Nurses' Office
Howard High School of Technology Nurse’s Office
Lisa Kittel, BSN, RN, NCSN
Stephanie Nunziato, MSN, RN
Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8:10 - 2:00
The office is closed after 2:00 pm except for medical emergencies.
No medications will be given after 2:00 pm for safety reasons.
Phone: 302-571-5423/ Fax: 302-571-5843 (Attention: Nurse)
OFFICE PROCEDURES:
PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION:
Medications prescribed by a licensed healthcare provider may be administered to students by the school nurse under the following conditions:
- Written request received from the parent/guardian
- The medication must be brought to school in the original container that is properly labeled with the student’s name, the licensed health care provider’s name, medication name, the dosage, how and when it is to be administered, the name and phone number of the pharmacy and the current date of the prescription
- Any allergies are noted
- The prescription and the medication shall be current and long term prescriptions shall be reauthorized at least once a year
- A daily log shall be kept which shows the student’s name, time, and date of administration
- Please note that, if the medication that you send in for your child, does not meet ALL of the above criteria for labeling and proper parent note, the medication WILL NOT BE GIVEN. The medication will be sent home with your child. NO Exceptions will be made. We cannot accept telephone permission to administer medication.
The nurse’s office routinely stocks acetaminophen, ibuprofen, generic Midol, and Tums. Students must have written permission each year on the emergency treatment form granting permission for the school nurse to administer the medications listed above if needed. Non‐prescription medications may be administered by the school nurse after the nurse assesses the complaint and the symptoms to determine if other interventions can be used before medication is administered. If a student needs any other type of over‐the‐counter medications during the school day that medication needs to be brought into the nurse’s office in the original unopened container with a note from the parent/guardian stating the dosage, time, and reason for medication.
ASTHMA INHALERS AND EPI‐PENS:
Students are permitted to have discretionary use and possession of an asthmatic quick-relief inhaler or auto-injectable epinephrine with an individual prescription label. Students must have asthma and/or allergy action plan signed by the healthcare provider and a release form for student possession of inhaler and/ or Epi-pen signed by student and parent on file with the school nurse. It is highly recommended that students keep back‐up inhalers and Epi‐pens in the nurse’s office.
- YOUR STUDENT WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO ATTEND FIELD TRIPS UNLESS THE SELF-ADMINISTER MEDICATION FORM AND ASTHMA AND ALLERGY ACTION PLANS ARE ON FILE IN THE NURSE’S OFFICE.
Students may not call their parents during the course of the day to go home due to illness. They must come to the Nurse’s Office where they will be assessed. The nurse will then contact the parent/guardian if early dismissal due to illness is indicated.
REPORTING ABSENCES:
Parents may report absences by calling the Attendance Office at (302) 571‐5449. Students must have a note upon return. If there is an extended absence due to illness or injury, please make the nurses aware, by calling (302) 571-5423.
Any student trying out for a high school sport in the State of Delaware must have a Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association DIAA Physical Examination Form for sports on file with the school. DIAA regulations state that:
The original DIAA form will be kept in the nurse’s office. DIAA forms are good for the entire school year and multiple sports. They must be repeated every year and dated after APRIL 1st. STUDENTS ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO TRY‐OUT, PRACTICE, SCRIMMAGE, OR COMPETE WITHOUT A PHYSICAL ON FILE. Doing so is not only a violation of the DIAA regulations, but places your school in an extremely tenuous legal position and may place your child at risk if not medically cleared. Physicals may be obtained from your family physician or at the School-Based Health Center, free of charge. If you go to your family physician, take the DIAA form with you. They must use that form.
- Do not wait until the last minute. Schedule at least 2 months ahead of time with your family MD or a few weeks ahead of time with the School-Based Health Center, 302-576-8080.
- Make a copy and keep it for your personal records.
- DO NOT hand over the original physical to the coach. Forms must go to the school nurse or athletic director where they will be filed.
- Make sure the parental section is filled out completely; page 1, sign all 5 places and date, page 2 fill out completely and both athlete and parent sign at the bottom of the page, page 3 filled out by a physician, page 4, section 1, 2 and 3 filled out by a parent and signed by parent and athlete, section 4 must be signed by a physician also!
- Any physical form that is in‐complete will not be placed on the eligibility list.
- Have students bring glasses/contacts to the physical exam if they wear them.
All sports-related injuries need to be reported to the athletic trainer and the school nurse, as soon as possible. Medical documentation of injuries must be given to the athletic trainer and the school nurse. Any student, who has a sports/related injury must be cleared by their physician before they will be allowed to participate, again. Notes of clearance should be brought in to the nurse’s office.
