School Nurse

 

     Amber Petculescu RN, CPN, MAT

Amber is excited to be part of the Gavilan Peak firebird family as the school nurse! Amber grew up in the Deer Valley Unified School District, beginning at New River Elementary, continuing to Deer Valley Middle School, and graduating from Barry Goldwater High School ('94). After high school, Amber earned her BA in Music Theatre from Missouri Valley College and her Master's degree in Elementary Education from Rhode Island College. In 2004, Amber moved back to Arizona to teach 5/6 grade science at Paramount Academy in Peoria, before earning her registered nursing (RN) credentials in 2012.

      Since 2012 Amber has worked as a Registered Nurse (RN) at Phoenix Children's Hospital specializing in GI/GU/medsurg and pediatric diabetes. Amber is a Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN), she teaches CPR & First Aid through LP Health Directions, she is a 'Stop the Bleed' instructor, and she has wilderness first aid training through Survival Med. Through pediatric nursing, and now as a part of the Gavilan Peak School staff, she has been able to combine her love for science, education, and helping others. Amber has lived in the New River/Anthem community since 2016 and her son has been attending GP since preschool, so Amber has a special place in her heart for Gavilan Peak and its surrounding communities!

If you need to communicate with Amber, please feel free to call or email any time... (623) 445-7410  or  amber.petculescu@dvusd.org  

 

       Medical care provided by the school nurse is primarily for illnesses and injuries that occur at school throughout the school day; however, the nurse is qualified to collaborate with you and your child's physician to help provide a learning environment that fits your child's health and safety needs. The nurse does not diagnose medical conditions or illnesses, nor does the nurse prescribe medications; however, medications and/or treatments available over the counter or prescribed by a physician may be given by the school nurse in the Gavilan Peak health center after the mandatory paperwork is completed. The health center does not maintain a stock of medications to give to students and students are not allowed to bring medications to school. Please see the "medications" section below to learn more about how medications can be given at school. 

Keep your child home if they have…

Any infection requiring antibiotics (Children must have been taking antibiotics for A FULL 24 hours before returning to school)

Fever 100.0 or higher in the last 24 hours (Children must be fever-free without the use of fever reducing medications for 24 hours before returning to school)

Vomited in the last 24 hours (Children must be vomit-free without the use of anti-nausea medications for 24 hours before returning to school)*

Diarrhea in the last 24 hours (Children must be diarrhea-free without the use of anti-diarrheal medications for 24 hours before returning to school)**

Red, watery eyes, with yellow or green discharge

Frequent sneezing, runny nose, coughing, or post nasal discharge

Unexplained rash

Facial swelling

Signs of strep throat

Painful earache

When in doubt of whether or not to send your child to school, consult your family physician or feel free to call the School Nurse.

*DVUSD Nurses define vomiting as the emptying of stomach contents not due to obvious causes (i.e. due to coughing, exposure to smells/sights that repulse, or wet burps)

**DVUSD Nurses define diarrhea as 3 or more watery or loose stools in a 12 hour period. 

Prescription Medications

In order for the school nurse to administer prescription medications to students, two forms must be completed and on file for each medication: 

medication consent form which includes an order for the medication/dosage/frequency filled out and signed by a physician or NP

medication administration record must be filled out by the parent with the school nurse at the time the medication is checked in

ALL prescription medications must be brought to the health center by a parent/guardian in a pharmacy labeled prescription container and labeled for the student with a current date. 

Over the Counter Medications

In order for the school nurse to administer over-the-counter medications to students, one form must be completed and on file for each medication:

a medication administration record must be filled out by the parent with the school nurse at the time the medication is checked in

Cough drops, Tylenol, Ibuprofen, Neosporin, topical or oral Benadryl, antacids, medicated ointments/creams, or any like remedies are considered medications and are not allowed to be brought to school by students. The heath center does not keep a stock of medications to give to students in the case of illness or injury. Over-the-counter medications must be brought to the health center by a parent/guardian in the original manufacturer's labeled container and with a current date. Requests for administration must be in agreement with the manufacturer’s directions or have a superseding physician’s order. 

Rescue Medications

Students who require an inhaler and/or epi-pen for treatment of severe asthma or anaphylaxis may qualify to self-carry these rescue medications, but only with pre-approval from the school nurse and the principal. Self-carry medication forms are available from the nurse, for grades 6 through 8, and only certain medications will be considered. It is recommended that ALL medications be kept in the health center, so they are always accessible during an emergency. 

