Health Office
- General Information from your PV School Nurse
- COVID-19 Public Health
- Norovirus
- Sports Physicals
- Vaccination Against Flu
- Flu or Cold?
- Meningococcal (Meningitis) Disease
- HPV Information
- Head Lice
- Tick-Borne Illness Prevention Information
- Lead Poisoning
- Sports-Related Eye Injuries
- Synthetic Drugs: Overdose Awareness
- Emergency Naloxone (Narcan) Administration
- Sports-Related Concussions
- E-Cigarettes: Questions and Answers
- NJ Family Care
General Information from your PV School Nurse
Adrianna Komeshok, School Nurse
Pequannock Valley Middle School
adrianna.komeshok@pequannock.org
Phone: 973-616-6050 ext. 3011
Fax: 862-446-0002
HEALTH CONCERNS: Please inform your school nurse of any severe allergies, surgeries, accidents or new health problems that occurred during the summer.
MEDICATIONS: Students are not allowed to carry PRESCRIPTION OR OVER THE COUNTER MEDICATIONS in school.
If a child, by order of a physician must receive medications in school, Medication Permission Form must be completed and signed by both a physician and a parent/guardian. Therefore, a prescription label IS NOT acceptable in lieu of an MD’s order. A written order must be obtained. Medication Permission Form along with the prescribed medication in its original container must be brought to school by an adult. All medication MUST be administered in the nurses’ office. Parents/guardians may administer medication to their child at any time during school if needed. All medication is to be picked up at the end of school year by an adult.
SELF-ADMINISTRATION OF INHALER/EPIPEN: NJ state law allows students to carry medications and self-medicate only for life-threatening conditions, i.e. asthma, insect sting and food allergies. Permission to self-medicate must be updated annually by the parent and the physician.
Asthma Treatment Plan and Medication Forms for Allergic Reactions are available by clicking on the link or under Health forms on the school web and must be updated every school year.
CRUTCHES, CASTS, SPLINTS AND OTHER ORTHOPEDIC DEVICES: If your child requires one of these devices, we must have documentation from your physician about activity restrictions and permission to use crutches, PE excuses and any other necessary information. Students using crutches must be seen by a physician and cleared to return to be in school. Students who require crutches may not be able to ride the bus due to safety concerns.
ILLNESS/ABSENCES: Please contact the PV ATTENDANCE OFFICE in the morning if your child is to be absent and inform us why he/she will not be attending. If your child has been ill, he/she should be free of fever for 24 hours without administering fever reducing medication before returning to school.
PV Sports Registration: IF YOUR CHILD IS INTERESTED IN REGISTERING FOR A SPORT, PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING CAREFULLY:
Students must be medically cleared to participate in sports. Registration must be completed through the website using the following link: https://pequannock-ar.
Please see the steps below to complete the process. Students must submit online athletics registration and a required physical exam in order to participate in the PVMS Athletics/Activities:
1. Required online registration https://
2. Required physical paperwork (must be on state paperwork)
https://pequannock-ar.rschoolt
If you need assistance with registration, please call 1-800-513-5220
Please complete the registration and/or submission of the physical form in order for your student to be eligible to participate in PVMS Athletics/Activities. After we have received the registration as well as the physical exam forms, they will then be submitted to our school physician for final review, approval/clearance. You will receive an email when your student has been cleared.
An important tip to keep in mind is to complete the registration and submission of physical exam forms as soon as possible (once registration is open for the season), even if you or your student is unsure if they would like to participate. Having the process completed will give your student maximum flexibility to decide without delay in the start of the sport/activity they may or may not choose. To submit the required forms, please scan and email the forms to the school nurse or drop them off at the PV main office. Please do not send photos of the physical exam documents, as it prints too small and we are unable to review them properly. Once your student's forms are submitted they will still need to be reviewed by our school physician for final clearance and approval, so please submit the forms as soon as you can.
Please reach out to adrianna.komeshok@
After school ends, please contact the Athletic Department at the High School for assistance at: 973-616-6000 x 2007 or amy.tabakman@pequannock.org
Files:
COVID-19 Public Health
Daily Health Checklist for Students
Wash Your Hands Video
Travel during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Upon return, you must quarantine for 14 days and test for COVID-19 (PCR test is required).
