School Nurse

Beverly Pritchard, BSN, RN
School Nurse
Office: Room 105B
Clinic Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Lunch 1:00 - 1:30 p.m.
Office Phone: (423) 439-8674, (423) 439-4225
School Fax Number: (423) 439-5921
Email: pritchardb@etsu.edu
Office hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Lunch 1:00-1:30 p.m. If a student is needing attention during the time that I am not in my office, the student will need to go to the main office.
Medication Pick-Up
Nurse's Notes - MEDICATION PICK-UP: All medications in the Nurse Clinic need to be picked up prior to or on the last day of school, May 26, 2023 by a parent/guardian. The medications must be disposed of after this date. Parents may stop by anytime during the school day to collect any medications or supplies for their child.
Mandatory Immunizations
The Tennessee Department of Health requires all students starting Kindergarten, all upcoming 7th Graders, and new enrollees to submit mandatory immunizations before the first day of school. A physical health examination is required before entering a Tennessee school.
Kindergarteners & New Enrollees must be up to date on all the mandatory vaccines including 2 doses MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella), 2 doses Varicella, Hepatitis B series (3-4 doses), 2 doses Hepatitis A, DTaP series (4-5 doses) and Polio series (3-4 doses) with last dose after 4th birthday.
7th Graders must have a single dose of Tdap before entry in the new school year. This requirement is met if Tdap is given any time after the 7th birthday.
Those without up-to-date immunizations will be excluded from school until submission
of: 1) The official Tennessee Immunization Certificate with completed vaccinations,
or
2) A scheduled vaccination appointment document, or
3) A valid temporary immunization certificate, or
4) A valid exemption documented on the Tennessee Immunization Certificate.
Tennessee Department of Health Immunization Requirements
https://www.tn.gov/content/tn/health/cedep/immunization-program/ip/immunization- requirements/childcare-12th-grade-immunization-requirements.html
TN Immunization Requirements Summary Table
https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/health/documents/immunizationrequirements/tenniis/TN_Immuniza
tion_Summary_Table.pdf
TN Immunization Certificate Sample
https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/health/documents/immunizationrequirements/tenniis/TN_Immunization_Certificate_Sample.pdf
If you have further questions, please contact the University School Nurse at 423-439-8674 or pritchardb@etsu.edu
Medication Policy: The University School will be providing some over-the-counter medications starting academic year 2023-2024. Parents/Guardians must sign a written consent for these over-the-counter medications each school year. Parents/Guardians must provide and deliver any prescription or other medications in the orginal, unopened container and appropriate prescription labeling with written authorization from the physician/provider and the parent/guardian. University School has a zero tolerance policy for students carrying medications. For this reason, a parent/guardian must deliver all medication to the school. See the Medication Administration Guidelines and Forms in the left-hand menu for more information and printable forms.
Updated COVID Guidance - June 29th, 2022
Based on recent updates by the CDC and TN Department of Health (see documents below) received this week, we ask that our families please review the recommendations and to please feel free to contact the school if you have any questions. We are seeing a spike in cases both in our region and school, so we do ask that everyone please help us in taking the best safety precautions possible.
COVID Medical Release for Return to Athletic Participation Guidance Letter
COVID Medical Release Form to Return to Athletic Participation
TSSAA COVID Medical Release Guidance
What To Do If You Test Negative
Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children
Isolation Quarantine Release - Releasing Cases and Contacts from Isolation and Quarantine
COVID Close Contact Guidance - What to Expect if You Were Possibly Exposed to COVID-19
COVID Case Guidance - What to Expect After Being Diagnosed with COVID-19
TDH Return to School Algorithm
Positive Antigen Test
Up-to-Date Vaccination Definition
TDH Covid19 Information Center
COVID-19 Short Version: Only Pfizer has an approved booster. No booster available for Moderna and Johnson & Johnson. Booster Dose: Single booster dose AT LEAST 6 MONTHS AFTER RECEIVING DOSE 2 OR 3 OF A PRIMARY SERIES of which one or more doses was a Pfizer vaccine.
