Home

Research shows that students can begin to reverse their academic difficulties by improving their attendance (Attendanceworks.org).

Link to Sick Child Guidelines from the NJDOH

✅ COUGHING: When it’s okay to go to school>>>

In New Jersey the general rule is that a child can attend school if the cough is manageable and they are otherwise "well."

No Fever: They have been fever-free (under 100.4°F or 100°F, depending on specific district policy) for at least 24 hours without the use of medication like Tylenol or Advil.
Known Cause: If the cough is confirmed to be from allergies or post-viral drainage (not a new, active infection).
Participation: The child feels well enough to play, learn, and focus.
Contained: The child can manage their own tissues and cover their mouth when coughing.

❌ COUGHING: When they should stay home>>>

Even if Upper Airway Cough Syndrome is the primary diagnosis, certain "red flags" mean they need a day of rest:

"Barking" or Excessive Cough: If the cough is so frequent or "uncontrolled" that it disrupts the classroom or makes it hard for the child to catch their breath.
Fatigue: If the drip caused a "rough night" and the child is too exhausted to function.
Nasal Discharge: If the mucus is copious, continuous, and cannot be easily contained with tissues (which increases the risk of spreading other germs).
Co-existing Symptoms: Any new fever, vomiting, or diarrhea within the last 24 hours.

How to Handle the School Day

If you decide to send them, these steps can help reduce the "coughing fits" that often worry teachers and school nurses:

Strategy	Why it helps
Morning Hydration	Thinning out the mucus first thing in the morning makes the cough less "productive" and noisy.
Saline Rinse	Using a saline spray before school clears the "drip" from the back of the throat.
School Nurse Note	If the cough is chronic (e.g., due to seasonal allergies), providing a doctor's note to the nurse can prevent your child from being sent home unnecessarily.
Avoid "Cold Calling"	(For younger kids) Ask the teacher to let the child have a water bottle at their desk, as sips of water can suppress a tickle in the throat.

Common FLU symptoms (Children may need an extended stay home until symptom improvement):

Fever: A fever is common, but not everyone with the flu will have one.

Cough: Often a dry cough.
Sore throat: A scratchy or painful throat is a frequent symptom.

Body aches: Muscle and body aches are a hallmark of the flu.

Fatigue: Extreme tiredness is a significant and often debilitating symptom.

Headache: Headaches can be an early and intense sign of the flu.

Nasal congestion: A runny or stuffy nose can occur.

Less common or associated symptoms:

Digestive issues: Vomiting and diarrhea are more common in children but can happen in adults.

Chills: Shivering and feeling cold are common.

Loss of appetite: Some people experience a loss of appetite while sick.

When to seek medical attention:

Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

Persistent pain or pressure in the chest

Sudden dizziness, confusion, or inability to wake up

Seizures

Persistent vomiting

A fever above:

104∘F

or any fever in an infant under 3 months

22 Ways to Help Your Child Learn to Love School (click over text to read article)

Headlice treatment help>>>click the link below

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gBQN5P1xEM&t=167s

Your child will need to be treated before returning to school.

A personal school nurse suggestion, avoid overuse of harsh treatments: douse your child's hair with olive oil, wrap it firmly in a twisty towel, and let it stay on overnight. Then wash the oil out using Dawn dishwashing soap and remove any nits from the hair using a lice comb and your fingernails (keep a cup and a damp paper towel nearby to wipe them off on). Usually, one treatment such as this does the trick! If not, you can safely do it again (and again). The olive oil leaves their hair looking beautiful as well!

Check out our Public Service Announcement on how to help our school stay healthy: Click >>> PSA: Sanitize

Wash your hands often with soap and water
Avoid touching the eyes, nose, and mouth
Get plenty of sleep
Eat healthy food and drink plenty of fluids

Cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing with a tissue or the crook of your arm.

Maschio's Corporate Headquarters

If your child has a life-threatening food allergy, the safest meal is one packed from home; however, we understand this is not always possible. You may refer to our food service directly>>>

525 E. Main Street
Chester, NJ 07930
Phone: 973.598.0005
Fax: 973.598.0007

Request more information
[email protected]

Your opinion matters very much to us!
We’d love to hear from you!
[email protected]

For parents interested in a meal modification for any medical diagnosis (e.g. allergies, Celiac, diabetes, lactose intolerance, etc.), we require documentation from the child’s healthcare provider. Go to the Important Docs tab for the needed forms.

Peanut/Tree Nut AWARE = Maschio’s will not purchase anything containing these items but students, staff, & faculty ARE allowed to bring items to school per the district's policy.

An ongoing goal of the Poison Experts from the NJ Poison Center is for everyone to program the number>>>>

800 222 1222 into their phones.

Please follow on Facebook by clicking www.facebook.com/NJPIES

Thank you for working with me to keep our community healthy and safe!

"You can’t educate a child who isn’t healthy and you can’t keep a child healthy who isn’t educated” Dr. Joycelyn Elders, 15th Surgeon General of the United States.

Mrs. Sue March RN, BSN, CSN/NJ

School Nurse

Belvidere Elementary School

(908)475-4001 ext. 2006

Office Hours-7:35 am-2:35 pm >>>> leave me a message anytime

>>>The attendance line (available 24/7) comes to me<<<

Email me >>> [email protected]

Health screenings are provided at grade levels recommended by the NJDOH. Screenings include height, weight, blood pressure, vision, and hearing. Preschool students receive a brief dental screening. Scoliosis screenings are completed in 5th and 7th grade.

Referrals are made for any questionable findings, as screenings do not replace a doctor's examination.

Please use the Parent Portal (preferred) to report absences. This ensures your child's safety as we are a walking district. The attendance line is also available 24/7 to leave a message when your child needs to miss school. Our main # is (908)475-4001. Listen for the prompt for the attendance line.

If your child requires medication at school, please have your doctor complete the required authorization forms (available on the important docs tab above).