Janney Elementary School

School Services

Health: The Health Suite is open during school hours for students with illnesses and injuries that occur during the school day. The school nurse also conducts a variety of screenings (vision, hearing, scoliosis, blood pressure), assists students with chronic illnesses, and teaches health-related classes. Guidelines are as follows:

•  Children with a temperature over 100 or who have been vomiting within the last 24 hours should be kept home. Children diagnosed with a contagious disease such as strep throat or pink eye should be kept home until completing the first 24 hours of antibiotics.

•  District of Columbia law requires that any medicine to be taken during the school day, whether prescription or over-the-counter, must have a written physician's order and the parent's written permission. There are no exceptions. Medication administration forms are available in the Health Suite. All medications must be brought to the Health Suite by the parent and given to the nurse. Do not send medication in your child's backpack or lunch box for self administration.

•  The following immunizations are required: DTP, polio, MMR, Hib, Hepatitis B, and Varicella (this may be waived if the child has had chickenpox). Students who do not have the required immunizations or proper paperwork may be excluded from school. Please call the Health Suite if you have questions about your child's immunization status, or if you would like information on locations and hours of free immunization clinics.

•  Physical exams, dental exams, and current immunization certificates are required for all students entering pre-K, K, 1st, 3rd, and 5th grades. Parents must complete the first two pages of the health certificate. Your child's physician should complete pages 3 and 4.

•  Allergies: If your child has allergies, especially to food, medicine, or bee stings, let the school nurse know immediately in writing so it can be noted on the student's health record and the teacher can be notified. If the allergy is life threatening, please see the nurse regarding the physician's orders for medication at school.

•  Head lice: PTA volunteers check all students at the start of school and after winter and spring breaks. If your child contracts head lice, please notify the school nurse immediately so that his or her class can be checked as well. Janney has a no nonsense policy, requiring that all eggs must be removed before returning to school. Information on how to deal with head lice at home and school are available from the nurse.

Questions about these guidelines or about your child's health should be directed to the school nurse at 282-0063.

Lost and Found : The lost and found area (box and wall pegs) is located against the back wall of the auditorium for any missing articles of clothing. All unclaimed items are donated to charity every two weeks due to space limitations and the potential for lice infestation. Please check the lost and found area regularly.

Meals : The lunch period is 20 minutes long with all students, except those in pre-K and Kindergarten, eating in the auditorium. There is a peanut-free table for those with nut allergies. School hot lunches are available for $1.25 each. Breakfasts cost 70 cents. Students may purchase milk for 35 cents in the auditorium. Students may not use the vending machines or microwave in the staff room. Application forms for subsidized breakfast and lunch are distributed at the beginning of the school year to all students. Prices are subject to change. Pre-K and Kindergarten students have morning snack in their rooms. Parents share in the responsibility for providing snack with a schedule set at the beginning of the year.