Should Receive · LTCF Residents ≥18 years · ≥65 years · 50-64 years w/underlying medical conditions† OR MD recommends booster dose. May Receive · 18-49 years w/underlying medical conditions† based on risks vs. benefits OR MD recommends booster dose · 18-64 years w/↑ risk for exposure due to occupational/institutional setting. Click link below to schedule appointments at WCHD: COVID-19 Vaccination Registration Thank you for your interest in receiving a COVID-19 vaccine at one of Tennessee's County Health Departments. Additional information regarding the vaccines can be found here.Tennesseans are encouraged to discuss with their doctor if the vaccine is right for them. vaccinate.tn.gov Please find the attached document containing available locations in each county in our region.
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December 5, 2021 Update
In an effort to be in compliance with the Tennessee state law, ETSU released updated information this past week regarding the university's mask requirement. Effective immediately, all mask requirements have been lifted on campus for all students, staff and visitors. While no longer required, we do want to encourage our school community members to continue to be mindful of the unique health situations of others and to maintain healthy safety protocols and precautions when visiting campus.
University School Safety Protocol Reminders (updated 12/05/2021)
Please adhere to the following:
- Physical distancing should be observed to the greatest extent possible.
- Hand sanitizing and regular handwashing should happen frequently.
- Individuals exhibiting COVID-like symptoms should remain home until cleared to return to school (following current return-to-school algorithm).
- Anyone who has a fever >100.4, new cough, difficulty breathing or loss of taste or smell, must have a COVID test before returning to school.
- Please refer to the TN Department of Health Return-to-School Algorithm when determining plans to return to school when out with symptoms or due to contact tracing.
- Families will only be contacted regarding a possible exposure if their child is considered a close contact who was within 3-6ft distance (depending on proper use of masks) for 15 minutes or longer over a 24 hour period. This includes lunch and physical activity time when students may be within close proximity and unmasked.
- If a student is vaccinated and showing no symptoms, they would not need to quarantine due to contact tracing unless they were to become symptomatic or have a positive COVID test result.
Note: If there are any updates or revisions made throughout the year, the most current plan will be shared with our families.
Nurse's Notes - MEDICATION PICK-UP: All medications in the Nurse Clinic need to be
picked up prior to or on the last day of school, May 26, 2023 by a parent/guardian.
The medications must be disposed of after this date. Parents may stop by anytime during
the school day to collect any medications or supplies for their child.

Optional Vaccine Information for Individuals 16 and Above
NORTHEAST REGION HEALTH DEPARTMENTS
ANNOUNCE COVID-19 VACCINATIONS
BY APPOINTMENT FOR RESIDENTS 16+
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – The Tennessee Department of Health Northeast Region county health departments are now booking appointments for individuals aged 16 and up who wish to receive COVID-19 vaccinations. The Northeast Region includes Carter, Greene, Hancock, Hawkins-Church Hill, Hawkins-Rogersville, Johnson, Unicoi and Washington Counties.
The Northeast Region county health departments offer COVID-19 vaccinations by appointment. To book your appointment, visit Vaccinate.tn.gov and click the blue “Proceed to COVID-19 questionnaire” button at the bottom of the page to start your registration. When scheduling appointments by the online portal, make sure to search all locations in the county for appointment availability. Most vaccines are given at sites that are not at the local health department. Please see attachment for vaccine sites. If you need help scheduling your vaccination, please call the Northeast Regional Registration Line at (423) 979-4689. The Registration Line is staffed Monday-Friday between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Pfizer vaccine has been authorized for ages 16 and older. Moderna vaccine is currently authorized for ages 18 and older. Please call the NE Registration Line at (423) 979-4689 to register 16 and 17 year olds for a Pfizer vaccine site.
The Northeast Regional Health Office reminds all residents that in addition to vaccinations, wearing a face mask, maintaining social distance and getting tested when exposed or sick are critical to controlling the pandemic.
The mission of the Tennessee Department of Health is to protect, promote and improve the health and prosperity of people in Tennessee. Learn more about TDH services and programs at www.tn.gov/health.
COVID & Exclusion Criteria Guidelines:
- Should your child be kept at Home?
- COVID Daily Home Screening for Students Checklist
- COVID Prevention
- COVID Stop the Spread of Germs
- COVID Symptoms