It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to pick up any unused or discontinued medications. At the end of the school year, any medication remaining in the health center will be discarded and/or destroyed.

Most health center forms are available to print from home here on the website under "forms" or you may pick up a copy from the Gavilan Peak health center. 

 

 

Written proof of compliance with immunization requirements is a part of the registration process for Arizona public schools. State and Federal Law mandates that all children attending school must be in compliance with Arizona's current immunization laws and regulations. If you are unsure of the requirements for immunizations, see your doctor, contact the Gavilan Peak health center, or call the Maricopa County Health Dept. at 602-506-6767 OR 602-263-8856 for locations of clinics and hours of operation. 

The Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C) Title 9, Chapter 6, Article 7 requires that students have their Tdap and Meningitis vaccine before they turn 12 years old. ADHS recommends all students be referred for vaccination upon turning age 11 and complete those shots by age 12 in order to avoid being excluded from attending school. Please contact your student's health care provider to arrange for these vaccines once they turn 11 years old.  

Religious Exemption forms from the Arizona Department of Health Services (AZDHS) are valid for Preschool only.

Medical Exemption forms from the Arizona Department of Health Services (AZDHS) must be signed by a qualified medical provider.

Personal Exemption forms from the Arizona Department of Health Services (AZDHS) are available for grades K-12

Arizona Immunization Requirements:

K-12: https://azdhs.gov/documents/preparedness/epidemiology-disease-control/immunization/school-childcare/school-immunization-requirements.pdf

Preschool: https://azdhs.gov/documents/preparedness/epidemiology-disease-control/immunization/school-childcare/immunizations-preschool.pdf

Immunization Clinic Closest to Gavilan Peak:

West Clinic

1850 N. 95th Ave, Suite 184

Phoenix, AZ  85037

Contact: 602-506-5888

Hours: Monday – Friday 8am-4:30pm (Closed for lunch 12pm-1pm)

Closed Saturday/Sunday, holidays and special dates

    Standard hearing and vision screenings are completed annually for: Pre-School, Kindergarten, 1st Grade, 3rd Grade, 5th Grade, 7th Grade, any student with an IEP/504, and students who are new to Deer Valley Unified School District. Screenings typically begin during the third-fourth week of school and continue through to fall break. New students will be screened within 45 days of their enrollment. If you have concerns about your child's hearing/vision, please feel free to contact the school nurse to request a screening. Once screening is complete, the nurse will send home a notice for students with results that are outside of normal limits. Hearing screens that are outside of normal limits will also be referred to our district audiologist to schedule further testing. Vision screenings that are outside of normal limits should be referred to your student's healthcare provider for further evaluation. If you do not wish your student to be screened for hearing or vision, please contact the school nurse at (623) 445-7410 or by email at amber.petculescu@dvusd.org

Many children at Gavilan Peak have been identified as having food allergies and it is important for us to keep them safe. All Gavilan Peak classrooms are considered "nut free", meaning that students are not allowed to eat snacks or food that contains nuts or nut products. All classroom treats brought to school for birthdays or celebrations must be store-bought, with clear and intact ingredient and nutrition labels. Allergen free items are most appreciated and the safest for all of our students to enjoy. Classroom party packs or birthday bundles are available to purchase through the Gavilan Peak cafeteria via the school website. Here is a resource for snacks free of peanuts, tree nuts, and eggs visit: http://snacksafely.com/snacklist.pdf

Nut products ARE allowed to be consumed in the school cafeteria at lunchtime only, as there is a designated "nut free" zone available for those with allergies. If you are interested in learning more about food allergies visit foodallergy.org.

If your student has food allergies, please inform the school nurse and their classroom teacher as soon as possible. 

Emergency Contact Form (aka "The Pink Sheet"):

All emergency contact forms (formally called "the pink sheets") are now managed online through Power Schools in the student enrollment forms. It is important that this information be updated every school year in order for the school to contact a parent/guardian in the case of an emergency, illness, or injury. Please provide names and phone numbers of emergency contacts, in order of contact preference. Any changes to names, numbers, or emergency contacts will need to be made in person with the registrar. Students will only be released from campus to adults listed on the emergency contact form and with a valid ID. 

It is imperative to include your child’s current medical conditions and any medications they are taking on their health history form. If your students health information changes throughout the school year, please contact the health center so the school nurse can update your students file. 

