School Nurse Information

1. Please send a complete change of clothes to school or keep in your child's book bag in case of an accident. Please make sure the change of clothes is appropriate for the season.
2. Please call or email the school nurse BEFORE bringing in any prescription or over-the-counter medications (including refills) to ensure compliance with the HCS medication policy and to arrange a time with the nurse to bring in the medication. HCS medication forms are required for the school nurse to administer any medications. The medication policy & forms can be obtained from the school nurse or the HCS Student Health Services website: https://www.horrycountyschools.net/Page/1006

3. SC Law requires a South Carolina Certificate of Immunization to be provided to the school. If you are from out-of-state, you must take your vaccine record to SC Dept of Public Health to get a SC Certificate of Immunization within 30 days of enrollment or the student cannot attend school.

4. The school nurse will call the parent if your child presents with the following condition(s): fever greater than 100 degrees, more than 1 episode of vomiting, more than 2 episodes of diarrhea, head injury with cause for concern, injury with any pain/swelling/deformity, live lice, or other serious conditions that warrant immediate parent notification.
5. The school nurse may send a note home to the parent to notify you of a visit that does not require immediate notification.
6. The school nurse will NOT notify the parent of every child's visit to the health office, such as minor injuries or illnesses that are resolved. Some minor injuries may be taken care of at the classroom level and not be seen by the school nurse.
7. Please do NOT send children who are sick to school. Children who have vomited or have diarrhea should remain home until vomiting/diarrhea free, able to eat and drink without recurring episodes of vomiting/diarrhea and feel well enough to participate in school. Children with fever of 100℉ or greater should remain home until they are fever free without the use of fever reducing medication for 24 hours. School nurses cannot excuse absences for students who are sent to school sick.

COUGH DROPS!
We are starting to see more cough drops being brought to school by students. As a reminder, students ARE allowed to bring non-medicated cough drops to school. They may keep these in their classroom and use them as needed. They are NOT allowed to bring medicated cough drops. Medicated cough drops must be kept in the nurse's office and require an HCS Over-the-Counter Medication Permission form to be completed, must be in the original sealed packaging and brought to the Front Office by a parent.  

What is a non-medicated cough drop?
Cough drops considered to be "non-medicated" do not contain medications such as lidocaine, benzocaine, menthol, etc. Active ingredients for non-medicated cough drops are pectin, honey, and zinc. 
Examples of non-medicated cough drops: Luden's, Hall's Breezers

Jessica Osteen, BSN, RN
School Nurse
St. James Elementary School
School Phone: (843) 215-6011
School Fax: (843) 650-7909
Email: josteen@horrycountyschools.net