School Nurse

Beverly Pritchard, BSN, RN 

School Nurse

Office:  Room 105B

Office Hours:  Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Lunch 11:30 - 12:30

Office Phone:  (423) 439-8674, (423) 439-4225

School Fax Number:   (423) 439-5921

Email: pritchardb@etsu.edu

Office hours are from 8am to 1pm. 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.  

August 22, 2021 - Face Cover Policy

As shared last week, the Governor has ordered a parent opt-out option for K-12 students. If a parent is wanting this option, please know that it is only available for classes taking place in Alexander Hall. This opt-out is for students only, all staff and visitors to Alexander Hall and the ETSU campus must wear a face covering. This includes any of our students attending classes in other building outside of Alexander Hall. Any exceptions or exemptions to this policy must be approved through ETSU Administration or ETSU Disability Services depending on the nature of the request. If a family chooses to opt-out, a parent note must be provided to the school office.

Following posted August 3, 2021

Dear University School Families,

          The health and learning of our students is our number one priority. We continue to monitor the spread of COVID-19 in our region and follow the guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As you likely have heard, the number of reported cases of COVID-19 is rising rapidly across Tennessee and around the nation.  Given this situation and that a number of our students are not currently eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccination, we are updating University School’s policy regarding face coverings. Our hope is to be able to keep our students in an in-person learning environment as much as possible.

Effective Wednesday, August 4, 2021, face coverings are required indoors for all students, faculty, staff, and visitors to University School as well as all ETSU campus buildings.  This applies to all persons who have been vaccinated as well as those who have yet to do this.  Students, employees, and guests may remove their masks while eating, drinking, while outside when social distancing can be maintained, or during physical activity (e.g., running). We will continue to review our status at University School and on-going recommendations, and we will revise and update all of you as necessary. It is our sincere hope that these adjustments to our operating plans for the fall semester are temporary. 

Thank you for all you have done throughout the past 19 months to protect your health and the health of members of the ETSU and University School community.

Sincerely,

Dr. Brian Partin
Director, University School

University School Safety Protocol Reminders (updated 08/22/2021)

Please adhere to the following:

• ETSU and University School requires that all students, faculty, and visitors to campus to wear masks indoors.
• 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.

Mandatory Immunizations

All upcoming 7th Graders and all new enrollees to  University School must submit the mandatory immunizations prior to the first day of school, July 6, 2021.

7th Graders are required to have a Tdap, and new enrollees must be up to date on all the mandatory vaccines including 2 MMR, 2 Varicella, 3 Hepatitis B, 2 Hepatitis A, 4 to 5 Dtap, and 3 to 4 Polio.

Those without up-to-date immunizations will be excluded from school unexcused until vaccinations are submitted.

A link to the Tennessee Immunization Certificate is attached below for your viewing. This document is provided by your pediatrician or PCP. Please see the document below for the complete list of Tennessee Immunization Requirements. 

If you have further questions, please contact the University School Nurse at 423-439-8674 or pritchardb@etsu.edu.

Printable Copy of Certificate of Immunization (example)

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 28, 2021 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
• Public Health COVID-19 Return to School Decision Support Algorithm

Isolation Quarantine Release

**Just a reminder: University School follows Washington County’s medication policy, which states that parents/guardians must provide any medication that parents/guardians want their student(s) to be able to have while at school and must have a medication authorization form signed by a parent/guardian on file. This includes cough drops, triple antibiotic ointment, anti-itch cream, etc.