COVID INFORMATION
The State of Delaware no longer has a COVID policy and defers to the latest CDC guidance. Here is a link: https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2024/p0301-respiratory-virus.html
"The recommendations suggest returning to normal activities when, for at least 24 hours, symptoms are improving overall, and if a fever was present, it has been gone without use of a fever-reducing medication. Once people resume normal activities, they are encouraged to take additional prevention strategies for the next 5 days to curb disease spread, such as taking more steps for cleaner air, enhancing hygiene practices, wearing a well-fitting mask, and keeping a distance from others."
WHEN TO STAY HOME
If your child is sick and does not feel well, do not send them to school!
Do not come in to be evaluated by the Nurse. This causes germs to spread. They should see their healthcare provider.
A parent note of illness is sufficient for an excused absence.
Student should stay home if they have:
- Fever of 100 degrees or higher- Remain home for 24 hours after their temperature returns to normal without the use of Tylenol, Advil, Motrin, or combination cold medications, such as Dayquil
- Vomiting- Remain home for 24 hours after vomiting stops
- Diarrhea- Remain home for 24 hours after diarrhea stops
- Persistent cough
If there is an extended absence due to illness or injury, please make the Nurse's Office aware. Doctor’s notes with a diagnosis are appreciated upon return to both Attendance and Nurse’s Offices.
ATTENTION 9TH GRADERS AND NEW ADMISSIONS TO NCCVT
A complete immunization record and physical is required upon entering school. Please send this information to the Nurse upon acceptance to NCCVT. Middle-school health records do not arrive to us in a timely manner and are often not current for their 9th-grade requirements by the State of Delaware. The following is required for school:
- Physical within 2 years prior to entry into 9th grade
- 4-5 doses of DTaP, DTP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis)
- 1 Tdap booster at age 11-12 or prior to entry into 9th grade
- 3-4 doses of IPV (Polio)
- 2 doses of Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR)
- 3 doses of Hepatitis B vaccine
- 2 doses of Varicella or documented history of a student having had Chicken Pox
- 1 PPD/Tuberculosis skin test with results or Tuberculosis Risk Assessment
- 1 dose of Meningococcal (Meningitis, Menactra)
If you are coming from out of state or a private school, the following is required:
- PPD/Tuberculosis skin test with results or Tuberculosis Risk Assessment within the last year
MEDICATIONS
By law, students are not permitted to carry any medications with them at school. All medications are to be administered by the School Nurse. There must be a current emergency card on file which gives parental/guardian permission to administer over-the-counter medications. We have Ibuprofen, Tylenol, & Tums in the office. We do not provide allergy or cold medicine. If your child needs something other than these medications, see below.
Prescription Medication:
- Must be brought to nurses’ office first thing in the morning
- Must be in the original container displaying the current & correct pharmacy label
- Must have written permission from parent/guardian
Non-Prescription Medication:
- Must be brought to nurses’ office first thing in the morning
- Must be in the original container & not expired
- Must have written permission from parent/guardian
Parental Request to have Medication Administered in School
Parental Permission for Assistance with Medication on Field Trip
ASTHMA INHALERS AND EPI-PEN POSSESSION
Students are permitted to have discretionary use and possession of an asthmatic quick-relief inhaler or auto-injectable epinephrine with individual prescription labels. In order for the student to carry their inhaler or EpiPen, they must have the Student Possession and Use of Asthmatic Quick Relief Inhaler and/or EpiPen Form(s) (see both below) signed by the student, parent, and physician. Without this permission form, students are not permitted to carry them or keep them in their gym/sports bag. It is highly recommended that students keep back-up inhalers in the Nurse’s Office and it is required for EpiPens.
ASTHMA
An asthma Action Plan must be completed each school year. This includes students with Asthma, Exercise-Induced Asthma, or using an asthma inhaler for any reason. An extra inhaler is highly recommended to be kept in the Nurse’s Office for emergencies. The inhaler must be properly labeled with the pharmacy label and within the expiration date.
Release_Form_for_use_of_inhaler
FOOD, INSECT, OR LATEX ALLERGY
Any student with an allergy that requires the use of Benadryl or an EpiPen, is required to have a Food/Insect Allergy Plan signed by the doctor. This plan tells us what your child requires in the event of an allergic reaction and is extremely important. This plan is required at the beginning of every school year.
Release-Form-for-use-of-Epi-pen1
EPILEPSY
Please make us aware that your child has seizures with a phone call. A Seizure Action Plan is required at the beginning of each school year. Please complete the Parent Questionnaire for Students with Seizures (see below). If your child plans to participate in sports, we would need an additional clearance note from their doctor.
DIABETES
Please Inform the Nurse’s Office of your child’s diagnosis prior to the start of the school year. A current copy of the Diabetic Plan is required yearly from their physician.
