Nurses' Office Resources

Please report all contagious illnesses to the Nurse’s Office. The Department of Health may require the reporting of certain communicable diseases to advise on the mitigation of transmission. The instructions below apply to students, faculty, and staff. 

• Stay home when you are sick. Return to normal activities when, you are fever-free for at least 24 hours, without the use of fever-reducing medication, AND symptoms are improving overall.
• After returning to normal activities, you are encouraged to take added precautions over the next 5 days, including wearing a mask and testing (i.e., for Covid) to avoid spreading infection.
• If symptoms worsen or a fever develops or returns, remain at home. Use the same criteria for returning to school as when you first had symptoms.

Vaccination: Packer strongly encourages staying up-to-date with Covid and Flu vaccinations. 

Print important health policy information.

Packer is an Allergy Aware School. Tree nuts (cashews, walnuts, pistachios, etc), peanuts, and sesame ARE NOT PERMITTED on campus or at off-campus school activities (including athletics). There are NO EXCEPTIONS to this policy. 

Allergy Action Plans:

All students with severe allergies must have an annual Allergy Action Plan uploaded to the Magnus Health Portal.  The Allergy Action Plan must be completed and signed by both the healthcare provider and a parent/caregiver.  

Packer Food Plans:

Preschool and Lower School students with severe allergies may participate in school-provided snacks and celebration food items provided by families and community members (i.e, birthday treats) only if the parent/caregiver has provided explicit permission and signed the waiver in the Magnus Student Health Tracker.

Third and Fourth Grade students with severe allergies may join the Packer meal plan after meeting with both the Food Services Director and the Nurse.

EpiPens:

PS/LS students must keep an EpiPen in the classroom. 

MS students must keep an extra EpiPen the the Nurse’s Office. 

MS and US students with severe allergies are expected to carry their EpiPens when on campus and at off-campus Packer activities. They may be excluded from activities if they do not have their rescue medication.

Student health forms must be submitted annually to the Magnus Health portal.  Students may face exclusion from school, athletics, and trips if health forms are not submitted in a timely manner. Electronic forms are to be completed by the parent/guardian every summer, and printable forms are to be completed by the healthcare provider at the child’s annual visit.

All students must comply with the New York State Immunization Requirements for School Entrance/ Attendance. 

In addition to the forms required for all students, students with severe allergies, asthma, diabetes, or seizure disorders will find additional form requirements in the Student Health Tracker. 

For support with submitting your health forms, please contact Magnus Support (877) 461-6831.

We depend on parents/guardians to submit accurate and updated health information so that we can provide the highest quality care for our students. 

Sign in to Magnus Health

• The Nurse's Office must be informed of any contagious illness. 
• Students who become sick in school must be picked up within the hour.
• Students who have a fever of ≥ 100°F must remain home until they are fever-free for at least 24 hours, without the use of fever-reducing medication. Students who have vomited must remain home for at least 24 hours after the last episode of vomiting.  Students diagnosed with strep throat or conjunctivitis (pink eye) must remain home until they have completed at least 24 hours of antibiotic treatment. Students should not attend school if they have a persistent cough or continuous runny nose. Students may not return to school midday after being out for illness. 

Students who need to take medications during school hours must provide the Nurse’s Office with a copy of the prescription or a written order from the prescribing healthcare provider. All medication must be delivered to the Nurse’s Office in the original pharmacy-labeled container.

• Students returning to school with any orthopedic appliance (e.g., cast, crutches, sling, walking boot), or those excused from physical activities such as sports or gym, must provide a written note from a healthcare provider clearing the student to attend school and specifying the level of activity permitted. Return to School/Activity Form may be used.
   
• Students who have had surgery or received stitches must also return with a healthcare provider’s clearance note. Return to School/Activity Form may be used.
   
• The Nurse’s Office will work with the student’s family and healthcare provider to determine any necessary school accommodations, which may include:
   
  • Use of an elevator pass
     
  • Excuse from PE or dance classes
     
  • Assistance with writing or carrying materials

Packer follows strict head injury and concussion management guidelines as mandated by New York State. If a student is diagnosed with a head injury or concussion, the following protocol must be followed:

• The student may not return to school without a written medical note from a healthcare provider. This note must include a diagnosis, any physical or academic restrictions, and a clear plan for return to the classroom and physical activities.
• Students must come to the Nurse’s Office before the start of the first day back at school.
• Students will not be permitted to resume physical activity (including PE, dance, garden recess, and athletics) until they are able to participate fully in their academic program and have provided written orders from their healthcare provider.
• The School Nurses partner with the Athletic Trainers (for sports-related injuries) and coordinate communication between the healthcare provider and the student’s Dean/Advisor. 
• Ongoing check-ins with the Nurse, Athletic Trainer (for sports-related injuries), and  Dean may be required to monitor recovery and adjust academic or physical accommodations as needed.