School Nurses and Health Services
A school nurse plays a vital role in supporting students’ health, safety, and academic success. By providing first aid, managing chronic conditions like asthma or diabetes, administering medications, and responding to emergencies, the nurse ensures students are healthy and ready to learn. School nurses also promote wellness through health education, early identification of physical and mental health concerns, and collaboration with families and staff. Their presence helps create a safe, supportive environment where students can thrive both physically and academically.
When to Keep Your Student Home From School
Please do not send your student to school if they have any of the symptoms listed below. If you are unsure of any symptoms, contact your school nurse for further guidance before sending your student to school.
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Fever - Students with 100.0 F or above, please stay home for 24 hours after fever is gone, without using fever-reducing medication.
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Vomiting and/or Diarrhea – Student must be diarrhea/vomit free for 24 hours.
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Cough - Students who are coughing continuously should remain home if the cough is such that it interferes with their ability or the ability of others to concentrate on school work.
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Respiratory illness (such as COVID-19, Flu, RSV) - When sick with a respiratory virus, your child should stay home and away from others. They can return to school when, for at least 24 hours, symptoms are improving overall, and if a fever was present, it has been gone without the use of a fever-reducing medication.
When Can My Student Return to School After an Illness?
Any student with a fever above 100°F with flu-like symptoms must stay home at least 24 hours after their fever is gone, without using fever-reducing medications like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil/Motrin).
Please call your school nurse if you have any questions regarding a specific condition.
What If My Student Has Something Other Than the Flu?
If your student has been diagnosed with a different disease such as strep throat, bronchitis, etc., follow your health care provider's recommendation, when to return to school along with Dr’s. note.
Reporting an Absence
Use this link for information on how to report your student's absence.
Immunizations
Tuberculosis Test
If you are moving to the United States from another country, please check with your school nurse to see if you will need a TB test.
Physical Exam Requirements
All new students entering the district are required to have physical exams by a primary care physician. The district recommends that students in 3rd, 6th, 9th and 11th grade get updated physicals. You must have your physician complete the
Physical Exam Form - PHS/PMS and/or
Physical Exam Form - Elementary. All completed forms must be given to the school nurse. Physical exam reports from up to one year prior to the student's start date will be accepted. If you are moving to the United States and want to participate in a school sport, you must have a physical in New Jersey.
Annual Screenings
School nurses conduct health screenings annually as required by the New Jersey Department of Education. Screenings include checking a student's height, weight, blood pressure, vision, hearing, and scoliosis. These screenings are performed according to the mandated schedule.
To exempt your student from the scoliosis screening (performed in grades 5, 7, 9, and 11), please complete the Scoliosis Exemption Form and submit it to the school nurse.
Scoliosis Exemption Form
Medications
The School Nurse or a student’s parent/guardian are the only individuals authorized to dispense medication in the school and on school trips. Students are not allowed to carry their own medication. Rules for medication apply to prescription and non-prescription medicines. EpiPens and asthma inhalers may be carried by the student, provided there is written documentation by the student’s physician given to the nurse each school year.
Athletics
Students who are interested in participating in a sport at Princeton High School or at Princeton Middle School are required to
complete the forms listed on the athletics site and submit the completed forms to the school nurse. Student athletes must also have a physical exam on file. Follow guidelines on Athletic website.
Forms must be submitted prior to the start of each season and cannot be submitted more than 90 days before a season begins.
Frequently Asked Questions
My student has lice. What should I do?
We follow the guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the CDC regarding the treatment for lice. Any time a student shows evidence of head lice, either with the presence of live lice or the presence of new nits, we will notify that student's parents and provide information for proper treatment.
We encourage parents to be proactive with lice and check their student's head and hair on a regular basis. Symptoms of lice include frequent scratching or complaints of itching.
Read the
CDC's information about head lice and recommended treatment.
When is a student allowed to not participate in physical education class?
Every student is expected to participate in their physical education classes. If your student needs to be excused from physical education class, you will need to bring in a note from your physician, physician's assistant, or nurse practitioner. The school nurse may require periodic updates from your health care provider for continued exemptions from physical education activities.
If my student is injured in school or at a sporting event, what should I do?
The Princeton Public School District provides Accident Insurance coverage. This means that only those medical expenses, which are NOT payable by your own personal or group insurance, are eligible for coverage under this policy, up to the policy's limits.
To file an injury claim, please contact your school nurse to obtain an accident insurance form.
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