Nurse/Health Services
Mission Statement
The Health Services Department will commit all of its human and material resources to increase the number of students who are ready to learn, to support teachers in creating environments which sustain the learning readiness of students, and to assist all students in maximizing their personal levels of physical, social, and emotional wellness. We are partners in this most important work with families, district staff and community supporters.Student Health Services meets this commitment by providing a comprehensive program of services that encompasses prevention, early detection, and remediation of health problems by providing health services, health education, and a healthy environment.
Nurses |
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Brandi Potter, RN, BSN
District Registered Nurse
Email:
Main Contact
Riverside High School
509-464-8559
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Jamie Harper, LPN
Licensed Practical Nurse serving:
Riverside Elementary and
Riverside Middle School
Email:
Riverside Elementary
509-464-8359
Riverside Middle School
509-464-8459
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Back-to-school health and safety tips
Return to school during the pandemic
Physical distancing: The goal for students and adults/staff is to stay at least 6 feet apart to help prevent the spread of the virus. Practicing physical distancing coupled with wearing cloth face coverings may significantly reduce the spread of COVID-19. Teachers and staff should stay 6 feet apart from other adults and from students when possible. Teachers and staff should also wear cloth face coverings, limit in-person meetings with other adults and avoid areas such as staff lounges where distancing is difficult.
Cloth face coverings & hand hygiene: All children over age 2 years and all adults should wear cloth face coverings that cover the nose and mouth to stop the spread of the virus. When worn correctly, cloth face coverings are safe to wear for long periods of time such as during the school day. In addition, frequent hand washing with soap and water when available, and using hand sanitizer is important for everyone.
Students at higher risk: While COVID-19 school policies can reduce risk, they will not prevent it. Some students with high-risk medical conditions may need other accommodations. Talk with your pediatrician and school staff (including school nurses) to see if your child needs additional solutions to help ensure safety at school.
COVID-19 Symptoms: Parents/Guardians should monitor their child daily for developing signs of illness. If your child develops one or more symptoms they should not go to school. If your child is ill they will need to stay home for 10 days and be symptom free without medication for 24 hours. Your child may return to school earlier if they receive a negative test result and are symptom free for 24 hours or you have a health care provider note stating their illness is not COVID-19 related and have been symptom free for 24 hours without medication. Communication is necessary during this time. If you find yourself in a unique situation, contact your school nurse for guidance.
- Fever (100.4) or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of smell or taste
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
Immunizations & well-child exams: It is important as students return to school that they are up to date on their immunizations. It will be critical that students and staff get their flu shot this year to reduce the spread of influenza this fall and winter.
Life Threatening Health Conditions: Washington State law requires children with asthma, severe allergies, seizure disorders, and diabetes to have an emergency care plan in place by the start of school each year. Your school requires a new plan each year signed by their provider. If your child does not have this in place (s)he will be excluded from attending school until an emergency care plan is received and medications, if needed, are checked in with office staff or school nurse.
Behavioral health/emotional support: Your child's school should anticipate and be prepared to address a wide range of mental health needs of students and staff. This includes providing mental health support for any student struggling with stress from the pandemicand recognizing students who show signs of anxiety or distress. Schools also can help students with suicidal thoughts or behavior get needed support.
Nutrition: Many students receive healthy meals through school meal programs. More students might be eligible for free or reduced meals than before the pandemic. Schools should provide meal programs even if the school closes or the student is sick and stays home from school.
Remember: Returning to school during the COVID-19 pandemic may not feel like normal – at least for a while. But whatever form school takes, it will require everyone's support to make sure that it is healthy, safe and equitable for students, teachers, staff and families.
School Bus Safety: Review the basic bus safety rules with your youngster: Wait for the bus to stop before approaching it from the curb. Do not move around on the bus. Check to see that no other traffic is coming before crossing. Make sure to always remain in clear view of the bus driver.
(American Academy of Pediatrics, 2020)
Developing Good Homework/Study Habits: Create an environment that is conducive to doing homework. Youngsters need a permanent work space in their bedroom or another part of the home that offers privacy. Set aside ample time for homework. Establish a household rule that the TV set stays off during homework time. Be available to answer questions and offer assistance. But never do a child’s homework for her. To help alleviate eye fatigue, neck fatigue and brain fatigue while studying, it’s recommended that youngsters close the books for 10 minutes every hour and go do something else. If your child is struggling with a particular subject, and you aren’t able to help her yourself, a tutor can be a good solution. Talk it over with your child’s teacher first.
Child Care: During middle childhood, youngsters need supervision. A responsible adult should be available to get them ready and off to school in the morning, watch over them after school until you return home from work and be available during your child's off days. Children approaching adolescence (the 11-and 12-year olds) should not come home to an empty house in the afternoon unless they show unusual maturity for their age. If alternative adult supervision is not available, parents should make special efforts to supervise their children from a distance. Children should have a set time when they are expected to arrive at home and should check in with a neighbor or with a parent by telephone. When evaluating child-care options, determine whether other family members can handle these responsibilities. For example, does a grandparent or other relative live nearby, and is he or she available and willing to help? If you choose a commercial after-school program, inquire about the training of the staff. There should be a high staff-to-child ratio, and the rooms and the playground should be safe.
