Health Services
Staff
| First | Last | School | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heather | Emerson | Warren Community School Friendship Village School | School Nurse |
| Miranda | Jandreau | Miller School Friendship Village School | School Nurse |
| Sherri | Vail | Medomak Valley High School | School Nurse |
| Michele | Cooney | Medomak Middle School Medomak Valley High School Union Elementary School Prescott Memorial School | School Nurse |
| Gwen | Waltz | Medomak Valley High School Medomak Middle School | Health Aide |
| DeAnn | Vigue | Warren Community School Miller School | Health Aide |
| Nancy | Vannah | Central Office | Administrative Assistant |
The goal of School Health Services is to keep your children as healthy as possible so that they may have happy and productive school years.
If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s health, do not hesitate to contact your school nurse. In addition to the programs listed here, the school nurse also provides health teaching and counseling, works closely with students experiencing disabilities, attends PET meetings where health is a concern and acts as a health education resource person. Your school nurse may be reached by calling the District Health Office at 207-785-2277, Ext.224, or their school directly.
The RSU 40 School Health Team is made up of Andrew Russ, M.D., our school physician; Sherri Vail, RN, Michele Cooney, RN, Heather Emerson, RN, and Miranda Jandreau, RN, our school nurses; Nancy Vannah, our school health secretary located at the District Health Office; as well as our school health aides, DeAnn Vigue and Gwen Waltz.
Recommendations about health matters and an annual review of our school health policies come from the RSU 40 Medical Advisory Committee (members listed below).
School Health Services is aimed toward the early detection and correction of health problems and the prevention of illness and disability. Your healthy child will have a much better chance to learn and gain from their educational experience in our schools. Recommendations for RSU 40 School Health Services are made by the Maine State Department of Education and Cultural Services and RSU 40 School Health Policies.
RSU 40 Medical Advisory Committee Members
Andrew Russ, M.D.
Mary Ashmore, D.O.
Janet Yost, CPNP
AnniPat McKenney, Director of Coulombe Ctr.
Keith Siegel, Respiratory Therapist
Derek Booker, EMS Director, Waldoboro
Michael Poli, Paramedic
Lorraine Lash, R.N.
Sandra Lufkin, R.N.
Steve Nolan, RSU 40 Superintendent
Karen Brackett, RSU 40 Director of Student Services
Maida Cordero, Guidance Counselor, MVHS
Sherri Vail, RSU 40 District School Nurse
Michele Cooney, RSU 40 District School Nurse
Heather Emerson, RSU 40 District School Nurse
Miranda Jandreau, RSU 40 District School Nurse
Nancy Vannah, RSU 40 District Health Admin Asst
If Your Child Needs to Take Medication
For the protection of children, as well as staff, the administration of medication at school will be done only when it is part of a doctor’s established plan of care and there is not a satisfactory alternative. Many doctors agree that medication to be given 3 or 4 times a day can easily be given before and after school. State and district policy permit the administration of medication in school if:
1. A signed Medication Administration Form has been received and signed by both the parent and doctor.
2. The parent or guardian bring the medication to school in the original container with the prescription label attached.
No over-the-counter medication (i.e. ibuprofen, acetaminophen, earache or toothache drops) may be given unless permission in writing is received from your doctor.
Immunization Requirements for School Admission
Vaccines are a safe and inexpensive way to provide long lasting protection against certain diseases which may cause permanent mental or physical damage to your child.
Maine State Law requires that all school children in Pre-Kindergarten through the 12th grade be protected against polio, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), tetanus (lock jaw), measles, rubella (German measles), mumps, chicken pox and meningococcal. Before registering for school, all children must present an immunization record signed by the physician, nurse, or health official who gave the vaccine. The record must show the date (month, day and year) and type of vaccine given.
Maine State Law requires that all children entering a public kindergarten through grade 12 program must have, at a minimum, documentation of the following immunizations:
| 5 doses of DPT/DT/Dtap (Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus) vaccine |
| 4 doses of IPV/OPV (Polio) vaccine |
| 2 dose of MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccine |
| 2 doses of Varicella (Chicken Pox) vaccine or proof from physician of actual disease |
| and |
| 1 dose of Tdap booster (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis) vaccine and 1 dose of Meningococcal is required for children prior to entering 7th grade. |
| 2 doses of Meningococcal are required for children prior to entering 12th grade. |
Maine State Law requires that all children entering a public pre-kindergarten program must have, at a minimum, documentation of the following immunizations:
| 4 doses of DPT/DT/Dtap (Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus) vaccine |
| 3 doses of IPV/OPV (Polio) vaccine |
| 1 dose of MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccine |
| Varicella (Chicken Pox) vaccine or proof from physician of actual disease |
If immunization against one or more of the diseases is determined to be medically inadvisable, the parent must present to the school a physician’s written statement to that effect, at the time of registration to school. If the statement does not include all diseases, the child must meet the immunization/immunity requirements for the other diseases.
