Health Services And Nursing Department
"School nursing today is a specialized practice of professional nursing that advances the well being, academic success, and life-long achievement of students. To that end, school nurses facilitate positive student responses to normal development; promote health and safety; intervene with actual and potential health problems; provide case management services; and actively collaborate with others to build student and family capacity for adaptation, self-management, self-advocacy and learning."
- Provide health assessments, first aid, and emergency care
- Conduct state mandated screenings, including vision, hearing, postural, height/weight, BMI, and scoliosis
- Develop and implement Individualized Health Care Plans and 504 plans for students with special health care needs
- Oversee medication administration for prescription and over the counter medications
- Monitor immunization compliance and communicable disease control
- Maintain confidential school health records
- Provide links to access community health services
- Provide health counseling and education
- Support a safe learning environment
Mandated health screenings:
- Vision (grades K-5, 7 and 10)
- Hearing (grades K-3, 7, and 10)
- Postural (grades 5-9)
- Height, Weight and BMI (grades 1,4,7,10)
- Screening Brief Intervention Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) (grades 7,9)
Environmental health and safety
- Access to health care services and insurance
- Management of confidential student health records
- Emergency preparedness and medical response
- Communication and collaboration with students, parents/guardians, school faculty/staff, and community providers of health care and support services
When to Keep Your Child Home
- Temperature ≥ 100.0
- Persistent cough or runny nose
- Vomiting within the last 24 hours
- ≥ 3 watery stools within the last 24 hours
- Body rash with itching or fever
- Live adult head lice
- Eye infection with drainage
When to Return to School After Illness
- Fever free (<99.9) for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication (Tylenol/acetaminophen or Motrin/ibuprofen
- If started on an antibiotic, 24 hours after antibiotic started
- Vomiting free for 24 hours and have been able to hold down 2 meals
- Diarrhea free (<3 watery stools/24 hours)
- Body rash has been evaluated by MD
- No live adult head lice, must be treated and nits removed
- Eyes free from drainage
A doctor’s note is needed upon return to school for the following:
- Surgery
- Concussion (see: athletic concussion policy, head injury reporting form, post head injury clearance form)
- Hospitalizations
- Rash of unknown origin
- Fracture/Sprain – crutches, casts, sling
A physician's note should state any limitations and accommodations necessary for class, gym, and recess attendance.