Medical
School Nurse Services
The nurse is responsible for administering first aid, maintaining high standards of personal hygiene among students, vision screening, blood pressure, scoliosis, audiometer testing, assisting in processing insurance claims, weighing and measuring students, informing teachers regarding specific health needs of pupils, reviewing dental health, maintaining accurate emergency information and immunization records.
Medical Information Collection
Parents are able to update child medical information via FACTS Parent Portal. Each summer we ask that parents revisit and update information so we can be sure student medical care information is as up-to-date as possible.
Many students will also require some additional annual forms that need to be printed, completed (in some cases by a family physician), and submitted to the school nurse. You will find all necessary forms on our Medical & Sports Information Web Form accessible via the FACTS Parent Portal.
HCA collects information in this manner for the following reasons:
To ensure that up-to-date, accurate records are readily accessible to appropriate HCA staff (nurse, security, administration, teachers, etc.)
To ease the collection of information
To allow easier update of previously entered information
Information for Parents
Please keep your child home for any of the following:
Information for Parents
An ill child cannot function properly in the classroom. The spread of disease through the class or school can be contained, if the sick child remains home during the acute stage of an illness. If any of the above is detected by the school nurse, your child will be sent home, for his well being and for those with whom he comes in contact.
Illness during the night or in the morning before school
Fever is present (100° or over) or has been, in the previous 24 hours
Complaints of nausea (upset stomach or vomiting) headache or abdominal distress, (stomach ache, cramps or diarrhea) prior to leaving for school
Development of a rash on the face or body
Has severe cold, cough, or sore throat
Has inflamed, red itchy eyes with a discharge
Head lice or nits
Has thick continuous (discolored) nasal drainage
School Regulations Regarding Exclusion of Pupils
FEVER (oral temp of 100 degrees or more) - child may return 24 hours after temperature has returned to normal without the aid of Tylenol, Advil, etc.
VOMITING OR DIARRHEA - child may return after 24 hours of the most recent episode of vomiting or diarrhea.
STREP THROAT - any child who has been cultured for possible strep throat should not attend school while awaiting the culture report. " If the results are negative, your child may return as long as no other symptoms are present. " If the results are positive, your child must be on medication and without fever for at least 24 hours before returning to school.
When a child is absent or sent home ill from school, that child is not permitted to participate in any school related activities for that day or evening.
When to Call the School Nurse
Your child is going to be absent and please state the reason for the absence.
Symptoms of communicable diseases are present (rash, swollen glands, etc.)
Your child is hospitalized.
You need to have your child dismissed early for a doctor's appointment
When to Obtain a Doctors Note
Your child is to take medication in school (prescription or over-the-counter.) Medication cannot be given without written consent from the parent and a written request from the doctor. All medication must be in original containers.
Your child has received an updated examination and/or vaccine.
Your child is absent from school three consecutive days or more for an illness or injury.
Your child has a communicable disease - child will not be readmitted without a release from the doctor.
Your child has an unidentified rash or nuisance disease such as impetigo, scabies, poison ivy or head lice.
Your child has a medical condition we should be aware of (diabetes, heart disease, asthma, etc.)
Your child is unable to participate in certain activities due to injury or illness.
When to Send a Note to School
Child is returning after an illness (stating reason for absence).
When the information on the child's emergency card changes, (telephone number, parents' place of employment).
Communicable Diseases
All students suspected of having a contagious or infectious disease are excluded from school by the school nurse until such disease is diagnosed and treated by a physician or is completely cleared. When a student returns after a contagious or infectious illness, it is recommended that a certificate from the family physician be presented to the school nurse.
Physical Examinations
Prior to entrance to school, all new students are required to have a physical examination by the family physician. In addition, all students entering PreK, Kindergarten, 4th, 7th, and 10th grade and those participating in sports grades 6 through 12 are also required to have a physical examination.
Accidents
First aid is administered in case of accident or sudden illness occurring in school. Parents are contacted if an accident of a serious nature occurs and arrangements made for the child to go to the family physician or hospital.
Administration Of Medicine During School Time
The administration of medication in the school should be avoided, whenever possible. Medication is not permitted in school unless prescribed by a physician and in accordance with this policy. Medication shall be administered in accordance with the following policy procedures:
The parent or guardian shall provide a written request for the administration of the prescribed medication at school, using the Authorization to Administer Medication form.
The student's (private) physician shall provide written orders for the school nurse to administer medications, using the Authorization to Administer Medication form.
The medication must be brought to the school in the original container, appropriately labeled by the pharmacy.
The school nurse will provide a secure, locked space for the safe storage of medication. Prescription drugs are to be kept locked at all times. Medication is to be administered in school by only: (a) parent or guardian; (b) school nurse; (c) self-administration, with approval, for conditions such as asthma or diabetes.
A parent/guardian who may prefer to administer medication to his/her child during the school day, may do so by reporting to the nurse's office and requesting to meet with the child for that purpose.
The school nurse must maintain documentation of the administration of medication to the students.
Students with Asthma & Epipens
If your child has asthma and requires administration of an inhaler or nebulizer during school hours, a completed Asthma Treatment Plan form must be signed by both the child’s Physician and parent/guardian.
If your child requires an Epipen, a completed Authorization to Administer Epipen form must be signed by both the child's physician and parent/guardian. If the student requires an Epipen for a food alergy, a Allergy Action Plan form must also be completed and signed.
For the safety of our students in Preschool through 5th grade attending field trips, each one is required to have a parent or parent-approved chaperone to supervise their child on a trip. Students on Middle and High School trips will have a trained staff member attending the trip.
Guidelines for the Use of Crutches in School
Students requiring crutches and/or orthopedic devices should report to the school nurse following an injury and/or upon returning to school following a surgical procedure.
The nurse will review with the student, crutch usage within the school building. Safety will be stressed including stairs, hallways, school entrances, floors, seasonal issues, etc.
Accommodations (elevator pass, early classroom dismissal, assistance with books and in the hallways between each class, premium classroom seating assignments) will be assessed to determine the need for each student requiring crutches. Additional accommodations (medications, icing, elevation orders, dress code alteration) may be implemented based on need and physician/parent permission.
A note from your health care provider is required for the following:
the use of crutches at school
physician’s diagnosis of reason student needs crutches
physician’s statement of how long the student will need to use crutches
physician’s statement that training in the use of crutches was done
physician’s order to be excused from PE, recess, sports, etc.
physician’s statement of length of time student will not be participating in PE, recess, sports, etc.