Physical Education Excuses:

Students requesting to be excused from PE must bring a note, signed by their parent, to the school nurse or PE teacher. Any request for three or more consecutive PE excuses must be accompanied by a medical provider's order for activity restriction.  A note from a medical provider is required in order for a student to be released from activity restriction and before they will be allowed to participate in PE or campus sports. The school nurse will communicate with PE teachers, and classroom teachers, regarding the length of activity restriction and any accommodations that need to be made for your child.  If your child has a health condition that causes him/her to miss PE class frequently, a doctor's note may be required.
 

Coronavirus (COVID-19) is currently being treated similarly to influenza, rhino virus, or other common viral illnesses. No special precautions or notifications are being practiced at this time. DVUSD maintains that if your student is ill, they should remain at home, so as to avoid spreading illness to others. 

Symptoms of COVID-19 (may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus):

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

Seek emergency medical care immediately if you have:

• Trouble breathing
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
• Confusion or change in mental status
• Inability to wake or stay awake
• Bluish lips or face

Keep yourself safe:

• Wash your hands often using soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. If unavailable, use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
• Avoid close contact with other people especially if they are ill
• Wear a mask to cover your mouth and nose when around others in a public setting
• Cover your coughs and sneezes
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily

For more information on the coronavirus, visit Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

Bicycle Safety:   https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/bicycle-safety

Bites, Stings, Poison, and Drug Information:    https://www.bannerhealth.com/services/poison-drug-information      Hotline: 1-800-222-1222

Concussions:   Signs and symptoms, when to seek medical evaluation, and how to get better: Mayo Clinic -Concussions

Helpful Links for Concerned Parents:   https://www.cdc.gov/children-mental-health/about/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/childrensmentalhealth/index.html     Nida.nih.gov

Nutrition:   https://www.cdc.gov/school-nutrition/facts/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/nutrition/facts.htm

Free and Reduced School Lunch Program:   https://secure.ezmealapp.com/ApplicationScreen.aspx

Lunch Menu:   https://www.myschoolmenus.com/organizations/815

 

Anthem Cares!

               Gavilan Peak School partners with various organizations around the community to ensure our students get what they need to be healthy, happy, and ready to learn. If your family is in need of assistance, please submit the "Community Aid" request found in the "Forms" section, and return the form to the school nurse, guidance counselor, or school psychologist. All Community Aid requests will remain anonymous and families may re-apply every school year. 

 

     Exclusions and exemptions (E&E) are medical accommodations provided for absences due to chronic and currently active conditions. The E&E only excuses absences that are a direct result of these chronic conditions and DO NOT excuse the student from classwork or from other unrelated absences. A doctor must sign the E&E detailing the condition and the anticipated days missed as a result of the condition. If your student has an E&E, and you are signing them out because of symptoms related to their chronic illness, you must notify the registrar at sign out and the student MUST see the nurse before they leave campus. Documentation of illness and/or appointments related to the chronic condition may be required for excessive absences. E&E forms are not retroactive and DO NOT cover absences accrued prior to the completion and authorization of the E&E by the doctor, the school nurse, and the school administration.

E&Es are not valid for medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, allergies, or short-term procedures as it is generally expected that these conditions can be managed without excessive school absences. If your student is missing school due to these conditions, your students plan of care should be reviewed with your medical care provider.

E&Es must be renewed EVERY SCHOOL YEAR.

If you have questions about the E&E process, or would like to know if your child would qualify for an exclusion and exemption, please contact the school nurse at (623) 445-7410. 

"Back to school" doesn't have to include back problems!

Kids fill their backpacks with heavy books, computers, notebooks, etc. and haul them from class to class. It is important your student has an appropriate sized backpack to ensure that they are wearing it properly. Wearing heavy backpacks improperly can result in back/neck/shoulder problems, headaches, changes in the way your student walks, increases the chance of developing scoliosis, and can lead to potentially serious and/or chronic injuries. Here are some quick tips to correctly position and carry the load of a backpack.  

Students should always wear both shoulder straps (vs slinging the bag over just one shoulder).

Adjust the shoulder straps so that the backpack is higher up on the back, not sagging down low on the waist or resting on the bottom.

The backpack should not sway from side to side during walking. If it does, the straps are too loose.

If the backpack has a strap across the upper chest or waist area – use it. These extra straps help keep the shoulder straps in place, reduce sway, distribute the weight load to the hips, and relieve shoulder pressure.

The heaviest items your student carries should be placed closest to the child’s back and packed so as not to slide around.

A child’s backpack should never weigh more than 10% of their body weight. If backpacks are too heavy and/or are worn for prolonged periods, compression can develop on nerves or arteries that pass from the lower neck to the armpit, causing pain, weakness, tingling, and other problems.