Important signs of illness are: temperature of 100°F or greater, nausea/vomiting, stomachache, diarrhea, pale or flushed face, headache, cough, earache, thick discharge from the nose, sore throat, rash or skin infection, red or pink eyes, loss of appetite, and decreased energy level.

Students must be fever free for at least 24 hours (without taking fever reducing medications) before returning to school.

In general, students who are sick with vomiting and/or diarrhea must be symptom free (no episodes of vomiting and stools return to normal) for at least 24 hours prior to returning to school.

Please see Exclusion from School due to Illness Policy for disease or symptom specific information regarding return to school.

The Primary Day School has a “nut aware” policy for the safety of ALL students. However, there are several children at PDS with food allergies. For some children, even small amounts of a food allergen can cause a severe or life-threatening reaction. Every student with a food allergy has a specific treatment plan in place. If your child has allergies, please notify the school nurse. PDS requires written medical documentation of the student’s allergies, an action plan as set forth by the student’s health care provider, as well as TWO current and properly labeled Epi-Pens (or other epinephrine medication).

Please see Food Allergy Policy for more details.

If your child needs to take medication at school (daily medication or “as needed”), the Medication Administration Authorization Form must be completed and signed by the parents as well as the child’s pediatrician. All medicine must be dispensed by the nurse at school, or in case of her absence, by a designated medication administrator.

Please DO NOT send medication to school with children in their backpacks. This includes throat lozenges, lotions, or chapsticks. We have over-the-counter medications stocked and available for your children at PDS if needed while they are at school. Please review, sign, and return the Over-The-Counter Medication Parental Consent Form if you would like your child to be able to receive any of these medications while they are at school.

The Primary Day School follows the Vaccine Requirements as set forth by the Maryland State Department of Health. PDS does not permit any exemptions from vaccination unless there is a medical contraindication as documented by a physician.

Please see Maryland’s Vaccine Requirements for Children Enrolled in Preschool Programs and in Schools for more detailed information.

The Primary Day School’s Health Room stocks a limited inventory of clothing (undergarments, pants, shirts, gloves) that may be loaned to a student in case of emergency or damage to their original clothing while at school (soiled, torn, etc.). While this option is available, we ask that all students keep an extra set of their own clothing at school in case of accidents or emergencies. Please promptly launder and return all loaned clothing items to the Health Room.

Required Health Forms for All Students

Emergency Form

Health Inventory

Immunization Certificate

Blood Lead Testing Certificate

Over-The-Counter Medication Parental Consent Form

Student Medication Administration Forms & Action Plans

Medication Administration Authorization Form

Allergy and Anaphylaxis Medication Administration Authorization Plan

Asthma Action Plan and Medication Administration Authorization Form

Seizure/Convulsion/Epilepsy Disorder Medication Administration Authorization Form

ADA Diabetes Medical Management Plan