Healthy Student Program is available at Gulf

GULF HIGH SCHOOL, Oct. 13, 2006. -- The Healthy Student Program will be in operation this year at Gulf High School. Susan Girardi, who has been our school nurse since 1982, will be joined in the clinic this year on Tuesdays by Kelly McCullough, who is an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner. Mrs. McCullough is a 1989 graduate of Ridgewood High School and a graduate of USF. She was born in Rockaway, New York. She is married to Mark McCullough, a GHS 1983 graduate; he is a prosthetist.

The following information on the Healthy Student Program taken is from the application form.

Dear Parent:

Your child is eligible for enrollment in the Healthy Student Program, available only at selected schools in the District where there are extended nursing services. Enrollment in this program does not replace the services of your primary health care provider, nor does it replace the need for health insurance for your child.

The main purpose of the Healthy Student Program is to improve school attendance and to reduce health problems that occur during the school day. Healthy Student Program services are offered at no direct cost to you and all students are eligible. The program is the commitment of the District, which believes a child who feels well learns better. A student may be withdrawn from the Healthy Student Program at any time by the parent or the school health services staff with written notice. Services available to students enrolled in the Healthy Student Program are:

• Assessment of acute illness or injury and the administration of limited medications, following physician guidelines and protocols (i.e. Tylenol, Motrin, Robitussin, Turns, antifungal and antibiotics ointments, Benadryl, and Epipen).
• Assessments and follow up of communicable diseases (i.e. pink eye, ringworm and head lice).
• A health professional will communicate with you about your child's particular health findings that require an evaluation, follow up or referral.
• Availability on site of an ARNP for personal consultation with parent or child's health care provider.
• Physical Examinations for School Entry, Sports, or Other activities by an ARNP or MD - includes a complete head to toe examination. If age appropriate the student is educated on self breast/testicular exams. Based upon reported risk factors, breast or testicular exams may be performed. The exam for sports include mandated inguinal hernia exam. GYN exams are not performed in school clinics.
• Lab screenings are done, as needed, including hematocrit/hemoglobin, anemia, blood sugar, urinalysis, rapid Strep A test, TB testing, cholesterol, pregnancy testing, and lead screening.
• Immunizations may be offered at sites on a very limited basis.

Please inform the school nurse of any newly diagnosed health conditions for your child or changes in health status during the school year. The primary goal of school health services is to support the physical and mental well being of your child.

The Healthy Student program is in place at all high schools and at a limited number of middle and elementary schools. In an effort to sustain and fund the program, we encourage you to complete and sign permission to bill third party payers, including Medicaid, on the attached form.

To enroll your child in the Healthy Student Program you must complete the medical history form and sign the parent permission. Return to the school nurse or your student's teacher. Thank you.