Hello! My name is Kathleen Lessner and this is my first year as the School Nurse at Covington-Harper. I graduated from Michigan State University (Go Spartans!!) with a Bachelor of Science in Physics. I went on to serve in the U.S Air Force as a pilot for nearly 10 years. In that time, I completed a Master of Science in Forensic Toxicology from the University of Florida. After separating from the Air Force, I attended UT Health, San Antonio and earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. I have spent most of my career working in an inpatient psychiatric hospital. I worked with patients as young as 5 years old through the lifespan, although I spent the bulk of my nursing career with highly acute adults.

I am looking forward to working with you and your children throughout the school year. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to me either by email at [email protected] or by telephone at 571-466-4521.

Please see the VDH Back To School page for information about enrolling your student.

For the most up-to-date information related to Student Health Services please visit the PWCS Student Health Services website.

Reasons Your Child Should Stay Home From School Or May Be Sent Home By The Nurse During The School Day:

1. Fever of 100.4º F and over - exclude until student has been fever-free without the use of fever reducing medications (like Tylenol or Motrin) for at least 24 hours.
2. Conjunctivitis (pink eye), strep infections, ringworm, and impetigo are all infections and must be treated with medication for a minimum of 24 hours before returning to school. Please do not allow affected students back before this time so that other students are not infected unnecessarily.
3. Rash of unknown origin with fever and/or behavioral changes, until a primary care provider has determined that the illness is not a communicable disease.
4. Head injury.
5. Severe coughing or difficulty breathing.
6. Colds - a child with thick or constant nasal discharge should remain home.
7. Diarrhea - sudden increase in frequency to more than three loose/watery stools per day. Exclude until student has been symptom free for at least 24 hours.
8. Vomiting - unless the vomiting is determined to be caused by a diagnosed non-communicable/non-infectious condition (such as dysmenorrhea, dysphagia, etc.).
9. Abdominal pain that continues for more that two hours or intermittent abdominal pain associated with fever or other signs or symptoms.
10. Stiff neck associated with fever and/or a recent injury.
11. Inadequate immunizations with known disease outbreak in school.
12. Refer to the Virginia Department of Health's "Communicable Disease Reference Chart for School Personnel" for other exclusions/information.

All students should have up-to-date parent/guardian contact information and three local emergency contacts on file with the school in the event that contact needs to be made due to a student health emergency.

Below, I've included some important documents that will help me to ensure your child has the healthiest school year possible. The School Entrance Health form is required for EVERY preschooler and EVERY kindergartener starting school. It is also required for all children entering Prince William County Public Schools for the first time. If you have not returned your child's School Entrance Health Form yet, please make sure to bring it with your child on the first day of school.

PWCS Student Health Services homepage

PWCS Vaccine Requirements

School Entrance Health Form

Please note, students MAY NOT carry their own medications. All medications MUST be provided by the parent/guardian and will remain in the clinic. Below are helpful links should your child require medication during the school day:

Medication Administration in School - Policy

Medication Administration Authorization – This form MUST accompany all medications

ASTHMA:
Management of Asthma in the School Setting - Policy and Documents
Asthma Action Plan

ALLERGIES:
Allergic Reaction Policy and Documents
Allergy Action Plan

DIABETES:
Diabetes Management in School - Policy and Documents
Virginia Diabetes Medical Management Plan

SEIZURES:
Management of Seizures in School - Policy
Seizure Action Plan