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Important News from the School Nurse

Luanne Mack, BSN, RN, NCSN
Director of Health Services
Craven County Schools
252-514-6300 (Central Services)

DO YOU HAVE A HEALTH QUESTION FOR THE NURSE? YOU CAN TEXT IT DIRECTLY TO 252-501-6056

Health Insurance

Does your child need health insurance? Your child may qualify for free or low-cost health insurance programs in North Carolina called Health Check and NC Health Choice. They offer a wide range of benefits, including vision and dental coverage. 

Free/Reduced Health Insurance Information:  www.NCHealthyStart.org or contact the School Nurse. 

Medication/Treatment Administration

Medications: We encourage the administration of medicine before and after school whenever possible. However, if your healthcare provider deems it necessary for your child to receive medication during school hours, we must have an Authorization for Medication Form completed and signed by both the healthcare provider and the parent, for initial administration and for any change in medication and/or dosage. All medication must be in the original container in which it was purchased. School personnel will give no medication until the above requirements are met. This is to protect your child from injury. We accept no responsibility for students who self-medicate.

Students with asthma/diabetes/severe allergies will be permitted to have in their possession prescribed medications for the prevention and treatment of symptoms; the requirements and forms are available at the school and health care provider’s offices.

Treatments/Procedures: If it is necessary for a student to receive a Specialized Physical Health Care Service, an Authorization Form must be completed by both the health care provider and the parent and kept on file at school. It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to provide the necessary supplies and equipment needed for any Specialized Physical Health Care Service. Students requiring medical care at school will be assessed and parents will be notified as needed. Please be sure to provide the office with current telephone numbers so that we may easily reach you in the event of an emergency.

Screenings:  Routine screenings are conducted annually for vision, hearing and dental. Parents will be notified if their child fails two screenings. If you do not want your child to participate in the screenings, please notify the school nurse.

The screening schedule is as follows:

  • Vision ~ grades 1, 3, 5, and 7. Financial assistance is available for eyeglasses if needed.
  • Hearing ~ grades 1 and 3
  • Dental ~ grades K and 5; additional grade levels at the Nurses discretion; screenings performed by Public Health Dental Hygienist.
  • Head lice ~ to be screened as needed; parents will be notified accordingly

Health Assessments

Health Assessments: All students entering kindergarten or for the first time in North Carolina must be in compliance with NC Health Assessment requirements (GS130A-440). The Health Assessment shall be made no more than 12 months prior to the date of school entry. Any student not in compliance after 30 days will be excluded from school until proof of compliance is received.

Immunization Requirements

Immunizations:  All students must be in compliance with NC Immunization Law (GS130A-152) within 30 days of enrollment in school. Any student not in compliance after 30 days will be excluded from school until proof of compliance is received. This is the parent’s responsibility. The State of North Carolina requires that students have the following immunizations:

Before a child enters school for the first time:

  • 5 doses DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis)
  • 4 doses polio
  • 3-4 doses Hib (haemophilus influenza type B)
  • 2 doses MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella)
  • 3 doses Hep B (hepatitis B)
  • 2 doses Varicella (chickenpox)
  • 4 doses Pneumococcal Conjugate

Before a child enters the 7th grade or by age 12:

  • 1 dose Tdap booster (Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis)
  • 1 dose MCV (meningococcal conjugate

Beginning August 1, 2020, rising 12th-grade students or students who are 17 years of age (whichever comes first) will be required to have a second dose of meningococcal conjugate vaccine.

Reasons to Stay Home

Head Lice: Periodic checks for head lice are done in school.  Frequent and regular checks of your child’s hair at home will assist us (and you) in preventing large outbreaks of this nuisance.

School Nurse: There is a School Nurse assigned to your child’s school.  If you have questions or concerns about your child’s health please contact her by calling the school office and leaving your name and number.  She will return your call at the earliest opportunity.

Student Illness: Children should be kept home when the following symptoms are present:  fever, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting, red & watery eyes with drainage, severe headache, or undiagnosed rash.  Children should remain at home until there has been no fever 24 hours (without taking a fever reducing medication) and have been free of diarrhea and/or vomiting for at least 12 hours (without taking an medication to reduce these symptoms).  Also, if antibiotics have been prescribed they should be taken for at least 24 hours before returning to school.