Boonton Township School District

Communicable Diseases
In order to prevent epidemics and protect the health of the children, children with communicable diseases
must be excluded from school. These exclusion periods vary according to the following guidelines:
Child Returns to School
Chicken Pox - When crusts are dry, no sooner than the 8th day and nurse’s
clearance
Scarlet Fever or - With written release from physician but no sooner than
Strep Throat 24 hrs. after first antibiotic
Impetigo - With physician's written release
Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye) - With written release from physician
Infectious Mononucleosis - With written release from physician
5th Disease - At physician's discretion
Ringworm - At physician's discretion
Pediculosis (Head Lice) - When hair is free of viable nits and/or lice and nurse’s
clearance
Children who show the following signs and symptoms of illness during the preceding 24 hours should
remain at home: fever, sore throat, upset stomach, cough, rash of any kind, inflamed eyes, earache,
swollen glands, stomach pains or headache. These symptoms may be the forerunner of one of the
above listed communicable diseases.
Medications
Any and all medications, including over-the-counter medications (such as Tylenol/Advil and throat
lozenges/cough drops) are dispensed only in the nurse’s office and will not be given without written
permission/directions from a physician. Please furnish any medication in original containers. No pills in
baggies/envelopes will be administered. Students may not self-administer any medication except for
those conditions deemed “life-threatening”, i.e. asthma, diabetes, food/insect sting allergy. In such
instances, physician documentation of need, student capability, and parental disclaimer must be obtained
yearly and kept on file in the nurse’s office. Forms are available in the nurse’s office.
Dressings
Bandages or dressings applied by a physician or parent will not be changed except upon a written
request from the physician. Soiled dressings can be covered with additional clean gauze if necessary
without prior approval.
Emergency Cards
Emergency cards are distributed on the first day of school and should be returned immediately to your
child’s homeroom teacher. Please make sure that these cards are kept up to date.
Immunizations
The maintenance of an up-to-date health record on every child is a sizable task for the school nurse.
Your cooperation in helping her keep the record accurate and current will be greatly appreciated. All
information is considered confidential.
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