A NOTE FROM THE NURSE
Greetings from the Martin's Mill Health Office! Welcome to all new and returning families! As your school nurse, I enjoy the very special privilege of caring for your child. Please take a few minutes from your busy day to note some very important information that will help me provide the best care and service to your family.

Medication: I am happy to assist students who need medications at school, and request that all medications be brought to school by a parent, guardian or designated adult, not a child, for reasons of safety. Medications, both prescription and over-the-counter, will require written consent and dosage instructions by a parent or guardian. Please note that Texas Law does not permit public schools to provide non-prescription drugs such as Tylenol, Advil, or cough syrups, etc. (these need to be supplied from home).

Aerosolizing Procedures: Nebulized medications are considered an aerosolizing procedure that generates higher concentrations of infectious respiratory aerosols than coughing, talking, or breathing and should be avoided at school. Parents will need to collaborate with the nurse to discuss options concerning nebulizer treatments.

First Aid for Injury: We make every effort to safeguard your child's health at school. In the event of a serious accident or emergency, you will be contacted immediately. When a parent or guardian cannot be reached, the student will be transported by ambulance to an appropriate medical facility and accompanied by a nurse, administrator or designated faculty member. To ensure optimum care, it is important to update us continually with new phone numbers, changes in your child's health, new medications, or anything else that impacts his or her well-being at school.

Health Screening: Vision and hearing screening is performed on all preschool, kindergarten, first, third, fifth, seventh, and new-to-district students in accordance with Texas guidelines. Additionally, students who show signs of vision or hearing difficulty (any grade) may be screened to rule out a problem. Please don't hesitate to contact me or your child's teacher if you would like your child screened at any time during the school year. Also, in accordance with Texas guidelines, spinal screening, to detect abnormal curvature of the spine, is performed on all 10and 12 year old girls, and 13 year old boys. If a problem exists, you will be notified and referred for further medical evaluation if needed.

Control of Communicable Disease and Illness: Your child's good health is important to us! Hygiene and health are taught and emphasized throughout the year. I will periodically send home information about what's "going around," and will share tips to keep your family well. Please call or see me whenever you are not certain about sending your child to school.

Illness: If your child becomes sick during the day, you will be contacted to pick up your child in a timely manner. MMISD will have return to school guidelines, including mitigation strategies, illness exclusion, and readmission procedures.  MMISD will follow all guidelines set by the Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS), Texas Education Agency (TEA), and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

You are encouraged to share any concerns or problems relevant to your child's health. If you have any questions or would like to meet with me, please do not hesitate to contact me at (903) 479-3706 or email  amclemore@martinsmillisd.net Clinic hours are from 7:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Best Wishes for a healthy school year.

Amber McLemore, RN, School Nurse