Norovirus
Norovirus is a very contagious virus that causes vomiting and diarrhea. Anyone can get infected and sick with norovirus. Norovirus is sometimes called the “stomach flu” or “stomach bug”. However, norovirus illness is not related to the flu, which is caused by influenza virus. Click here to watch a video describing norovirus symptoms, how the virus spreads, and how to prevent norovirus.
Sports Physicals
Mandated Paperwork for Athletic Participation:
According to the New Jersey State Department of Education, in order for a student to participate in sport a medical examination by a licensed health care provider (physician, APN or PA) must be done within 365 days of the first day of practice.
Online registration is mandatory for all athletes. All forms must be submitted electronically (see exclusions below). Please follow this link.
Preparticipation Physical Evaluation History Form, Supplemental History Form for the athlete with Special Needs, Physical Examination Form, Clearance Form and all Treatment Plans (Asthma or Allergy) must be submitted as a hard copy to the school nurse.
History Form (hard copy) - must be filled out and signed by a parent and athlete, prior to the physical exam.
Athlete Supplemental History Form (hard copy) - must be filled out prior to the exam and signed by parent and athlete (check the “no” column if the health issues don’t apply).
Physical Examination and Clearance Forms (hard copy) - will be completed by the examining health care provider after he/she has reviewed the History Form and has completed the physical exam.
Peyton's Law -- please see if it is applicable for you to have an EKG done at your doctor's office in order to prevent SCA (Sudden Cardiac Arrest).
Please be aware that these required forms must be received, reviewed, and processed by the school nurse and signed by the school doctor before the athlete can try out or practice. If any of the forms are incomplete or turned in after the deadline, the student’s clearance for sports participation will be delayed. The safety of our athletes is our most important consideration. No athlete will be allowed to participate in Pequannock Twp. District sports if the school procedures and the State guidelines are not followed.
Files
Vaccination Against Flu
Flu or Cold?
Meningococcal (Meningitis) Disease
HPV Information
Head Lice
The head louse is a small, wingless parasitic insect that lives among human hairs and feeds on blood drawn from the scalp. Lice are a very common problem, especially for kids. They're contagious, annoying, and sometimes tough to get rid of.
But while they're frustrating to deal with, lice aren't dangerous. They don't spread disease, although their bites can make a child's scalp itchy and irritated, and scratching can lead to infection.
Please refer to the following links to get more information. In order to discuss individual cases, please contact your school nurse.
Resources:
Tick-Borne Illness Prevention Information
*New Jersey has one of the highest rates of Lyme Disease (tick-borne illnesses).
*All ticks can transmit Lyme Disease (not necessarily limited to deer ticks).
*Increased incidence of Lyme Disease is partially attributed to the population explosion in the rural areas.
*Keep wood and brush away from your house. Stone walls attract small rodents which
can also carry ticks. Bird feeders also increase the incidence of ticks.
*Avoid pets on furniture and sleeping with kids. Ticks can travel from your furry animal
onto the skin of your family.
*Avoid tick infested areas and sitting directly on the ground. Use EPA approved
repellents.
*Frequent tick checks are probably your best protection from tick-borne illnesses.
Removing ticks before they adhere to the skin, prevents the transmission of
infection.
*Remember to protect (repellent) and check pets too!
*Teach children to seek adult help for tick removal.
*Squeezing the body of the tick can actually increase the chance of transmitting
infectious material into the person who is bit by the tick.
*Improper removal can increase the chances of infectious transmission of tick fluids and
thus developing Lyme Disease and related tick-borne illnesses. Never put substances
on the tick such as soap or other substances.
*Use a fine point tweezer and grasp tick mouth parts (place of attachment—as close to the skin as possible). Remove the tick with a steady pull away from the skin. Use a steady pressure and gently pull the tick straight out. Never squeeze, twist, or yank the body of a tick. Never put substances or fluids on the tick.
*If you save the tick for testing, place it in a sealed plastic bag with a moistened (water)
cotton ball. If a tick is positive, a course of antibiotics is indicated---see the doctor.
