WHEN SHOULD MY CHILD STAY HOME FROM
SCHOOL?
Please take a few minutes at home to carefully check your child’s health before he/she
leaves for school each morning. The following are a few suggestions, which may help to
guide you:
REASONS FOR KEEPING YOUR CHILD HOME:
1. Illness during the night
2. Fever is present (100 degrees or greater)
3. Complaints of nausea, upset stomach, vomiting, headache, diarrhea prior to
leaving for school
4. Development of a rash on face and/or body
5. Has a severe cold, cough and/or sore throat
6. Has inflamed eye(s) with discharge from them
Please Remember: An ill child cannot function properly in the classroom. The spread of
illness and disease through class or school can be more easily monitored if sick children
remain at home during the acute stage of an illness. If the school nurse detects any of the
above, your child will be sent home.
A student’s absence should be reported on the #10 School Absence mailbox by
calling: 973-253-2716.
Homework can also be requested on this phone message, please indicate when you will
be picking it up.
WHEN DOES MY CHILD NEED A DOCTOR’S NOTE?
A NOTE FROM YOUR CHILD’S DOCTOR MUST BE OBTAINED IF:
1. Child is to take medication of any kind in school. Medication cannot and will
not be given without written permission from a doctor and a parent. (Please
see Medication Policy link and Forms link for required documents)
2. Child has received an examination, immunization or booster injection
3. Child is out of school for 3 or more consecutive days for an illness
4. Child has any type of communicable disease such as, Strep throat, Scarlet
fever, Lice, Pink eye/Conjunctivitis, Fifth’s disease, Ringworm, Scabies. The
note must indicate the child is free of infection before they are allowed to
return to school
Please Remember: A note from a parent should be sent when information on a child’s
emergency card has been changed, such as telephone numbers or place of parent
employment.
MEDICATION POLICY
In order to administer any medication in a Garfield school, all THREE of the following
are necessary:
1. A signed medication Administration Request from Parent form (see Forms link
for document)
2. A completed and signed Recommendation of Family Physician form (see Forms
link for document)
3. Medication must be brought by the parent/guardian to the school nurse in the
original, labeled container
According to the State of New Jersey, the certified school nurse or parent/guardian are
the only individuals permitted to administer medication in school. Therefore, if for any
reason, the school nurse is not available, it is the responsibility of the
parent/guardian to administer the medication.
HEALTH SCREENING INFORMATION
Throughout the school year, your child will be receiving a variety of health screenings to
maintain an optimal level of health and fitness.
Below are the screenings your child will receive during the school year as per the New
Jersey State School Health Services Guidelines:
PHYSICALS (by Garfield School Physician): Grades 1, 3, 5 and Self-contained classes
Referral will be sent home for any abnormality noted by the school physician
HEARING SCREENING: Grades Kindergarten, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and Self-contained classes
Referral will be sent home if student does not respond at 20dB HL in either ear
VISION SCREENING: Grades Kindergarten, 2, 4, 6, and Self-contained classes
Referral will be sent for visual acuity of 20/40 and below
SCOLIOSIS SCREENING: Any child 10 years and older
Referral will be sent home for any abnormality noted by the screening
chiropractor
HEIGHT AND WEIGHT: All students
Referral will be sent for weight or height for age greater than 95th percentile or
<5th percentile, dramatic change in growth pattern, or significant weight loss
If you do not want your child to participate in any of the above screenings, you must
send a written statement to the school nurse and your child’s physician must
complete the required screenings. Results of the screenings must be provided to the
school nurse by March 1st of the school year.
IMMUNIZATION and PHYSICAL EXAMINATION
REQUIREMENTS
(as per the New Jersey State Guidelines)
IMMUNIZATIONS:
VACCINE
REQUIREMENT FOR
1-6 YEARS OLD
4 doses with one dose after
DTP
Diptheria/Tetanus/Pertussis the 4th birthday OR any 5
doses
3 doses with one dose after
POLIO
4th birthday OR any 4
doses
2 doses (entering
MMR
Measles/Mumps/Rubella
Kindergarten or 1st grade)
3doses
HEPATITIS B
VARICELLA
1 dose after 1st birthday
(entering Kindergarten or
1st grade)
REQUIREMENT FOR 7
YEARS OLD OR OLDER
3 doses
3 doses
1 dose if born before 1/90
2 doses if born after 1/90
3 doses (a special 2 dose adult
formulation is acceptable if
11-15 years old)
1 dose if born after 1/98
PHYSICAL EXAMINATION:
A documented physical examination by a physician is required upon entrance or transfer
to the Garfield school district. (See Forms link for document)
HEALTH CLINIC INFORMATION
If you have health insurance and are a resident of Garfield, you may receive required
immunizations at no cost from:
Garfield Health Clinic
60 Elizabeth Street
Garfield, NJ 07026
973-340-3044
If you do not have health insurance, you may qualify for assistance and receive required
immunizations from:
North Hudson Community Health Center
535 Midland Avenue
Garfield, NJ 07026
973-340-1182
Additional local clinics:
Hackensack Family Clinic, Hackensack
201-996-2000
St. Mary’s Family Health Center, Passaic
973-470-3019
St. Joseph’s Outpatient Clinic, Paterson
973-754-2270
HEALTH RELATED WEBSITES
http://ww.kidshealth.org
http://www.familycare.org
http://www.bam.gov
http://www.bergenhealth.org