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Kaitie McManus, RN, BSN

School Nurse, K-12

To call: School Nurse office line 201-963-0222 ext 210

To text: School Nurse mobile phone 551-337-5423

Email: kmcmanus@hobokencs.net

A Note From Your School Nurse: Student Health Information & Medical Requirements

As the school nurse at Hoboken Charter School, I am committed to keeping our students safe, well, and happy!  The children come to my office for wellness screenings, illness evaluations and first aid. Please feel free to contact me Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m to 3:30 p.m with any concerns or questions you may have.

The school health office works to ensure a safe and healthy environment for all students. Please review the information below regarding illness guidelines, required medical forms, and state health requirements for school attendance.

Illness & When to Keep Your Child Home

If your child will be staying home due to illness, parents/guardians must email the school nurse and attendance office.

For K-8 students, please email: kmcmanus@hobokencs.net & bforteza@hobokencs.net; 

For 9-12 students, please email: kmcmanus@hobokencs.net & eroman@hobokencs.net 

Briefly state the reason for the absence and the student’s symptoms (i.e. sore throat, cough, runny nose, nausea/vomiting/diarrhea, fever, etc).

This helps us monitor/report illness trends within the school and ensure students return safely.

Contagious Illnesses

Students diagnosed with contagious conditions such as strep throat, influenza, COVID-19, pertussis, pink eye, lice, or other communicable diseases should remain home until they meet return-to-school guidelines.

In many cases, students may return after appropriate treatment has started and symptoms have improved.

The school follows the New Jersey Department of Health School Exclusion Guidelines for determining when students should remain home or return to school.

A full list of exclusion guidelines can be found here:
(NJ DOH exclusion list hyperlink)

Students should remain home from school if they have any of the following symptoms or conditions:

Fever

• Students must stay home if they have a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher.

• Students may return to school only after they have been fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications such as Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Motrin/Advil (ibuprofen).

Vomiting and Diarrhea

Students should not attend school if they are experiencing vomiting or diarrhea.

According to the New Jersey Department of Health School Exclusion Guidelines, students should remain home if they have:

• Vomited two or more times within a 24-hour period, or

• Two or more episodes of diarrhea (loose or watery stools) within a 24-hour period, unless the symptoms are known to be related to a non-contagious condition.

Students may return to school when:

• They have been free of vomiting and diarrhea for at least 24 hours, and

• They are able to tolerate normal food and fluids, and

• They are well enough to participate in normal school activities.

Students who are sent home from school due to vomiting or diarrhea should remain home the following day to ensure they meet the 24-hour symptom-free requirement.

If vomiting or diarrhea continues for more than 24–48 hours, parents should consider contacting their child’s healthcare provider for further evaluation.

Other Symptoms That Require Staying Home

Please keep your child home if they have:

• Persistent cough that interferes with normal activity

• Severe sore throat with fever

• Unexplained rash

• Eye redness with discharge (possible conjunctivitis)

• Severe headache accompanied by fever

• Significant fatigue or body aches

• Any illness that prevents your child from participating in normal school activities

If Your Child Becomes Ill at School:

• If a student develops a fever, vomiting, or other concerning symptoms during the school day, the school nurse may contact parents/guardians to arrange for early dismissal.

• Students sent home with fever, vomiting, or diarrhea must follow the 24-hour symptom-free rule before returning to school. This absence will be considered excused and will not count toward attendance limits.

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Measles Awareness & Prevention

The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) has issued updated measles prevention guidance for schools following confirmed cases in New Jersey and outbreaks in surrounding states.

Please visit: NJDOH - Measles for more information. 

What is measles?

Measles is a highly contagious airborne virus that can spread when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. The virus can remain in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves an area.

Signs and symptoms:

• High fever, often above 101°F

• Cough and runny nose

• Red, watery eyes

• A red rash that typically begins on the face and spreads downward

Vaccination & Prevention

The MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine is the most effective way to prevent measles. Two doses provide approximately 97% protection.

New Jersey schools require age-appropriate MMR vaccination unless a student has a valid medical or religious exemption.

Parents can check their child's vaccination records through their pediatrician's patient portal or by contacting their healthcare provider.

Important Information for Families

Students without documented immunity to measles, including those with valid vaccination exemptions, may be required to remain home for up to 21 days following a measles exposure, as directed by the local health department.

If your child develops symptoms concerning for measles, keep them home and contact your healthcare provider. Call ahead before visiting a medical office or urgent care facility to prevent exposing others.

Additional Resources

• NJDOH Measles Information

• CDC Measles Symptoms & Prevention

• NJDOH Measles Prevention in Schools

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Medical Form(s) Requirements/Submission 

Immunization Requirements

New Jersey state law (N.J.A.C. 8:57-4) requires all students to have up-to-date immunization records and a current physical exam on file in order to attend school. Students may not attend or remain in school without proof of immunization, a valid medical or religious exemption, or documentation that they are in the process of receiving required vaccines. (Please see below for info on religious exemptions.)

