Health & Wellness
At Princeton Day School we believe that physical, psychological, emotional, and social aspects of one’s health and wellness are essential for growth and success.
We take responsibility for our own physical and emotional health by living an active, healthy lifestyle and by learning about both the factors that protect as well as those that create risk. Our ultimate goal is the commitment to healthy living by making informed choices that dictate actions and form the habits that allow us to thrive individually and as a community.
- Wellness Programs
- Curriculum
- Student Services
- Health Office
- Sick Students
- Additional Health Resources
Wellness Programs
We encourage our students to develop skills and lifelong habits of healthy living by providing developmentally appropriate and clinically pertinent data to influence decision-making. Because we believe in the importance of health and wellness education and practices, students across divisions participate in programming on topics including stress, sleep, self care, substance use and abuse, social media and internet safety, human sexuality, reproductive health and social and emotional learning practices. Students are further educated through guest speakers and visits, conversations within advisory groups and a variety of classroom activities.
Curriculum
Physical, psychological, emotional and social aspects of a student’s health and wellness are essential components for growth and success. We partner with faculty and staff to provide a variety of opportunities for education, awareness and practice. Outside speakers, assemblies and gatherings widen the scope of our offerings and further highlight the importance of wellness while developmentally-appropriate curriculum has been thoughtfully planned to revolve around a number of core topics: nutrition, relationships, safety, sleep, exercise, stress and study skills, sexuality, substance use and abuse and social media. Health and wellness is for every member of the community, and we work in cooperation with our Parents Association and school administrators to ensure that families also benefit by providing opportunities to hear from experts on topics such as executive functioning, anxiety and stress reduction.
The Princeton Day School Health and Wellness program has been made possible through the E.E. Ford Wellness Grant.
Student Services
Child psychologists, school counselors, medical personnel and various support staff all work in partnership to identify needs, coordinate resources and supervise the academic, social and emotional care of our students. With faculty, advisors, coaches and mentors also in regular communication with the Student Services Team, a strong, holistic support system is in place to ensure an environment where all of our students can thrive.
Health Office
Staffed by trained registered nurses, our health office is centrally located in the administrative wing of the main building and fully equipped to provide emergency medical care, dispense medication, answer medically-related questions and attend to a wide range of medical issues among the school community. Additionally, a certified athletic trainer is available beginning each afternoon when practices or home games are scheduled.
Office Hours:
8 a.m - 3:20 p.m. Monday to Friday
Tel: 609-924-6700 x1190
Fax: 609-279-2705
Email: healthoffice@pds.org
There are a number of required health forms and general Health Office information for students that vary by age, grade and division. In addition, The State of New Jersey requires certain immunizations be up to date before a student may attend school. These requirements apply to both domestic and international students. These records must be submitted through the Magnus System in English or with full translation provided by August 1. Per NJ state law, students are not permitted to attend school without providing documentation of required vaccinations.
Please note that while some forms may be linked below, ALL forms will be available on the Magnus Health Portal for review, download and/or completion which opens to new, incoming families in mid-July. If you have any questions, please reach out!
Lower School
By August 1, all students entering grades Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 4 must:
- Read and complete all required forms available in the Magnus Health Portal.
- Participate in a physical examination with a physician and submit a Universal Child Health Record Form. Examinations are valid for 365 days.
- Provide proof of immunizations as required by the State of New Jersey.
- Complete an Allergy Action Plan (IF APPLICABLE)
- Complete an Asthma Action Plan (IF APPLICABLE).
- Complete a Daily Medication Form (IF APPLICABLE). Any medication must be handed to the Health Office by a parent or guardian and be in the original, labeled container.
In addition, students entering Pre-K must provide proof of the influenza vaccination by December 15.
If your student is prescribed an EpiPen, two (2) must be supplied to the Health Office by the first day of classes. One will be kept in their class with their teacher and the other will remain in the Health Office. If your student is prescribed an inhaler, one (1) must be supplied to the Health Office by the first day of classes.
For any students with chronic conditions (e.g., epilepsy, diabetes, etc.), please submit a medical plan from your healthcare provider through the Magnus Health Portal. Please note that all forms and documents must be submitted to the Magnus Health Portal and will not be accepted via email.
Families requesting a medical exemption from a mandatory immunization should have their healthcare provider complete this form and submit it to the Magnus Health Portal. Students requesting a religious exemption should submit the request in writing to the Magnus Health Portal.
Middle School
By August 1, all students entering Grades 5-8, regardless of participation in sports, must:
- Read and complete all required forms available in the Magnus Health Portal.
- Submit the State of New Jersey’s Preparticipation Physical Evaluation Form. Ahead of the examination, please print, complete and sign the appropriate section and bring it to the appointment for physician review.
- Provide proof of immunizations as required by the State of New Jersey.
- Complete an Allergy Action Plan (IF APPLICABLE)
- Complete an Asthma Action Plan (IF APPLICABLE)
- Complete a Daily Medication Form (IF APPLICABLE). Any medication must be handed to the Health Office by a parent or guardian and be in the original, labeled container.
In addition, students entering Grade 6 must:
- Provide proof of Meningococcal Meningitis ACY-W-135 vaccination (11 years or older by the first day of school). Students who have not yet turned 11 years old by the first day of school must complete the immunization within two weeks of their eleventh birthday in order to attend school.
- Provide proof of Tdap Vaccination (given on or after the 10th birthday and no sooner than five years after any DTP, DTaP, or Td)
Students who are participating in Middle School athletics must:
- Ensure they have a valid Preparticipation Physical Evaluation Medical Eligibility Form on file in Magnus
- Complete the Health History Update Questionnaire each season, the Sports-Related Concussion and Head Injury Fact Sheet and Parent/Guardian Acknowledgement Form and any and all remaining required forms available in Magnus prior to the first day of each season.
