Nurse Updates

Dear Families,

I hope everyone enjoyed their Christmas break!

Below you will find information on the following:

• Influenza
• Caffeine - What is Safe for My Child?
• Medications for 2025-2026 School Year
• Illness Protocol
• Our Health Staff

Nicole Wollert

District Nurse

nicole.wollert@westfieldpioneers.org

We have seen some cases of Influenza this school year and cases were on the rise these past few weeks.

Influenza is a respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses.

• Spread/Transmission: Primarily by respiratory droplets (coughs, sneezes, etc)
• Typical Symptoms: fever, chills, cough, sore throat, runny/stuffy nose, muscle/body aches, fatigue, headache, vomiting or diarrhea (usually more common in children than adults).
• Treatment: Rest and drink plenty of fluids. Flu antiviral medications can help lessen symptoms and shorten the time you are sick. They work best when started within 1-2 days after symptoms begin. They are not available over the counter so a prescription is needed. They are especially important if you are at a higher risk (check out the list of high risk factors) for serious flu complications because they can help reduce some flu complications.
• Prevention: Stay home when you are sick. Avoid close contact with others who are sick. Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze. Wash your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Practice healthy habits (get plenty of sleep, be physically active, drink plenty of fluids, have a healthy diet, clean/disinfect frequently touched surfaces). Get your flu vaccine.
• Return to School Criteria: Students need to be fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications to return to school after being diagnosed with influenza.

For more information on Influenza, please visit the WI DHS website https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/influenza/about.htm or the CDC website https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/index.html

In recent years, ER visits for caffeine overdoses in adolescents have doubled.

Caffeine is not recommended for children under the age of 12.

For adolescents, it is recommended they limit their caffeine intake to less than 100mg per day.

For adults, the recommended daily intake of caffeine should be less than 500mg.

Too much caffeine can cause some side effects including nervousness/anxiety, trouble sleeping, stomach issues, rapid heart rate/arrhythmias, increase in blood pressure.

You can overdose from caffeine and it can cause seizures, severe arrhythmias, and even death.

Check out the image below to see how much caffeine is in some of the popular drinks.

If your child will need medication to be given at school this school year, please complete the following medication form.

The law states that a practitioner's signature is required if the medication is a prescription OR the dose written by parent/guardian on medication administration consent form for an over-the-counter medication differs from the recommended therapeutic dose on the medication label.

Due to not receiving many signed medication forms from the providers' offices this past school year, we are asking parents to get their child's provider to sign the medication form PRIOR to giving it to the school office. We will no longer be offering to fax the medication forms to provider's offices/clinics for signatures.

The student's parent/guardian must bring the medication in the original (manufacturer's or pharmacy-labeled) package and the package must list the ingredients and recommended therapeutic dose.

Students are not allowed to keep their own supply of medication in their lockers. Needed medication must be administered through the school office.

STOCK MEDICATION

As a courtesy, the School District of Westfield will offer stock (school supplied) Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen to middle school and high school students (ages 12 and over) while at school as needed during the current school year. Parent/guardian consent is needed for students to receive these stock medications - Stock Medication Consent Form.

Stock medication will be administered according to package directions (stated below):

Acetaminophen 500 mg tablet - One tablet every 6 hours for headache/pain

Ibuprofen 200 mg tablet - One tablet every 6 hours for headache/pain

This consent covers occasional use only, and will be given at the discretion of the school nurse or designated school staff. Any student that requires any of these medications on a regular basis will be asked to provide their own supply of medication and will need a medication consent form filled out by the student's parent/guardian and medical provider. School supplied medications will not be given to students more than ten times during the school year. If your child reaches the tenth time, a letter will be sent home, alerting you that your child has depleted their doses for the school year.

School supplied medications will only be given to students during the school day; they will not be available on school sponsored trips, athletic events, or after school activities.

If your child has a fever over 100 degrees, is vomiting, or has diarrhea, your child should stay home from school. Your child may return to school when they have been free of fever/vomiting/diarrhea for at least 24 hours.

Your child should also stay home from school if he/she has an unidentified rash or live head lice.

If your child has a rash, your child may return to school when their doctor recommends. Please provide a note to your child's school office from their medical provider indicating when they may return.

If your child has live head lice, he/she may return to school after they are treated as long as there are no longer any live lice.

Your child should stay home if he/she has an eye infection and is unable to avoid touching their eyes.

If your child has a communicable disease, please refer to this chart for guidance on when they may return to school.