Hello Hammerschmidt Incoming Kindergarten Families,

I am Jenn Kurtz, the School Nurse, and I am looking forward to meeting all of you next year! I wanted to introduce myself and let you know that I am the Certified School Nurse at both Hammerschmidt and Pleasant Lane Elementary Schools in Lombard School District 44.

I am including information that we would typically go through together at Kindergarten Orientation, as well as a Health Office Notes handout to refer back to throughout the school year. If you have any questions after reviewing the information or would like to talk to me directly about a health related concern for your child, please send me a message at jkurtz@sd44.org.

Prior to the first day of Kindergarten, an Illinois Certificate of Child Health Examination form (physical exam) should be submitted to the Health Office. Most of the physical form will be completed by your child’s physician, but please remember to fill out the section labeled “Health History,” sign, and date, so it is fully completed. An Illinois Vision Exam form must be completed by an eye doctor (optometrist or ophthalmologist, not your child’s pediatrician) and be submitted by October 15, 2024. Lastly, an Illinois Dental Exam form must be completed by your child’s dentist and submitted by May 15, 2025.

If your child has any significant health concerns, such as a food allergy, asthma, diabetes, migraines, seizures, insect sting allergy, or any other major concern, please have your child’s health care provider complete a Health Care Plan and return it to school on or before the first day of school.

If your child is required to take any medication while at school, whether it be prescription, over-the-counter, or cough drops, a Medication Permission Form must be completed by you and your child’s physician. The Health Office will only be allowed to administer medication to your child at school if this form has been received.

All forms are located and available for you to print on the sd44.org website. Click on the School tab, go to Hammerschmidt Elementary School, then click on Parent and scroll to the Health Office. The Health Care Plans and the Medication Permission Form are located at the bottom of the page.

Our goal is to have your child in school feeling healthy, happy, and able to attend in order to learn as much as possible. Please feel free to contact me with any questions. Thank you!

Sincerely,

Jenn C. Kurtz, MAT, BSN, RN, PEL-CSN, NCSN

Certified School Nurse

Hammerschmidt School

Phone: 630-827-4681

Email: jkurtz@sd44.org

Fax: 630-627-3733

HEALTH OFFICE NOTES

MEDICATIONS:

All medication (prescription, over-the-counter, cough drops, etc.) requires the following in the health office:

• Parent portion of medication permission form completed

• Doctor’s portion of medication permission form completed (may be faxed to school)

• Medication in the prescription bottle or OTC medication with the child’s name on it

Medication permission forms are available in the health office.

ILLNESS: PLEASE KEEP A STUDENT HOME FOR THE FOLLOWING:

• Fever – 100 degrees or higher

• Vomiting or diarrhea

• White patches in the throat or on the tonsils

• Difficulty swallowing or talking

• Persistent cough/extreme congestion (nose or chest)

• Undiagnosed rash

• Red or irritated eyes which may be Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis)

DO NOT SEND A CHILD BACK TO SCHOOL UNTIL:

• Temperature is normal without medication for 24 hours

• No vomiting or diarrhea for 24 hours

• Breathing comfortably without medication

• On antibiotics for 24 hours for Pink Eye or Impetigo

• On antibiotics for 24 hours and temperature has returned to normal for Strep Throat

If your child has any contagious illness/condition such as Covid-19, Chicken Pox, Impetigo, Lice, Mono, Pink Eye, Ringworm, Scabies, Scarlet Fever, Strep Throat, Fifth Disease, etc., please contact the school health office to report the illness as soon as possible.

Your child can be excused from PE class for 2 days with a parent note. To be excused any longer requires a note from the doctor. Please note: NO PE = NO RECESS.

Our goal is to have your child in school feeling healthy and happy, able to pay attention, and learn as much as possible.

Save the date for WHS PTA’s Back to School Pool Party on August 10. We know summer calendars fill up fast.

This is a free event for all WHS students and families. It's the perfect opportunity to soak up the sun, make a splash, and mingle with friends old and new.

WHS PTA FACEBOOK PAGE:

Join the WHS PTA Facebook Page so you will always have the most up-to-date information for all the PTA events happening throughout the school year.

August 14 -- 1st DAY OF SCHOOL for the 2024-2025 School Year!