For students who are prescribed an EpiPen
- Two (2) EpiPens must be supplied to the Health Office by the first day of classes
- If your student self-carries an EpiPen, they must remain on their person at all times.
For students who are prescribed an inhaler:
- One (1) must be supplied to the Health Office by the first day of classes.
- If your student self-carries an inhaler, one must remain on their person at all times.
For any students with chronic conditions (e.g., epilepsy, diabetes, etc.), please submit a medical plan from your healthcare provider through the Magnus Health Portal. Please note that all forms and documents must be submitted to the Magnus Health Portal and will not be accepted via email.
Families requesting a medical exemption from a mandatory immunization should have their healthcare provider complete this form and submit it to the Magnus Health Portal. Students requesting a religious exemption should submit the request in writing to the Magnus Health Portal.
Upper School
By August 1, all students entering Grades 9-12, regardless of participation in sports, must:
- Read and complete all required forms available in the Magnus Health Portal.
- Submit the State of New Jersey’s Preparticipation Physical Evaluation Form. Ahead of the examination, please print, complete and sign the appropriate section and bring it to the appointment for physician review.
- Provide proof of immunizations as required by the State of New Jersey.
- Complete an Allergy Action Plan (IF APPLICABLE)
- Complete an Asthma Action Plan (IF APPLICABLE)
- Complete a Daily Medication Form (IF APPLICABLE). Any medication must be handed to the Health Office by a parent or guardian and be in the original, labeled container.
In addition, students who are participating in Upper School athletics must:
- Ensure they have a valid Preparticipation Physical Evaluation Medical Eligibility Form on file in Magnus
- Complete the Health History Update Questionnaire each season, the Sports-Related Concussion and Head Injury Fact Sheet and Parent/Guardian Acknowledgement Form and any and all remaining required forms available in Magnus prior to the first day of each season.
If your student is prescribed an EpiPen or an inhaler, they are required to carry it on their persons at all times.
For any students with chronic conditions (e.g., epilepsy, diabetes, etc.), please submit a medical plan from your healthcare provider through the Magnus Health Portal. Please note that all forms and documents must be submitted to the Magnus Health Portal and will not be accepted via email.
Families requesting a medical exemption from a mandatory immunization should have their healthcare provider complete this form and submit it to the Magnus Health Portal. Students requesting a religious exemption should submit the request in writing to the Magnus Health Portal.
Sick Students
The best way to prevent the spread of communicable diseases amongst our students is to follow the 24-hour rule. Please see the guidelines below for when it’s best to keep your student home. If your student is out sick for an extended period of time (3 or more days) or out of school due to surgery or injury, please contact the Health Office at 609-924-6700 x 1190. Our office can help facilitate any accommodations that might be needed with the learning specialist in each division when a doctor's note is provided.
Fever: Any student with a temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher will be excluded from school and cannot return to school until fever-free for a 24-hour time period without the use of medication that reduces fever (ie. Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen). Body temperatures fluctuate throughout the day. Children will sometimes wake up fever-free because the body has been at rest all night therefore the body temperature is lower. The fever will sometimes return once the child resumes regular activity. Please be sure to check your student’s temperature several times throughout the day.
Vomiting: Any student with vomiting will be excluded from school for 24 hours after they last vomited and should remain home until they have the ability to tolerate a normal meal.
Strep Throat (streptococcal infections): Students must be on antibiotic therapy and fever-free for 24 hours before returning to school.
Pink eye (bacterial conjunctivitis): Students need to be on antibiotic therapy for 24 hours and have no purulent discharge from the eye prior to returning to school.
Cough: If a student’s cough significantly interferes with their ability to concentrate, they should remain home.
Diarrhea: Students who have three or more watery stools in a twenty-four-hour period should stay at home for 24 hours after the final watery stool.
Injury: If your student sustains an injury (e.g., broken bone, sprain, concussion, etc.), please provide the health office with a doctor's note explaining any accommodations or restrictions from PE or sports. Please note that they will need a clearance note to return to normal activities and PE/sports.
Additional Health Resources
We strongly recommend you take a moment to read through the required health notifications below, as they contain important information about the health and safety of your student(s).
Meningitis Vaccine
HPV Fact Sheet
Tick Information
Lymes Disease
Sports-Related Eye Injuries
Required Tuberculosis Testing: Students entering a school in the United States or New Jersey, for the first time, from any country NOT listed on the List of Countries Not Requiring TB Testing, must receive an IGRA or Mantoux tuberculin skin test, unless they meet an exemption criterion. Please read the NJ Tuberculosis Testing Mandate for additional information, including the list of countries NOT requiring TB testing.
Concussion Resources: The New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) mandates that all athletes and parents read and sign the Sports-Related Concussion and Head Injury Fact Sheet and Parent/Guardian Acknowledgement Form. Please upload the completed form to your Magnus Health Portal annually. Other resources include information from the CDC and Minds Matter program. If your student has sustained a concussion, your primary care provider must complete the Head Injury Clearance Form before your student can participate in any physical extracurricular or sports activity.
Child Abuse and Neglect Resources: With regard to possible instances of child abuse, our faculty and staff must follow the laws and regulations of New Jersey. The law in New Jersey requires any citizen of the state who has a reasonable belief that a child is being abused to report their concern to state authorities (New Jersey Division of Youth and Family Services) and law enforcement. If you suspect an occurrence of child abuse and/or neglect, please call New Jersey's Child Abuse/Neglect Hotline at 1-877-NJ ABUSE (652-2873) (TTY/TDD use 1-800-835-5510.