SPECIAL HEALTH CARE NEEDS

Illness

When a student is ill in school, the school nurse will determine if the student needs to go home. Valley Regional's school nurse reserves the right to send home any student who displays signs of ill health or injury that, in the nurse’s judgment, may jeopardize the general welfare of the student and/or the class.

Communicable/Infectious Diseases

Students with any medical condition that may expose others to disease or contagious and infectious conditions within the school setting may be excluded from school and referred for medical diagnosis and treatment. Additional information concerning restrictions may be obtained from the public health nurse.

Hospitalizations/Injuries

Students unable to participate in PE class and/or sports because of injury (wearing a cast, splint, or using crutches) or illness, must bring a note to the nurse from the child’s physician indicating restrictions/accommodations and the duration of time expected.

Students who have been treated for an injury, have had surgery, or have been hospitalized even overnight must bring a physician's note to the nurse clearing the student to attend school indicating any special considerations. Before a student may return to school after an absence due to such a condition, parents may be required to submit medical evidence that their child has recovered sufficiently to prevent exposing others.

Special Health Conditions

Students who have a medically diagnosed chronic health condition, such as asthma, diabetes, life threatening food or insect allergies, seizures, cardiac abnormalities, chronic infectious disease, acquired disability, mental health conditions, or a significant acute illness or injury requiring treatment and a recovery period, such as mononucleosis, Lyme disease, or a fractured arm or leg, often require accommodations in a school setting to provide a safe environment where the student is able to achieve at a level equal to his/her ability.

For those students, access to education may require assessment and periodic reassessment of the student’s health status and level of functioning in order to determine what special services or program modifications he/she may need.

Close collaboration with families including the development of an individualized health plan (IHP) and/or emergency care plan (ECP) to address health and safety needs for school attendance.