TV TIPS: Set limits on the amount of TV your child watches. Be firm. Limit children’s TV viewing to an hour or two daily. Hide the remote. Eliminate channel surfing which encourages passive viewing. Keep TV’s out of your youngster’s bedroom. Children should watch their favorite shows in a central area of the home. Whenever possible, record programs and watch them later. Fast forwarding through commercials will shave ten minutes off of every hour of TV viewing. Discourage repeated viewings of the same video. The graphic language, violence and sexual content of movies rated PG-13 and R can have a cumulative effect on a child if they’re watched over and over again. Harness the power of television in a positive way. TV can be a valuable tool for learning and expanding one’s awareness of the world.Make use of ratings systems to know whether or not a program or movie is appropriate for your child.
TIPS TO PREVENT ALCOHOL ABUSE: Give your child a sense of confidence. This is the best defense against peer pressure. Listen to what your child says. Pay attention and be helpful during periods of loneliness or doubt. Know who your child’s friends are and make a point to get to know them. Provide parental supervision. Don’t allow your teen to attend parties where alcohol is being served. Insist that a parent be present at parties to supervise. Offer a “free call home”. Drinking and driving may lead to death. Let him know that he can call home without fear of consequences that night. Discuss the incident the next day. Help your child learn to handle strong emotions and feelings. Talk about things that are important issues for your child, including alcohol, drugs and the need for peer-group acceptance.Join your child in learning all you can about preventing alcohol abuse. If talking with your teenager about alcohol is difficult, your pediatrician may be able to help open the lines of communication.
(American Academy of Pediatrics, 2004)
Organization Links for Parents
Disease and Organization Links
There is much information available to help protect your child’s learning from being impacted by health concerns. We want to work with you to help your child at school. Contact your school nurse if you have any concerns that need to be addressed.
These resources are available on the internet. Inclusion of these resources on this web page does not represent endorsement by the Riverside School District.
Medical Resources
- Academy of Pediatrics: Information for you and your family.
- Allergy and Asthma Network/Mothers of Asthmatics, Inc
- Allergy Internet Resources Information and links for allergies and allergy testing.
- American College of Chest Physicians – Patient Instructions for Inhaled Devices (inhaler, discus, spacer, nebulizer)
- American Lung Association
- American Diabetes Association
- Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
- www.fanteen.org – a website for kids and teens offering practical advice on common day-to-day activities, including how to handle social situations, dating and kissing.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Diseases & Conditions.
- Children with Diabetes
- Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
- Doctor’s Guide to Asthma Information and Resources
- Environmental Protection Agency
- Epilepsy Foundation – Information on seizure disorders.
- Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network – Educate your child’s friends about food allergy
- Food Allergy News for Kids and Teens – Educates teens with food allergies and offers practical advice on common day-to-day activities including how to handle social situations and dating.
- MedlinePlus Skin Conditions
- National Asthma Education and Prevention Program
- National Attention Deficit Disorder Association
- Northwest Children & Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder
- O.A.S.I.S. Online Aspergers Syndrome Information and Support.
- Shriners Hospital for Children, Educational information, conditions treated and application for Shriners help.
- The Magic Foundation
- Tony Atwood – online information on Aspergers Syndome and resources http://www.tonyattwood.com.au/
- Tourette Syndrome Association
- Washington Optometric Association
Professional Links
Diseases and Prevention
- American Academy of Dermatologists Information on various skin conditions, acne, patient information and professional information
- Rare Disease Database Nationwide information on various rare diseases.
Guide to Medical Informatics and Telemedicine Glossary of Internet terminology written for health professionals - Dental Association Research and clinical dental issues.
- American Diabetes Association A resource for professionals and diabetics. Latest information and research is shared.
- Merck Manual A leading source for health information on the web.
- Nursing 2005 Drug Handbook Drug information and updates, patient teaching, news capsules, clinical pearls, links, and continuing education, provided by Springhouse Corporation.
- Mental Health: Barriers to learning
- Selective Mutism
Professional Organizations
- American School Health Association Promotes the health of our nation’s youth. Publications, conferences and memberships are shared here.
- School Health Alert Newsletter Articles, sharing ideas with other nurses, links, publications and a bookstore is available here.
National Association of School Nurses The National Association of School Nurses improves the health and educational success of children and youth by developing and providing leadership to advance school nursing practice. Position statements and links are available.
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing This site shares the Boards of Nursing information, nurse practice acts and regulations, publications, meetings, research, and statistical data.
- School Nurse Organization of Washington. The mission statement, continuing education opportunities, membership information, officers and links to resources are found here.
- Nurse Week - general school nurse information (do not need to subscribe)
School Nurse Web Sites
- Gerri Harvey, RN, MEd Tools, Resources, and inspiration for school nurses
- Martha Dewey Bergren Home Page Many links to other resources
Special Health Needs
- Information Center on Children & Youth with Disabilities NICHCY is the national information and referral center that provides information on disabilities and disability-related issues for families, educators, and other professionals.