*Tick testing labs include:
1. IgeneX Labs, Palo Alto, CA (800) 832-3200
2. MDL, Mt. Laurel, NJ (877) 269-0090
3. NJ Labs, New Brunswick, NJ (732) 249-0148
*Some Lyme literate specialists feel that testing ticks may not always be 100% accurate.
*Disinfect tweezers.
*Wash hands thoroughly.
*If discarding tick, wrap in toilet tissue and flush into toilet.
*Don’t touch tick with bare hands.
*Clean area of the tick bite with an antiseptic and apply antibiotic ointment.
*Contact your doctor.
*Mark your calendar on the day of the tick removal.
*Be alert that some reports and researchers state that less than 40% of people develop
a rash (bulls-eye) after a tick bite.
*Many rashes that do develop after exposure to infectious tick bites may not present as
the “classical bulls-eye” rash. You may see a solid red rash – possibly 3” diameter or
larger, and may be smaller, too. Consult your medical professional as needed.
*Some people with dark skin may have a “bruise-like” appearance when developing a
rash.
*New research supports 6 weeks of antibiotic therapy for Lyme Disease. Other tick-
borne illnesses may also be transmitted from one tick bite. They include ehrlichiosis,
bartonella, and babesiosis. Ask your doctor about these other diseases. They
should be assessed and treated promptly.
*Taking advantage of the “window of opportunity” for treatment of Lyme Disease can mean
the difference between wellness and illness and the avoidance of an unknown course of
chronic illness.
*It may be advisable to treat tick bites when there is:
1. a large rash or bulls-eye rash
2. an engorged tick upon removal
3. tick bite in an endemic area with high incidence of lyme and tick-borne illness
4. history of immune-suppressed state of health
If fever or flu-like illness develops within 4 weeks after a known tick bite, consider treatment for Lyme Disease! Flu-like symptoms include fatigue, malaise, achy, fever, headache,
swollen glands or joints, and chills.
Other tick-borne diseases are Babesia, Anaplasmosis, Ehrlichia, and Bartonella. Ask your doctor to check for these other infections that may be transmitted along with Lyme.
Log onto www.lymediseaseassociation.org for more information and other websites.
This information was kindly provided by colleague Nancy Braithwaite, RN.
Resources:
Lead Poisoning
Lead poisoning is a serious condition. It occurs when lead builds up in the body. Lead is a highly toxic metal and a very strong poison. It is found in lead-based paints, including paint on the walls of old houses and toys.
Please refer to the attached articles below for more information.
Resources:
Sports-Related Eye Injuries
Participating in sports and recreational activities is an important part of a healthy, physically active lifestyle for children. But, children are at particular risk for sustaining a sports-related
eye injury and most of these injuries can be prevented. Please refer to the link provided below for more information.
Resources:
Synthetic Drugs: Overdose Awareness
Emergency Naloxone (Narcan) Administration
Naloxone (Narcan) is a medication used to block the effects of opioids in a case of overdose.
If Certified School Nurse or any other trained school personnel believes, in good faith, that the person is experiencing an opioid overdose, Narcan Nasal Spray may be administered.
Naloxone has little to no effect if opioids are not present. In people with opioids in their system, it may cause increased sweating, nausea, restlessness, trembling, vomiting, flushing, and headache, and has in rare cases been associated with heart rhythm changes, seizures and pulmonary edema. Any person can develop an allergic reaction to the medication.
Please refer to the Pequannock BOE policy number 5330_04 Administering an Opioid Antidote.
Check https://www.narcan.com/ and https://www.drugs.com/pro/narcan.html for more information as well as the attached documents.
Files:
Sports-Related Concussions
A concussion is a brain injury and all brain injuries are serious. They are caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head, or by a blow to another part of the body with the force transmitted to the head. They can range from mild to severe and can disrupt the way the brain normally works.
Even though most concussions are mild, all concussions are potentially serious and may result in complications including prolong brain damage and death if not recognized and managed properly.
Please refer to the attached fact sheet for more information.
Resources:
- Ace Care Plan
- Concussion Fact Sheet
- Concussion Protocol