Nurses Office

We believe there are so many things you can do to help your school day go better.  You may hear us encourage you to eat breakfast, drink more water, get enough sleep, or reduce the volume on your ear buds. So many simple little things that you can do to help yourself, can really make a huge difference in your performance at school. Great habits go a long way.

First, we would like to encourage you to participate in our breakfast and lunch program here. Breakfast is such an important meal and this is where your body is really looking forward to “breaking the fast” and starting your day. When you eat a really healthy breakfast, you have given your brain and your body the best fuel to start off your day. This will provide you with the best opportunity for a great outcome of your day.  Research shows an improved performance in the classroom when students eat a healthy breakfast and lunch.  Nurses see a decrease in anxiety, headaches, and stomach aches when students have eaten a healthy breakfast and lunch as well as hydrate throughout the day.

Hydrating throughout the day means continuously drinking water. It is recommended that we consume at least 8-10, 8 ounce glasses of water every day to maintain a well hydrated body. This plays a huge role in the reduction of headaches as well as many other physical ailments.

Sleep hygiene refers to the sleep environment and habits that can promote better sleep quality and quantity.  Please refer to the attached sleep hygiene checklist to print and use as a guide to use at home.

We encourage you to wash your hands. Good hand washing is the primary defense in fighting the spread of germs.  When washing your hands, you should wash your hands for at least 20 seconds, vigorously rubbing your hands together (using soap and water) getting in between your fingers, including your wrists.  Once you have washed your hands thoroughly, rinse and dry them well. This should be done several times a day but especially, after using the bathroom, before consuming food, before touching contact lenses, to name a few.

Keep in mind that common articles in the classrooms; for example, ink pens, pencils, keyboards, desk tops, counter tops, door handles, light switches, have a lot of hands touching them. Yes, we can clean these hard surfaces, but it is a good idea to wash your hands throughout the day, especially after coming in contact with these common articles.  We want everyone to do their part in keeping our school healthy.

When you are here at school, you are here to learn, our job is to support your healthcare needs.  We want you to do your best to focus on your education.  Limit your time on social media throughout your day and evening. Limit your time gaming throughout your evening so you can get enough sleep. Do your best to get at least 8 hours of sleep every night. Use your time at home to focus on your homework. Plan ahead so when you get to school the next day, you are prepared. These are good habits that will help you in getting the best education you can get and help you in life.

We are looking forward to helping you stay healthy and keeping you in class so you can get the great education you chose to get here at Sussex Technical High School.

Emergency Health Forms - (Delaware Regulation 811)

All families should take time to complete the Emergency Health Form.  This is a Delaware Regulation that the school is required to have on file each school year.  We ask that you notify the nurses with any medical changes or concerns that take place throughout the year, as well as any changes in emergency contact information.

If the Emergency Health Form is not on file within 30 days of entering school, we have the right to exclude your student from school.

Medications - (Delaware Regulation 817)

• Medications must be in the original pharmacy-labeled container with the correct name of the student, correct medication in the container, name of the medication, current dose, and expected time of day the nurse will give the medication. Please be sure to check all expiration dates on medications. The nurses must have a written consent on file to assist with these medications.
• Students managing asthma (requiring an inhaler) must obtain the necessary consent form at the beginning of the school year, or when newly diagnosed, and obtain the necessary documentation to be “qualified” to self-carry their inhaler. We will need a copy of your Asthma Action Plan.
• Students with diabetes are requested to come to the nurses office at the beginning of the school year, or when newly diagnosed. We will need a copy of the student’s diabetic plan of care.
• Students with severe allergies (food, bee stings, etc.) are requested to come to the nurses office at the beginning of the school year, or when newly diagnosed. We will need a copy of your Emergency Action Plan.
• Students managing any other serious medical concerns (heart condition, seizures, etc.) are requested to come to the nurses office at the beginning of the school year, or when newly diagnosed. We will need a copy of your Emergency Action Plan.
• Students are NOT permitted to carry any medication (including Tylenol, Advil, etc.) on their person at any time.
• Please read the online student handbook regarding the Department of Education’s medication guidelines and regulations.

Physical Examinations - (Delaware Regulation 815)

All students are required by Delaware DOE regulation to have a current physical examination completed within two years of entering the freshman year.

• If your student is not participating in a sport, a regular physical on a Delaware School Health Examination Form or physicals printed by their primary care physician will be accepted.
• Physicals and certain immunizations may be completed at Sussex Tech’s Wellness Center by becoming a member and calling (302) 271-2522.   Our Wellness Center is available during the summer months; please call for an appointment.
• Any student wishing to participate in sports must have a current DIAA physical on file. The DIAA sports physical must be performed after April 1 of each year to be qualified for sports for the following school year. An athlete will not be permitted to practice or participate without the athletic DIAA physical form and without all of the required signatures. 

If the physical examination is not on file within 30 days of entering school, we have the right to exclude your student from school.

Immunizations

All students are required by Delaware DOE regulation to have current immunizations upon entering a Delaware public school.

• 5 or more doses of Diptheria, Tetanus & Pertussis (DTaP, DTP, or Td) vaccine (unless 4th dose was given after the 4th birthday)
• 4 doses of Injectable Polio Vaccine (IPV) or Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) (unless 3rd dose was given after the 4th birthday)
• 3 doses of Hepatitis B vaccine
• 2 doses of Measles, Mumps & Rubella (MMR) vaccine
• 2 doses of Varicella (Chicken Pox) or documented history of disease by a licensed healthcare provider
• All 9th grade students and new enterers are also required to have Tdap and meningococcal vaccinations.

If the immunizations are not on file within 30 days of entering school, we have the right to exclude your student from school.

Screenings - (Delaware Regulation 815)

According to Delaware guidelines, all new entering students will have scoliosis, vision, and hearing screenings during the school year. A letter will be sent home with your child if a follow-up with their physician is needed.