School Nurse
A registered nurse is on duty every school day from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The nurse is available for first aid, health screening, and to promote the health and safety of the entire Murch school community. Confidentiality on all health matters is respected. The school nurse can be reached at the Health Suite phone (202) 282-0354.
Health Forms and Immunizations
The DC School Health Services Program requires that all students present certification that they are up-to-date on Health Requirements before the first day of school.
Please submit a Universal Health Certificate and an Oral Health Assessment Form in order to complete enrollment.
A listing of free immunization clinics is available in the nurse's office. We highly recommend you keep a copy of your completed health forms for your own records.
Required Health Screenings
Children's School Services provides the following in-school screenings:
- Vision screening in the following grades: Pre-K, K (vision/muscle balance), 1, 2, 3 and 5
- Hearing screening in the following grades: K, 1, 2, 3 and 5
Medications at School
D.C. policy requires that a DC Medication Plan Form be completed by both parent and physician before any prescription or over-the-counter medication can be administered to a child.
The District of Columbia enacted The Student Access to Treatment Act of 2007 (SATA). This law permits students enrolled to self-administer inhaled asthma medication and auto-injectable epinephrine at school, in transit to, and from school on school- sponsored transportation, and at school- sponsored activities provided they have a written authorization from their healthcare provider, have a medication action plan on file with the school, and are capable of self- administration.
If your child needs to take medication or receive a medical treatment during school hours, please have your medical provider complete the DC Medication Plan Form and submit it to the school nurse.
Chronic Illness
Parents of children with a history of any chronic illness (food allergy, asthma, etc.) that may affect school performance should contact the school nurse to develop an individual health plan.
Communicable Diseases
Parents are requested to report immediately any child's communicable illness (e.g. strep throat, chicken pox, lice, etc.) to the nurse. Children with fever, sore throat, or nausea should not come to school. Students with possible contagious eye infections, undiagnosed skin eruptions, head lice, or illness that interferes with classroom performance will be excluded from class. Parents will be notified to pick up the child. Children should be fever-free for 24 hours before returning to school. Children being treated for communicable illnesses should not return unless their healthcare providers have given written medical clearance to return. This form should be submitted to the nurse to be kept on file at the school.
Please visit the DCPS site for more information about Communicable Diseases and Common Pests.
Accident or Sudden Illness at School
The school nurse will contact parents to advise them in case of illness or accident. Please keep work numbers current. The school must have the number of a relative, friend, or neighbor in case parents cannot be reached. If emergency transportation is required, a student will be accompanied by a staff member if the parent is not present. If your child should develop any symptoms of the flu, such as feeling tired, cough, runny nose, sore throat and a temperature of 100 degrees or higher it is important that you keep him/her at home and contact your healthcare provider to obtain a medical evaluation.