McAuliffe Elementary School Clinic Information
Hi! My name is Lea Morris and I love being your child's nurse here at Christa McAuliffe Elementary School. Prior to joining PWCS nine years ago, my nursing background included, Intensive Care Nursing with an emphasis on Cardiac Care; Urgent Care Nursing where I provided care to pediatric and adult patients and also Medical Surgical Nursing where I worked with patients with a variety of health conditions. My goal is to keep your student Safe and Healthy as well as to educate them about how to be their healthiest through Nutrition, Fitness and Mindfulness. On this page you will find a lot of resources that I hope will be helpful to you.
Please see the Frequently Asked Questions below. If you are unable to find the answer to your question here, then please feel free to email me. I am always happy to help!
The PWCS school nurse program is designed to promote child and adolescent health and reduce health-related risk behaviors. The program is comprised of school nurses, a school health services coordinator, and a medical consultant. The role of the school nurse is to support student learning which is accomplished by implementing strategies that promote student and staff health. The school nurse provides health services, health education, staff wellness, promotes physical education and activity, and promotes community involvement. The school nurse also identifies health and safety concerns in the school environment and works collaboratively with staff, students and families in addressing these concerns.
Immunizations
Please be aware that up-to-date immunizations are required for both virtual and on-site students. The deadline for students to meet the immunization requirement for mandatory immunizations for public school enrollment is Thursday, August 17, 2023. If you have questions, please contact the school nurse or visit the immunization requirements webpage. Thank you for your assistance. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Health Forms
Please use the links at the left side of this page to download any medical forms that you may need for the current or upcoming school year. Please note there is an option to have your physician fill out the Asthma Action Plan online. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions.
PWCS Guidelines for Keeping your Child Home
From Regulation 757-1, "Illness Or Injury Exclusion Criteria R757-1":
Reasons for which a child may be sent home from school or for a parent to keep the child home from school.
- Fever of 100.4 degrees (F) and over -exclude until student has been fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication.
- Conjunctivitis (pink eye), strep infections, ringworm, and impetigo are all infections and must be treated with medications for 24 hours before returning to school. Please do not allow affected students back before this time so that other students are not infected unnecessarily.
- Rash of unknown origin (especially if accompanied by a fever).
- Head injury.
- Fever coughing or difficulty breathing.
- Colds - a child with thick or constant nasal discharge should remain home.
- Diarrhea or vomiting-exclude until child has been symptom-free for at least 24 hours.
- Stiff neck associated with a fever and/or recent injury.
- Inadequate immunizations with known disease outbreak in school.
- Refer to the VDOH "Communicable Disease Reference Chart for School Personnel" for other exclusions/information
What if My Child has a Special Health Condition and/or Needs Medication at School?
Special health conditions can be managed at school. Contact me so we can discuss your child's specific health needs.
If your student needs medication at school, it needs to be brought into the clinic by an adult, in the original sealed container, and accompanied by the proper paperwork.
New paperwork is required for each school year. Please contact me for specific forms that may be needed.
Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have questions about managing your student's special health condition at school.
Important Information For Parents Of Upcoming Middle School Students
Tdap Booster Required for Rising 7th Grade Students!
Please review your child's shot record. If the last shot was administered more than five years from the beginning of the upcoming school year, please have this immunization done now if your child is 11.
Shots may be obtained from your doctor, military clinics, or health department. The Tdap booster requirement was initiated at the recommendation of the Virginia Department of Health and other medical experts to give adolescents added protection against Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis (better known as Whooping Cough). These potentially serious ailments are largely preventable with proper vaccination. Therefore, it is imperative to protect your child and ensure that he/she meets all school immunization requirements by arranging for the Tdap booster as soon as possible.
If you have not already provided your child's school with Tdap documentation, it is very important that you provide this to the school nurse.
Please call the local health department, your doctor's office or school nurse if you have any questions.