We will need the following supplies:
- Emergency medication (with the pharmacy label) - see release form below
- Insulin for daily usage (with the pharmacy label)
- Extra vial/pen of insulin (with the pharmacy label) in case of an emergency
- Ketone strips
- Snacks and drinks for your child when glucose is low
- A few water bottles for your child when glucose is high
Release-Form-for-administration-of-Glucagon
PE LIMITATION/EXCLUSION
Students requiring limitation or exclusion from PE Class need to have their physician fill out the Limited PE Form (see below). In an effort to help a student earn the required credit, a student may be placed on a limited physical education participation status if their physician approves. If the nurse and instructor have received proper documentation from a physician that fully restricts the student’s participation for a period of time exceeding ten school days, the student will receive an “M” grade and no credit for the course for that marking period.
SPORTS PHYSICALS
The Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association (DIAA) mandates that every student must have all papers completed with all signatures, in order to be eligible to try-out and participate in any school-sponsored sport. The physical must be on the DIAA physical form only. No other forms can be substituted. Physicals must be performed yearly and performed on or after April 1st for the following school year*. It is encouraged to get your physical early and not wait until the last minute. Clearance to start practice cannot be guaranteed unless forms are received in adequate time for them to be reviewed.
The DIAA Physical Form for 2024-2025 can be accessed below.
Please click below to download and/or fill out the Sports Physical/DIAA Form!
Sports physicals can be done by your regular doctor, Wellness Center (if a member), or a walk-in clinic.
SPORTS INJURIES
All sports injuries need to be reported to the Athletic Trainer and School Nurse as soon as possible. Documentation of injuries needs to be given to both the Athletic Trainer and Nurse. Documentation would include any doctor/emergency room visits with the diagnosis, clearance note for sport, and any limitations.
GUIDELINES FOR CAREGIVER(S)-Not to replace the advice of your physician
Fever
- Get extra rest and eat light meals.
- Drink extra fluids every 15-60 minutes.
- Ask your healthcare provider to recommend an over-the-counter medication to reduce fever. Do not take aspirin! It can cause Reyes Syndrome.
- If fever persists for more than 2 days, increases to over 102 degrees or symptoms continue to worsen, contact your healthcare provider.
- No school until fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications.
Upper Respiratory Infection (Cold Symptoms)
Ask your healthcare provider to recommend an over-the-counter medication to ease symptoms.
- Do not take aspirin! It can cause Reye's Syndrome.
- Drink plenty of fluids.
- Use moist air from a vaporizer to help relieve congestion.
- Contact your healthcare provider if:
- breathing difficulties occur
- you cough up green or yellow phlegm that has a bad odor
- fever persists
- you feel sicker each day instead of feeling better
Nausea and Vomiting
- No solids for 8 hours.
- Clear liquids only (not milk) until 4 hours have passed without vomiting. Start with one tablespoon every 10 minutes. If vomiting does not occur, double the amount every hour. If vomiting does occur, allow the stomach to rest for 1 hour and then start again. The key is to gradually increase the amount of fluid until taking 8 oz every hour.
- Resume a normal diet as soon as tolerated.
- Contact your healthcare provider if vomiting persists or if you suspect dehydration.
Diarrhea
- Drink water and/or sports drinks.
- Eat the BRATT diet–Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, Tea, and Toast.
- Resume a normal diet as soon as possible.
- Contact your healthcare provider if cramps, diarrhea, or pain increases or persists or if you suspect dehydration.
Cuts, Abrasions, or Minor Burns
- Keep the affected area clean and dry.
- Change the bandage in 24 hours or sooner if it becomes soiled.
- Notify the healthcare provider if signs of infection develop such as swelling, red streaking, drainage or pus, pain, or fever.
- Make sure the last tetanus shot was within 10 years for minor injuries or 5 years for major cuts.
Bruises, Sprains, or Strains
- Elevate and rest the affected area of the body to reduce swelling and pain.
- Apply ice packs or cold compresses for 10 minutes as many times as possible to the injured area for the first 24 hours after the injury. Wrap the cold pack in a towel to minimize the risk of frostbite to the skin.
- Notify your doctor immediately if the injured area becomes grossly swollen, discolored, cold, or numb, or if the injured limb is unable to bear moderate pressure or body weight.
- Ask your healthcare provider to recommend an over-the-counter medication to reduce pain and inflammation.
- Contact your family doctor or go to an emergency room if not better in 48 hours.
Head Injury
You should watch for any of the following signs of severe injury, in which case you should seek the advice of your healthcare provider as soon as possible.
- severe headache
- excessive drowsiness (unable to be awakened when asleep for 4 hours)
- nausea and/or vomiting
- double or blurred vision or pupils of different sizes
- inability to maintain an erect posture, staggering, etc.
- unusual behavior, confusion, inappropriate anger
- convulsions or discharge from the ear
Addiction Help
Below are two helpful local websites in case someone you knows needs help with addiction:
http://www.attackaddiction.org/