Students > Student Handbook > School Procedures > Health Services

Students feeling ill or requiring medication must first acquire a pass from their classroom teacher to visit the nurse. All students must sign in on the nurse's log upon entering and leaving the health center.

Medical Examinations: Students must have physical examinations in the Eleventh Grade, either by their family physician at their own expense or by the school physician. Special forms for private physicians' exams are available in the Nurse's Suite. If the forms are not returned completed to the school medical personnel before the scheduled deadline for such examinations, the school physician will give students their physical exams in school.

All students in all grades have their vision tested annually.

Any student may be referred to the school physician or dentist by a teacher, school nurse, or administrator for examination when, in their opinion, the student's physical or dental health is failing.

First Aid: Procedures used for students who become ill or injured at school are as follows:

• Immediate first aid
• Notification of parents or guardians
• Transportation in an emergency
• Direction of parents to further help, if indicated

Only immediate care can be provided. Parents and guardians are expected to assume responsibility when they are notified.

Emergency Cards: Parent-approved cards are kept for each student to expedite location of parents and to obtain urgently needed treatment for serious injuries and illness that may occur at school. The information requested on these cards is kept confidential, as are all health records.

Adminstration of Medication: All medications, prescription or non-prescription, that are to be dispensed during school hours must be accompanied by a written authorization signed by the doctor and/or parent/guardian and brought to the nurse's office or other designated place where the medication will be secured by a responsible person. Controlled medication must be accompanied by a written doctor's order and parent permission specifically stating medication may be administered at school. Medications must be in the original container if OTC, or in a properly labeled prescription container (with name of drug, dosage, route of administration, and time interval of dose). Prescriptions must include the student's name, and name of the prescribing licensed health care provider. The role of the nurse is to ascertain whether authorization is complete and to administer the medication whenever feasible. The nurse shall also have access to current reliable information regarding safe use of the medications, including side effects and toxicity, drug interactions, and expected outcomes.

Asthma Inhalers
Before a student may possess or use an asthma inhaler during school hours, the parent/guardian must submit the following:

1. A written request from the parent/guardian that the school complies with the order of the physician, certified registered nurse practitioner, or physician assistant.
2. A statement from the parent/guardian acknowledging that the school is not responsible for ensuring the medication is taken and relieving the district and its employees of responsibility for the benefits or consequences of the prescribed medication.
3. A written statement from the physician, certified registered nurse practitioner or physician assistant that states:
   • Name of the drug.
   • Prescribed dosage.
   • Times medication is to be taken.
   • Length of time medication is prescribed.
   • Diagnosis or reason medication is needed, unless confidential.
   • Potential serious reaction or side effects of medication.
   • Emergency response.
   • If child is qualified and able to self-administer the medication.

The student shall be made aware that the asthma inhaler is intended for his/her use only and may not be shared with other students. The student shall notify the school nurse with each use of an asthma inhaler.

Violations of this policy by a student shall result in immediate confiscation of the asthma inhaler and medication and loss of privileges. The district reserves the right to require a statement from the physician, certified registered nurse practitioner or physician assistant for the continued use of a medication beyond the specified time period. Permission for possession and use of an asthma inhaler by a student shall be effective for the school year for which it is granted and shall be renewed each subsequent school year. A student whose parent/guardian completes the written requirements for the student to possess an asthma inhaler and self-administer the prescribed medication in the school setting shall demonstrate to the school nurse the capability for self administration and responsible behavior in use of the medication.

To self-administer medication, the student must be able to:

1. Respond to and visually recognize his/her name.
2. Identify his/her medication.
3. Demonstrate the proper technique for self-administering medication.
4. Sign his/her medication sheet to acknowledge having taken the medication. Demonstrate a cooperative attitude in all aspects of self-administration.