(Students Must Have a Pass & ID To Receive Treatment)

The Absegami High School's School Health Services Program is designed to maximize an individual's health potential and provide a broad spectrum of health services to students. The goals of the school health services program are to:

•   identify health defects and needs of pupils
•   assist pupils in becoming increasingly responsible for their own health
•   promote the optimal level of health for pupils
•   provide health education and health counseling for pupils and parents

Screenings
Auditory Screenings
The purpose of an auditory screening program is to identify students with any hearing loss that may impact their intellectual, emotional, social, speech, or language development. The subtlety of a hearing loss may lead to that hearing loss being overlooked. Even mild hearing losses may be educationally and medically significant.

Vision Screening
In order to detect visual impairment, the vision screening process is essential for all children enrolled in school. Vision problems affect the development, adjustment and achievement of the child. Children with vision problems are often not aware of their difficulty, nor do they seek help or complain.

Health Appraisals
Health appraisals are conducted to assess normal growth and development. Significant changes in growth and development patterns will be discussed with the student and/or parent. Blood pressure screening is conducted to identify students at risk for hypertension. Health counseling regarding nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle will be provided. Appropriate referrals to private physicians will be made when necessary.

Scoliosis Screenings
Scoliosis is a condition of the spine in which the spine may curve to the left or right. It is most commonly found during the time of rapid growth and may progress if not treated. The purpose of the screening program is to recognize scoliosis in its earliest stages.

The examination consists of visual screening of the pupil's spine by the school nurse. Another student will be present and privacy will always be provided. This screening is mandated by the state of New Jersey, but a pupil may be exempt from this examination if requested by the parent/legal guardian in writing.

Tuberculosis Screening
The N.J.A.C. 6:29-4.2 requires that only the Mantoux intradermal test be used to test students for tuberculosis. Students who transfer into Absegami during the current school year from a country identified by the Health Department will be tested. Additionally, transfer students coming from New Jersey communities identified by the State Health Department as high risk areas, will be given the Mantoux. A Mantoux test will be considered acceptable only if it was administered within the previous six months. All transfer students to be tested will be notified by mail.

Medications
Students who need to self-administer emergency medication during school hours, such as Epipen or inhalers, must have their physician complete the Absegami High School, Medicine Form, available here. Please bring this form to the health office on the first day of school. All routine medications that are to be dispensed at school must have a physician's order and must be brought to the health office in the original container appropriately labeled by the pharmacy or physician with student's name, name of the drug, dosage and times of administration. All medication orders must be renewed at the beginning of each school year. Timely notification of changes must be made to the appropriate health office. Students may no carry medication of any type, except for registered Epipens and inhalers.

If you have any questions, please call the Health Office at
609- 404-2025