Health Room

Student illness and injury procedures, medications and more

Phone Number

Hours

  • 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Staff

School Health Room Services at Laurel Hill

Laurel Hill operates an onsite School Health Room (or Clinic), which is staffed by a trained School Health Aide (SHA) provided by the Fairfax County Public Health Department. Our School Health Aide is Angela Berst.

During the school day, Ms. Berst evaluates symptoms of illness to determine if a student needs to go home, treats minor injuries, administers medication or performs other actions as outlined in a student’s health plan, and performs health screenings (such as vision and hearing).

We also have a Public Health Nurse assigned to our school who oversees student health plans and coordinates with the SHA on a regular basis. Our Public Health Nurse is Michele Brookhart.

 

Health Information Form

The Health Information Form is to be completed by the parent or guardian at the start of each school year. The completed form is to be returned to the School Health Room.

 

Contagious Diseases: An Ounce of Prevention

Our School Health Room staff works to control and manage student exposure to contagious diseases. It is best for children with symptoms such as rashes, watery and inflamed eyes, sore throat, vomiting, or diarrhea to remain at home until a doctor evaluates their symptoms and determines the best course of action, including whether or not they are contagious. The Fairfax County Department of Health recommends that a child remain at home until he or she has been fever-, vomiting-, or diarrhea-free for 24 hours (without the aid of symptom-reducing medication) before returning to school.

To limit the spread of illness, please notify the school office if your child gets head lice, strep throat, chicken pox, or other contagious illnesses.

 

A Physician’s Note

Some rashes, pink eye, impetigo, ringworm, and scabies can be passed from one student to another. So that we may protect the health of all of our students and staff members at Laurel Hill, we request a note from the physician for any child with symptoms of these illnesses stating that the child is no longer contagious. It is for the benefit of all that we receive the note prior to your child returning to school. In such matters, we must follow FCPS protocol and appreciate your understanding.

 

Taking Your Child Home

In order to provide and maintain a healthy learning environment, we will call you if your child exhibits symptoms of illness during the school day. This will also enable you to give him or her additional medical care if needed. 

If we cannot reach you when your child becomes ill, we will contact people listed on your child’s Emergency Care Information form. This is why it is important to keep that list and your contact numbers up to date. Only those individuals designated on the form will be contacted take your student home. In an emergency, if a parent cannot be reached, we will simply call 911 and arrange for transport to the nearest hospital. In some extreme cases, we may call 911 before contacting the parent.

 

Medications at School

Prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications require strict adult supervision. Children who need to take medication during school hours must have a signed Medication Authorization, Release, and Indemnification Form. Prescription medications require the signature of both the parent and the physician. Inhalers and EpiPens require authorization forms. 

Medication cannot be administered unless required procedures are followed.

  • The parent or guardian must bring the medication to and from school.
  • The first dose of any new medication must be given at home.
  • The parent or guardian must personally collect any unused portion of the medication. Medications not claimed will be destroyed within one day of the child leaving.
  • The parent or guardian is responsible for submitting all required forms to the school annually and each time there is a change in dosage or in the time in which the medication be taken.

With parent permission using the Medication Authorization Form, certain OTC medications may be given on an "as needed" basis throughout the school year. Examples include Tylenol or Advil  as a pain reliever for headaches, muscle aches, menstrual cramps, etc., or Benedryl for allergies. The medication must be supplied by the parent in its original container. 

 

Transport of Medications to and from School

Parents must transport medications to and from school. All medications must be kept in the clinic and taken under adult supervision. 

 

Scheduling Medical Appointments

Please make every effort to schedule appointments outside of school hours. When this is not possible, please send a note to the school on the morning of the appointment stating the time the child will be picked up. Children should bring appointment notes to the attendance secretary before homeroom. The student's name will then be shown on an early dismissal list so teachers will know the student is not cutting class. For safety reasons, parents must sign out children in the office.