To demonstrate that a child is immune to any of the diseases, the parent must present the school with laboratory evidence demonstrating immunity at the time of registration.
Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten Registration
As part of registering your child for Pre-Kindergarten or Kindergarten, you will be asked to complete an online registration. This will include a health section for you to complete for your child. The school nurse will review your child’s health needs prior to them entering school.
In addition, Maine State Law requires that a child be fully immunized in order to attend school. When completing the online registration, there is a link to upload your child’s immunization records.
As the immunization requirements differ for Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten students, below are the guidelines to follow for both grades.
Immunizations Needed For Pre-Kindergarten
Maine State Law requires that all children entering a public Pre-Kindergarten Program must have, at a minimum, documentation of the following immunizations:
4 Doses of Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus Vaccine (DPT/DTaP)
3 Doses of Polio Vaccine (IPV, OPV)
1 Dose of Measles, Mumps, Rubella Vaccine (MMR)
1 Dose of Varicella Vaccine (Chicken Pox) or Documentation from a physician of having had the Chicken Pox Disease
Immunizations Needed For Kindergarten
Maine State Law requires that all children entering a public Kindergarten Program must have, at a minimum, documentation of the following immunizations:
5 Doses of Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus Vaccine (DPT/DTaP)
4 Doses of Polio Vaccine (IPV, OPV)
2 Dose of Measles, Mumps, Rubella Vaccine (MMR)
2 Doses of Varicella Vaccine (Chicken Pox) or Documentation from a physician of having had the Chicken Pox Disease
Fluoride Varnish Program
Fluoride Treatment at School
With your permission, your child can get a free fluoride varnish treatment at school.
A health professional will provide dental screening and apply a fluoride varnish treatment to help strengthen the teeth. This program receives funding from the Maine Center for Disease Control & Prevention and the Maine Oral Health Program.
What is Fluoride Varnish?
Fluoride Varnish is a protective coating that is painted on teeth to help prevent new cavities and to help stop cavities that are already started.
Why is Fluoride Varnish recommended for children’s teeth?
Tooth decay is one of the most common preventable diseases seen in children. Cavities in teeth can cause pain and effect children’s ability to eat, speak, sleep, and learn properly. Children do not lose all their baby teeth until they are 12 to 13 years old.
Is Fluoride Varnish safe?
Yes, Fluoride Varnish can be used on babies from the time they get their first teeth. Only a small amount of Fluoride Varnish is used. This method has been used in Europe for more than 30 years. Fluoride Varnish is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is endorsed by the American Dental Association.
How is it put on the teeth?
The Fluoride Varnish is applied to the teeth, by a health professional, using a small disposable brush. It is quick and easy to apply and does not have a bad taste. There is no pain when applying the Fluoride Varnish. Your child will be able to eat right after this treatment.
How long does the Fluoride Varnish last?
The effects of Fluoride Varnish will last up to several months and will be applied to your child’s teeth two times a year.
How to I get a Fluoride Varnish Permission Slip?
If you wish for your child to receive Fluoride Varnish twice during the school year, your permission is needed each year by checking the Fluoride permission box during the online registration process at the beginning of every school year. Fluoride Varnish is available to all students in grades Pre-K through 6 whose parents have indicated consent through this online registration process.
If you would like to make a change in status for your child concerning Fluoride Varnish at school at any time during the school year, please contact your child’s school nurse.
Vision and Hearing Screening
Hearing and Vision Screenings are done in various grades throughout the school year. If your child should fail these screenings or is having difficulty seeing or hearing in class, you will receive a letter from School Health Services advising that your child be further evaluated.
When Your Child Is Sick
Children who are ill should not be sent to school. If your child becomes ill in school, every effort will be made to locate you so that you may take your child home.
At the beginning of each school year you will be asked to complete and/or update your child’s information through the Student Online Registration. It is very important to complete this online registration at the beginning of every school year so that the school has, at all times, current telephone numbers where you may be reached in case of emergency or illness. Be sure to let the school know if these numbers change.
Communicable Disease
When your child has a communicable disease, (i.e. chicken pox, strep infections, etc.) we ask that you notify your child’s school. This information enables us to let other parents know, if need be, through school newsletters or classroom memos, that there is a communicable disease they need to watch for at home. If your child has symptoms suggestive of a communicable disease, you will be called to pick your child up from school. You will be asked to take your child to the doctor or begin appropriate treatment before returning him or her to school.