GMHS - Nurse

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:

Supply Update - Extended Expiration Dates for current lots of EpiPen® 0.3 mg Auto-Injectors and its Authorized Generic

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.

View the flyer here..

Staying Healthy and Safe Frequently Asked Questions

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

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 9th through 12th 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.

Physical Examination Form

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.

Nurse