Nurse's corner
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No Religious Exemption
Please know religious exemption is not accepted in Catholic Schools under the Archdiocese of Newark. To be eligble for enrollment, children must be up-to-date on vaccinations or have a set schedule of vaccines signed by your child's pediatrician.
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Medical Exemption
In order for a medical exemption to be granted to required immunizations, a written statement must be submitted to the school from a physician licensed to practice medicine or osteopathy, or an advanced practice nurse (certified registered nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist). The statement must state the reason that the immunization is medically contraindicated, as well as a specific time period. These requests for exemption will then be reviewed and approved on a case by case basis.
Corpus Christi School reserves the right, if necessary, to exclude students that do not have proof of immunity during an outbreak of a vaccine-preventable disease or illness.
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Required Vaccines to Enroll in Preschool
- DTP/DTaP - minimum of 4 doses
- IPV - minimum of 3 doses
- HIB - at least one dose given after the 1st birthday
- Pneumonia - at least one dose given after the 1st birthday
- Hepatitis B - at least 3 doses
- MMR - 1 dose given after the 1st birthday
- Varicella - 1 dose given after the 1st birthday
- Influenza - 1 dose due each year up to age 59 months
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Required Vaccines to Enter Kindergarten
- DTP/DTaP - minimum of 5 doses
- IPV - minimum of 4 doses
- MMR - total of 2 doses given after the 1st birthday
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Required Vaccines to Enter Grade 6
- Tdap - given after the 10th birthday
- Meningococcal applies to students when they turn 11 years of age and is attending 6th grade
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Physical Examinations
A physical examination is due within 1 year prior to admission for all grades.
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We Are A Nut Conscious School
One of my primary goals as the nurse here at Corpus Christi is to maintain a healthy and safe environment for our children.
Some of our students have a severe food allergy. This allergy includes Peanut, Peanut Butter, Peanut Oil, Walnut, Hazelnut, Tree Nut, Coconut, and all products containing NUT. An allergic reaction can occur not only from the ingestion of the peanut or nut, but even from contact from nut or nut products.
This particular food allergy has the potential to become Life Threatening. Our teachers, the children’s parents, and myself have developed an Action Plan to meet the needs of these children and to prevent an emergency situation from occurring.
Please check labels to avoid sending any foods containing nut or nut products for snack or lunch.
There is a product called “Sun Butter” made from sunflower seeds, which is very similar in taste to peanut butter. Information on that product to follow.
Thank you in advance for your continued support and cooperation in this matter. -
Student Health & Illness Policy
Illness and Return to School Guidelines
The health and safety of our students and staff are a priority. The school follows guidance from the New Jersey Department of Health and established school health practices to reduce the spread of illness.
Parents/guardians are responsible for keeping students home when they are ill and for adhering to the following requirements.
When to Keep Your Child Home
A student must remain home if they have any of the following:- Fever (temperature ≥ 100.4°F / 38°C)
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Persistent cough or difficulty breathing
- Undiagnosed rash
- Any symptoms that prevent comfortable participation in school activities
- Any condition that limits safe participation in school activities
The school reserves the right to exclude a student at any time if illness is suspected.
Exclusion from School
A student will not be permitted to attend school if they exhibit:
- Fever (≥ 100.4°F / 38°C)
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Symptoms consistent with a contagious illness
- Any condition that limits safe participation in school activities
The school reserves the right to exclude a student at any time if illness is suspected.
Return to School Requirements
Students may return to school when they meet the following criteria:- Fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication (such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen)
- No vomiting for a minimum of 24 hours
- No diarrhea for a minimum of 24 hours
- Able to participate fully in school activities
The 24-hour period begins after the last episode of symptoms or when the student is dismissed from school.
If a student is out for 3 consecutive days due to illness, a medical clearance note is required in order to return to school.Physician Notes
While we value guidance from your child’s healthcare provider, please note:- A physician’s note does not override school health policies regarding return after illness
- The school reserves the right to enforce the 24-hour symptom-free rule to reduce the risk of spreading illness within the school community
School Nurse Authority
The school nurse, in collaboration with administration, has the authority to:- Assess student health status during the school day
- Determine if a student should be sent home due to illness
- Determine when it is appropriate for a student to return to school based on symptoms and school policy
These decisions are made to protect the overall health and well-being of the entire school community, not just the individual student.Additional Considerations
- If a child is sent home from school with a fever or vomiting, the 24-hour exclusion period begins at the time they are sent home
- In cases where symptoms are clearly due to a non-contagious condition (e.g., known medical condition such as migraines), the school nurse may make individualized determinations
- The school may require additional clearance in cases of certain communicable diseases
- Policies are subject to change based on updated public health guidance
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Printable Forms
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Nurse Diana CecchiniDiana Cecchini BSN, RN, RNC-NIC
Corpus Christi School Nurse
Certified Level 3 Neonatal ICU RN
American Red Cross First Aid/CPR/AED Instructor -
Meet our NurseDiana has been a Registered Nurse since June 2006, earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from
Seton Hall University.Diana began her career as an RN on the orthopedic unit at Hackensack University Medical Center. Along with working as our nurse here at Corpus Christi School, Diana also continues to work in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Hackensack UMC. Since 2007,
she has worked as a NICU nurse and is also certified in this specialty.One of the things that Diana loves most about her chosen profession is the many avenues that it offers, allowing the opportunity to work as a nurse in two different
pediatric settings concurrently.
Above all, Diana is incredibly grateful for the chance to work as a school nurse alongside such a dedicated and exceptional
team of people. -
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Our Commitment
As a Catholic school, we are committed to caring for the whole child—body, mind, and spirit. Maintaining a healthy school environment is an important part of that mission.
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Partnership with Families
We appreciate your cooperation in keeping our school community healthy. Following these guidelines helps prevent the spread of illness and protects vulnerable students and staff.
If you have any questions, please contact the school nurse.
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