Health Services
The purpose of the Health Services Department is to maintain, improve and promote the health of the school-age child in the educational setting. Please feel free to contact the school nurse regarding health concerns for your child.
On the Wisconsin Avenue Campus, the Health Services Department is located in the upper level of the Wannan Gymnasium next to the Sledge Garden. On the Lower School campus, the Health Services Department is located in the Manor House. Hours for both campuses are from 8:00AM to 4:00PM.
News
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Health Action Plans
Asthma & Allergy Action Plans
Posted May 22
The Asthma Action Plan must be completed by a primary care provider every school year for each child that has been diagnosed with asthma. The Asthma Action Plan is an education and communication tool to be used between the physician and the child or parent/guardian, with their family and caregivers, to properly manage asthma and respond to asthma episodes. The Allergy Action Plan provides specific directions about what to do in a particular emergency and must be completed and updated annually by the parents of each student with a documented allergy and signed by the student's physician. Please submit completed forms to the Nurse’s Office on your child’s designated campus. These forms can be found under the Health and Emergency Forms link.
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Seasonal Allergies
Posted May 9
Runny nose, coughing, red-itchy eyes, congestion, sneezing, sore throat: Do any of these symptoms sound familiar? The culprit may be attached to the hood of our cars, hiding invisibly on our hands, and or just floating past our nasal passages whenever the wind blows. Pollen plagues us every spring, but this year many allergy sufferers are saying that they feel its effects are unusually intense. If your children are experiencing these symptoms, there is a good chance that they may have seasonal allergies. There are many over-the-counter medications that help relieve the symptoms, such as saline nasal sprays that wash away pollen and thin mucous, but you should seek the advice of a physician to find out what the best options are. Read more for helpful tips to help prevent pollen allergies.
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Why is Breakfast Important?
Posted May 16
How many times have we heard, “Breakfast, it’s the most important meal of the day”? Well, that’s because it is. Skipping breakfast is like attempting to drive your car on an empty tank. You can try it but you won’t get very far. Breakfast is the fuel that gets us going in the morning, helps us and our children to concentrate, provides us with one of the most important nutrients-iron-and will more than likely provide us with the energy needed to participate in physical activities.
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When is Clean too Clean?
Posted May 16
In recent months our communities have been bombarded with the concern that bacterial infections are on the rise.
Read More >>
Contact Information
Barbara Conte
Lower School Nurse
phone: 202-537-6992
email: conteb@sidwell.edu
Jasmin Whitfield
Middle and Upper School Nurse
phone: 202-537-8130
email: whitfieldj@sidwell.edu
Services Provided
Health Maintenance and Promotion
- Administers first aid and nursing interventions for illness and injuries;
- Prepares and maintains current health records and develops action plans for the care of the child with specific health needs;
- Works directly with counselors, faculty and staff regarding all aspects of health (emotional, mental, physical, and environmental);
- Serves as a liaison with professionals in the community who are skilled in making psychological or physical evaluations;
- Available to assist faculty and staff with health care needs and referrals.
Screening and Vaccination
- Administers the annual influenza vaccine;
- Administers TB testing for all faculty and staff;
- Annually performs basic vision and hearing screening of kindergarten students.
Education
- Trains faculty and staff in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and the use of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs);
- Assures compliance and training as required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) standards for bloodborne pathogens; and maintains the Exposure Control Plan;
- Organizes Friendship Groups with new students in Grades 2 through 4;
- Coordinates Baby Watch, program designed for 4th graders to increase awareness about their own growth and development;
- Implements awareness programs on wellness and education for the entire school community
- Teaches basic principles of hygiene, nutrition and health safety.
Committees
- Co-clerks the Lunch Committee in the Lower School
- Organizes after-school carpool arrangements