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Important Vaccine Requirements for Incoming 

6th Grade Students

Students entering 6th grade who are 11 years of age or older are required (unless medically or religiously exempt) to receive the following vaccinations before the first day of school (September 2, 2026):

• Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis)

• Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine

If your child is already 11 years old and has not yet received these vaccines, please contact your pediatrician as soon as possible to schedule a vaccination appointment.

Once received, please submit the updated immunization record to the school nurse.

If you are unsure whether your child has already received these vaccines, please check with your pediatrician.

Students without proper documentation or exemption paperwork will not be permitted to attend school, as required by New Jersey law. If your child still needs these vaccines or your appointment is scheduled after September 2, 2026, please contact the school nurse.

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Religious/MEDICAL Exemptions from immunization requirements

New Jersey allows religious exemptions from immunization requirements.

Parents requesting a religious exemption must submit a written and signed letter stating that immunizations conflict with their sincerely held religious beliefs.

The letter must:

• Be written and signed by the parent or guardian

• State that immunization conflicts with religious beliefs

• Be submitted to the school nurse

A template for religious exemption letters is available here: (Religious Exemption Letter Template)

Please note that philosophical or personal objections are not accepted under New Jersey law. Students with exemptions may still be excluded from school during outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases as directed by public health authorities.

Physical Exam Form Requirements

Click one of the following links to access the HCS Physical Exam Forms for the 2026-2027 school year: 

👉 HCS Physical exam (PE) form or NJ Universal Health Record

Hoboken Charter School requires that health physicals be submitted yearly for students prior to the beginning of the school year.  

NEW STUDENTS 

• Must have an up-to-date physical examination form, complete with the provider's signature and office stamp, to attend HCS and any public charter school in New Jersey.

RETURNING STUDENTS: 

• It is highly recommended that children receive an annual physical. If your child has had a recent physical (within the past year), please upload the updated form to the google forms submission link below. 

+  The physical exam must be within one year of the school's start date. So PE forms dated earlier than September of the previous year will NOT be accepted.

+  If the date of examination is not within the year, please contact your child's pediatrician to either schedule an annual physical exam and/or request an updated PE form. (If your child's PE form is out of date, but their annual physical exam is scheduled for sometime in the near future, please let me know!)

Where to Submit Medical Forms 

(PLEASE NOTE: WE HAVE A NEW PROCESS FOR SUBMITTING FORMS!! PLEASE READ THIS SECTION CAREFULLY)

All medical forms must be submitted electronically. We will no longer be accepting paper copies. Once completed/signed, please request electronic copies of all medical forms from your child’s healthcare provider. 

Most, if not ALL medical practices can provide records electronically, either through a patient portal, secure message, email, or another electronic records system. When scheduling or attending an appointment, please specifically ask the office for an electronic copy rather than a paper copy. Please make this request before leaving the appointment. 

Once your provider sends you the electronic copy of your child's medical forms, you can simply download or save the forms to your phone or computer and then upload them directly through the appropriate Google Form link below.

Students will not be considered compliant until forms are submitted directly through one of these approved methods.

NEW STUDENTS: Medical Form Requirements/Health Info 

** ALL new students must submit medical forms through the following Google Forms link:

New Student's Medical Form Submission 👉All required forms must be submitted through the Google Forms link. This form also collects important medical and health information and provides a secure location for confidential student medical records to be stored and accessed only by the school nurse.

 Students will not be permitted to begin attending school until all required medical documents have been uploaded, the Google Form has been completed/submitted, and the student’s immunization record has been reviewed and cleared by the school nurse.

The following medical documents and forms must be submitted prior to the student’s start date:

1. Immunization record

• Please refer to the NJ Immunization Requirements and double-check with your child's pediatrician to ensure they meet all immunization requirements. Once confirmed, please ask for a copy of your child's full and up-to-date immunization record. Immunization records must be provided before their start date.

• Students without documentation of all required vaccinations will not be permitted to start school until proper documentation or exemption paperwork is submitted (seriously...it's a state mandate, not just me being the immunization police - see vaccine compliance flow chart). 

• Questions? Email me at kmcmanus@hobokencs.net and I'll happily walk you through it.  

2. HCS Physical exam (PE) form OR NJ Universal Child Health Record (either form is valid)

• All NEW STUDENTS must have an up-to-date physical examination form, complete with the provider's signature and office stamp to attend HCS.

• The physical exam must be within one year of today's date. PE forms dated earlier than one year from today's date will not be accepted.

• If the date of examination is not within the year, please contact your child's pediatrician to either schedule an annual physical exam and/or request an updated PE form. (If your child's PE form is out of date, but their annual physical exam is scheduled for sometime in the near future, please let me know!)

