School Nurse

Welcome to Freedom High School Clinic
Freedom High School Logo

Suzanne Fisher, BSN, RN, NCSN 
School Nurse 
Flor Romero 
Clinic Attendant  

Phone: 703-583-1405 
Fax: 703-580-7280 

As we are entering the cold and flu season, this is a reminder of the best health practices to decrease the spread and transmission of viruses in PWCS schools.

Please remember to cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and throw used tissues in the trash.  If you don't have a tissue, cough, or sneeze into your elbow, not your hands.  Wash hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds, dry hands with a paper towel, and use the paper towel to turn off the faucet.  If soap and water are not available, hand sanitizers may also be used to perform hand hygiene.  Remember to stay home when you’re sick until at least 24 hours without a fever or the use of fever-reducing medicine.  Together we can help stop the spread of germs that may make you and others ill."   

What Services Does the School Nurse Provide?

Health Services: Assesses health and development, provides nursing interventions, and evaluates students' responses to care. 

Health Education: Provides health education to students, staff, and parents. 

Healthy Environment: Identifies health and safety concerns in the school environment. 

Nutritional Services: Supports healthy food services programs. 

Physical Education/Activity: Promotes health and physical education which promotes healthy behaviors. 

Immunizations

Meningococcal Conjugate (MenACWY) Vaccine - Effective July 1, 2021, a minimum of 2 doses of MenACWY vaccine. The first dose should be administered prior to entering 7th grade. The final dose should be administered prior to entering 12th grade. 

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine - Effective July 1, 2021, a complete series of 2 doses of HPV vaccine is required for students entering the 7th grade. The first dose shall be administered before the child enters the 7th grade. After reviewing educational materials approved by the Board of Health, the parent or guardian, at the parent's or guardian's sole discretion, may elect for the child not to receive the HPV vaccine. 

Hepatitis A (HAV) Vaccine - Effective July 1, 2021, a minimum of 2 doses of Hepatitis A vaccine. The first dose should be administered at age 12 months or older. 

Student Health Information

Parents, it is very important that your student maintains good attendance. They can't learn if they are not in school. However, there are some situations where the school may have to send your student home. These are also reasons why you may need to keep your child home: 

  •  Fever of 100 degrees F or higher. Students must be fever-free for at least 24    hours without the use of fever-reducing medications. 
  •  Contagious infections such as Pink eye or Strep throat. These illnesses must be treated for at least 24 hours with prescription medication before returning to school. 
  •  Unexplained rash 
  •  Head injury 
  •  Colds with constant cough, thick nasal discharge or difficulty breathing. 
  •  Diarrhea or vomiting 
  •  Stiff neck related to fever or injury 
  •  In case of illness outbreak in the schools, students that are inadequately vaccinated. 

Parents, please become familiar with some common Prince William County Regulations that govern a lot of our clinic practices: 

Asthma/Asthma Action Plan Regulation 757-5 

Allergy/Allergy action Plan Regulation 757-2 

Diabetes forms/Treatment Plan Regulation 757-6 

Seizure Regulation 757-7 

Emergency Treatment form Regulation 757-3 

Medication administration form Regulation 757-4 

Regulations and forms can be viewed and or downloaded by visiting Policies and Regulations on the PWCS home page. 

Forms need to be completed EACH school year for any health assistance your child may need to include prescription or Over-The-Counter medication or specific health condition Health Treatment Plans 

All Medications-Prescription or Over the Counter 

All students and parents are reminded of the following: 

  •  School personnel cannot administer any medication until a form, signed by the parent is on file in the clinic. 
  •  All medications, prescriptions and/or over the counter (i.e. Tylenol, Advil, Ibuprofen, etc.) must be in the original sealed container and kept in the clinic.  
  • Prescription medication: Must have physician's signature on the medication form before administration. 
  • Students may keep in their possession certain medications, as warranted with a Health Treatment Plan on file signed by the physician stating that student may self-carry medication (Inhalers & Epi-Pens).
  • Under no other circumstances will students be permitted to carry medication without appropriate documentation.  

REMEMBER TO: 

Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hands. 

Wash your hands with soap and water after coughing and sneezing. 

Toss used tissue in a trash can.