Health Office Overview

A Health Assistant or office staff member is on duty during the school day to provide first aid care for children who become ill or injured during the school day.  If a child would be better off at home, a parent will be called.  Please keep the office informed of changes in phone numbers for home, work or emergency numbers.  It is of utmost importance that we are able to reach you in times of medical necessity.  It is not possible to notify a parent every time their child visits the health office, however, we will call and ask that you pick up your child if we see:

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1) An elevated temperature

2) Vomiting or diarrhea

3) Other suspected communicable diseases (head lice, strep throat, suspicious rashes, etc,.)

4) Children that have returned too soon after an illness 

Illness Guidelines:  Please keep your child home for the following:

• Fever greater than 100: may return after temperature has been normal for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medicine

• Vomiting more than twice in the preceding 24 hours. May return after 24 hours has passed since last episode. 

• Diarrhea that causes 'accidents', is bloody, or results in greater than two bowel movements above what the child normally experiences in a 24-hour period. May return after 24 hours has passed since last episode. 

• Strep throat: may return after 12 hours of treatment and child is without fever.

• Skin sores that are draining fluid on an uncovered part of the body and are unable to be covered with a bandage. 

• Respiratory virus symptoms that are worsening or not improving and not better explained by another cause such as seasonal allergies. 

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Immunizations:  Minnesota Immunization Law requires that every child attending school have current immunizations or the necessary documentation for exemptions.  We cannot allow your child to attend school if we do not have a record of current immunizations or exemptions.

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Medical/Health Procedures:  Health Services can provide medical procedures that are determined to be medically necessary during the school day.  Physician orders and parent consent are required.  Procedure related supplies must be provided by the student/family.

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Medications: If a child needs medication (prescription or over-the-counter) during the school day, the school must have:

1. written parental consent (see appendix)

2. written physician’s orders

3. medication must be provided in the original container (if you ask, the pharmacist can provide a bottle for home and one for school)

4. medication must not be expired (please check the dates before bringing)

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Participation Restrictions:  If a child is unable to participate in recess or physical education due to a health concern, they will need a note from their parent.  If the restriction is for more than two days, a doctor’s note may be requested.

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Screenings:  Health Services provides hearing screening (grades K, 1, 2, 3, 5) and vision screening (grades 1, 3, 5).  If you do not want your child to participate in school screenings, please send a note to the health office by the end of September.  In most circumstances the health office does NOT share screening results with classroom teachers until results of a medical evaluation are provided, parent permission is received, and it is determined that it is important for the classroom teacher to have the information.

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