Clinic services in the school, including the administration of medication and modified first aid, are performed by the clinic staff, parent volunteers, and office staff. The clinic staff may provide care only for minor illnesses and injuries.

A health aide, who is not a medical practitioner, staffs the clinic at school.  If a child becomes ill while in school, the parent must make arrangements to pick up the child quickly.  In some cases, a doctor’s statement will be required before the child may return to school.

North Springfield's public health nurse is Melissa Lord. She can be reached at [email protected] or at 571-459-0367. The clinic room aide is Ghazal Dadger, [email protected].  

When to Stay Home

Students with a rash, watery and inflamed eyes, fever, sore throat, vomiting, or diarrhea should stay home until a doctor determines symptoms are not contagious.  The Fairfax County Department of Health recommends children remain home fever-free for 24 hours prior to returning to school.

When We Will Call You

Our clinic works to control and manage exposure to contagious diseases.  We will call for the following symptoms:

• Fever over 100 degrees
• Persistent abdominal pain
• Vomiting
• Unexplained rash
• Diarrhea
• Head lice
• Inflamed eyes with discharge
• Persistent cough

Children with these symptoms should be picked up as soon as possible.  Keep all emergency numbers current.  We ask that you notify the clinic if your child has head lice, strep throat, chicken pox, or other contagious illnesses.

Physician’s Note Needed

Some rashes, pink eye, impetigo, ringworm, and scabies can be passed among students.  We require a note from a physician for any child with these symptoms and it should state the child is not contagious before returning to school.

A booster dose of Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis) is required for all students entering sixth grade if at least five years have passed since the last dose of tetanus-containing vaccine. 

Medication at School

Prescription and most over-the-counter medications require strict adult supervision.  Forms to authorize school staff to administer medication are available at school and online at http://www.fcps.edu/forms.shtml

School Regulation 2102.14 prohibits school personnel from administering any medications unless a parent has completed an Authorization for Medication form, available in the office or health room.  Students who are required to take any medication other than antibiotics for more than 10 days, must have the form signed by their doctor. Medications are administered by the health room aide. Parents--not students--must bring medicines to and from school. Any questions about the medication policy should be directed to the health room aide at (703) 658-5510 or our assigned public health nurse at  (703) 913-8940.

Guidelines:

• Parent must bring medication to and from school. Students should not bring any medications to school.
• Child must have first dose of new medications at home.
• Parent must personally collect unused portions of medications.  If unclaimed, the medication is destroyed.
• Parent is responsible for submitting a new form to the school for any changes in dosage or time of administration.
• Over the counter medication may be given for up to three consecutive days with parent’s or guardian’s signature.
• Over the Counter medication may be given on an as needed basis throughout the school year with parent’s or guardian’s signature for pain relief of headaches and muscle aches.