>> Click here to read the VSNB Student Wellness Policy on student physical activity and nutrition.

Student Illness: If a student is injured or ill, the student should tell a teacher and ask for permission to see the school nurse. If the nurse deems it necessary for the student to leave school, the parent or designee will be notified. The school nurse is authorized to administer emergency first aid. If an injury appears serious, the parents will be notified and transportation home or to the hospital will be arranged. It is very important that the school be provided with all parent contact numbers, as well as at least two emergency contacts in case the parent(s) cannot be reached.

Medication: If a student needs to take any medication, prescription or non-prescription, during the school day, the student must follow these rules: Obtain a medication authorization form from the school nurse. This form must be completed and signed by the parent/guardian and the physician; return the form to the school nurse with the medication. The medication needs to be in the original packaging with the student’s name and DOB on it, and the doctor’s orders must be included. NO student is permitted to carry medication on school grounds. Parents or parent designee MUST deliver and pick up any medication. There are special circumstances in which students are given permission to “self carry” medications to use as needed. Approval from the school nurse and written prescription are required to “self carry.” Students carrying medications (prescription and non-prescription) without proper authorization as stated above are subject to disciplinary action.

Screening and Immunizations:  Vision and hearing screening will occur for students in grades Pre-K, K,1,3,5, as well as for students with an IEP or 504 plan. VSNB complies with Vermont State law regarding immunizations. Our school nurse will contact any parent whose youngster may be missing a required immunization.

When to Keep a Student with Illness at Home:  It can be hard to know when to keep children home from school. Usually the best place for them is school, but there are times when staying home to rest or making an appointment with your health care provider is necessary and recommended. Please keep your student home if any of the following apply:

•A temperature greater than 100.4°F (this is considered a fever). The student must be fever-free for 24 hours, without the use of fever reducers (such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen), before returning to school. Please do not give students fever reducers and send them to school. They are still contagious and should not be around other children.

•Vomiting and/or diarrhea within the last 12 hours.

•Severe sore throat for more than 48 hours and/or exposure to strep throat; please contact your healthcare provider.

•Honey-crusted sores around the nose and mouth; please contact your healthcare provider.

•Unidentified rash on any area of the body; please contact your healthcare provider.

•Large amounts of mucus or discharge from nose and face pain or headache; please contact your healthcare provider.

•Severe ear pain or fluid coming from the ear; please contact your healthcare provider.

•Severe headache, especially with fever; please contact your healthcare provider.

Remind children to throw away used tissues, cover their mouths when they cough or sneeze, keep their hands away from their face, and to wash hands often with soap and warm water. This will help keep everyone healthier. If you find your child is frequently asking to stay home from school and there do not appear to be any physical symptoms, if they are falling behind or appear anxious about school, contact the school nurse or your health care provider to discuss your concern.

Stay Home When Sick:

School health personnel will use the COVID-19 in Pediatric Patients Flow Chart (Pre-K – Grade 12) Triage, Evaluation, Testing, and Return to School in partnership with pediatric providers and families to guide medical decision-making. 

All students and staff should stay home if they: 

• Show symptoms of COVID-19; 
• Have a fever (temperature greater than 100.4°F); or 
• Are currently in quarantine due to close contact with an individual with COVID-19 or in isolation due to testing positive for COVID-19. 

If symptoms begin while at school, the student or staff member will be sent home as soon as possible, and the individual will be isolated from other staff and students until they can go home. 

• If COVID-19 is confirmed in a student or staff member, the person diagnosed with COVID-19 will need to isolate according to guidelines set forth by the VDOH. 
• Any staff or student member that has been identified as a close contact will need to quarantine. 
• VSNB will follow the AOE’s health guidance, procedural guidelines, and cleaning protocols for any case of COVID-19 in school.
• VSNB will participate in contact tracing as requested by the Health Department. 
• The school will communicate with staff and parents/caregivers with information while maintaining patient confidentiality. 
• If COVID-19 is confirmed in a student or staff member, VSNB will work with the Department of Health to determine next steps. 
• The decision to close school or certain classrooms for in-person instruction will be made by the HoS after consulting with the Department of Health. 
• If the level of community transmission increases in our school’s region, the HoS may use this as an indicator for closing the school for in-person instruction. The school has distance learning plans in place to be able to pivot to this modality at any time.

Masks:

Students and staff will be required to wear a face mask every day within the school building. 

Acceptable masks include:  

• Multilayer masks made of washable, breathable fabric (the CDC recommends masks with two or more layers)
• Disposable surgical masks (multilayer are best)

Unacceptable masks: 

• Bandanas
• Neck gaiters (cloth tubes that wrap around the face)
• Masks with valves (these only protect the wearer)
• Knitted or fleece masks