3. Medical Conditions 

• If your child has any medical conditions that may require nursing care/intervention or medication administration during the school day, please reach out to Nurse Kaitie directly via phone or email (kmcmanus@hobokencs.net) so we can discuss your child’s medical needs and ensure all required forms, medications, and care plans are in place before the student's start date. 

Medical Conditions may include, but are not limited to:  

• food allergies requiring an Epi-Pen or other medication

• asthma 

• seizure disorders 

• diabetes

• any health concern that may require medication, monitoring, or medical intervention while at school. 

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For Returning/Existing HCS Students

Please submit your child's 

1. updated immunization record 

2. up-to-date physical exam form/UHR

3. medication administration form (if applicable) 

through the appropriate Google Forms link below: 

(PLEASE SEE THE NEXT SECTION FOR INFO ON SPORTS CLEARANCE FORMS SUBMISSION. PLEASE DO NOT SUBMIT SPORTS CLEARANCE FORMS TO ANY OF THE GOOGLE FORMS LINKED IN THIS SECTION)

Kindergarten '26-'27

1st Grade '26-'27

2nd Grade '26-'27

3rd Grade '26-'27

4th Grade '26-'27

5th Grade '26-'27

6th Grade '26-'27

7th Grade '26-'27

8th Grade '26-'27

Grades 9-12 Medical Form Submissions

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SPORTS CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS/FORM SUBMISSION: 

FOR GRADES K-5 ONLY: 

• Please complete the following link 👉Grades K-5: Parent/Guardian Sign-Off Forms 

For Grades 6-12 ONLY:

Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:40-41.7 The board of education of a public school district and the governing board or chief school administrator of a nonpublic school shall require that prior to the participation of any student enrolled in grades six to 12 on a school-sponsored interscholastic or intramural athletic team or squad, the student shall have a physical examination using the "Preparticipation Physical Evaluation" form developed jointly by the American Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Sports Medicine, American Medical Society for Sports Medicine, American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, and American Osteopathic Academy of Sports Medicine. 

The physical examination shall be conducted within 365 days prior to the first day of official practice in an athletic season and shall be conducted by a licensed physician, advanced practice nurse, or physician assistant. The documents contained within the google forms link below are to be distributed annually to every student-athlete and cheerleader in any grade level, prior to participation in an athletic activity, in each school district and nonpublic school that participates in an interscholastic sports, intramural sports, or cheerleading program. 

Follow the appropriate link below to access and submit the required Sports Clearance Forms: 

➡️Grades 6-8: Athletic Participation Health Form

➡️Grades 9-12: Athletic Participation Health Form

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Medication Administration During School

This section applies to students who need to take any medication during the school day, including:

• Over-the-counter medications (Tylenol, Motrin, Claritin, etc.)

• Prescription medications (ADHD medications, antibiotics, eye drops, anxiety medications, etc.)

Medication Requirements

All medications must:

• Be in the original pharmacy-labeled container

• Be unexpired

• Be accompanied by a completed Medication Administration Form 

• Be signed by both the prescribing provider and parent/guardian

• Be updated yearly

Self-Carry / Self-Administration

Self-carry and self-administration privileges apply only to emergency medications, such as:

• Albuterol inhalers (SABA) for asthma

• Epinephrine auto-injectors (EpiPen) for severe allergic reactions

• Emergency glucagon for diabetes

• Other emergency medications as determined by the prescribing provider and approved by the school nurse

For a student to carry and administer their own emergency medication at school:

• The prescribing provider must complete and sign the Self-Administer section of the Medication Administration Form

• The parent/guardian must also sign the authorization section

• The request must be reviewed and approved by the school nurse and school administration

Students may only carry medications specifically approved for emergency use. All other medications must be stored and administered through the health office.

Allergy, Asthma, and Seizure Action Plans

These forms are required for students who require emergency medications at school.

Allergy Action Plans

Students with life-threatening allergies must provide:

• An updated Allergy Action Plan  signed by the prescribing provider and parent/guardian

• Two unexpired EpiPens in the original pharmacy-labeled box

Two EpiPens are required in case symptoms return after the first dose.

Asthma Action Plans

Students with asthma must provide:

• A current Asthma Action Plan  signed and stamped by the prescribing provider

• An unexpired albuterol inhaler or nebulization medication

Seizure Action Plans

Students with a seizure disorder must provide:

• An updated Seizure Action Plans: 

• Two doses of emergency seizure medication

Emergency seizure medications are also controlled substances and must follow the medication handling policies described above.

ADHD Medications and Other Controlled Substances

Medications such as Adderall, Ritalin, Vyvanse, and similar stimulants are controlled substances and must be handled carefully.

These medications must:

• Be delivered to the school nurse in person by a parent or guardian

• Remain in the original pharmacy container

• Students may not transport these medications themselves

Students with Diabetes

Students with diabetes must provide:

• Medication orders and care plans

• All necessary medical supplies

• Emergency medications such as glucagon or insulin if required

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