Parent Tips for a Safe and Healthy School Year for Children

1. If you are new in the area, register your children in a timely manner, so there is no delay in school entrance.
   
   
2. Keep up with state requirements for immunizations and physical examinations. Be prompt in obtaining these.
   
   
3. Always keep phone numbers contacts, and places of work current and up-to-date with the school nurse.
   
   
4. Have a back up plan in place in the event that you may not be accessible to your child especially if you are a working parent.
   
   
5. Keep the school nurse updated on health issues of your child.
   
   
6. If your student is on medication or has particular treatments required during school hours, contact the school nurse to learn how this can be planner and provided.
   
   
7. Keep children at home when they are ill. Administration of medication before school only delays the reappearance of symptoms and does not remove communicability and contagiousness. Rule of thumb: Child should be fever free for 24 hours before returning to school.
   
   
8. Have children wear appropriate attire that is becoming to the students’ age, activities and body structure.
   
   
9. Have children wear safe footwear avoiding high heels, flip-flops, and slides. Sneakers are especially appropriate to a school setting.
   
   
10. Provide children with a good breakfast prior to school. This gives more “brain energy” and cuts down on unnecessary clinic visits with complaints of headaches and hunger.
    
    
11. Pack healthy lunches or assure that your student has funds for purchasing lunch.
    
    
12. Make inquiries into possible eligibility for the reduced or free breakfast and lunch program.
    
    
13. Please understand that school clinics do not serve as the student’s physicians or primary care providers. The nursing staff is the to support their health and well-being of students so that they can access their education.
    
    
14. Encourage children to play outdoors and to participate in wholesome exercise.
    
    
15. Talk with children about safety at the bus stop, caution in traffic areas, and proper behavior on school buses.

For specific concerns, you may contact your school nurse or your local school division’s health office:

Chesapeake 757.494.7628
Portsmouth 757.393.8661
Suffolk 757.925.6750
Virginia Beach 757.263.2025

Last Modified on Wednesday, March 26, 2008 Disclaimer • Site Map