 3:00 pm (by appointment only)
Location:
St. Mary's County Health Department located at 21580 Pearbody Street, Leonardtown, MD 20650
Vaccines Available:
- Tdap (tetanus, diptheria, whopping cough)
- Meningococcal (meningitis)
- HPV (human papillomavirus)
- Varicella (chicken pox)
Schedule your appointment online here.
Staying Healthy and Safe Frequently Asked Questions
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
Additional Resources
Immunization Requirements
The School Nurse reviews immunization records, which must be in accordance with Maryland immunization laws. Students with incomplete immunizations must have proof of an appointment date for needed immunizations no later than 20 calendar days from the date of entrance. No student will be admitted to school unless all requirements of the immunization law are met. Immunization requirements for the 2019-2020 school year are as follows:
Students Entering Grades 7th through 12th
- 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 or physician documented proof of disease
(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 is required for unvaccinated students 13 years of age or older, or physician documented proof of disease)
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
Following are the SMCPS guidelines regarding medication at school and the medication/procedure order 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 Physican Prescriber Authorization - Medication Orders
Parents, Legal Guardians and Physican 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. Your child will perform better in school if he/she has good attendance. To keep your child well:
- 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 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?
It is sometimes hard to tell the difference between a cold and the flu. The following is a guide but is neither an all-inclusive list nor meant to be used for diagnostic purposes:
| Signs and Symptoms | Influenza | Cold |
|---|---|---|
| Symptom onset | Abrupt | Gradual |
| Fever | Usual | Rare |
| Aches | Usual | Slight |
| Chills | Fairly Common | Uncommon |
| Fatigue, Weakness | Usual | Sometimes |
| Sneezing | Sometimes | Common |
| Stuffy Nose | Sometimes | Common |
| Sore throat | Sometimes | Common |
| Chest discomfort, cough | Sometimes | Mild to moderate |
| Headache | Common | Rare |
Parent/Guardian Responsibilities:
- Report illnesses to the nurse and/or office when your student is absent. There are some illnesses that are contagious and we would like to take proper measures to prevent the spread to others.
- Alert your student’s teacher and the school nurse of any health conditions that may impact your student’s learning, daily activities, and/or safety at school. Medical documentation of conditions/diagnoses is encouraged and sometimes required.
- Inform the nurse of any health-related procedures, and/or changes in your student’s medication.
- Update the school with any change in phone number(s) and emergency contact(s) so the nurse can reach you as needed.
Chronic Health Condition Forms
Following are some of the forms that the school nurse may ask you to complete or have completed by your student’s health care provider. This is not an all-inclusive list so please contact your school nurse with any questions.
Asthma Forms
Emergency Action Plan - Asthma
Allergy Forms
Insect Allergy Emergency Action Plan
Food Allergy Emergency Action Plan
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
Additional Resources
St. Mary's County Health Department