Yearly Health Updates and
Emergency Medical Authorization

The school nurse sends health information forms to families in May to be completed for the following school year. This packet must be reviewed, signed and returned to the nurse. The Emergency Medical Authorization form  includes student-specific health information which is required yearly for use in the event of an emergency.

Health History and Immunization Requirements for New Students

New students are required to provide a health history and proof of immunizations – Form B.1 Physician Report (for Forms I-XII) is available on the CSG Medical Forms page. Immunizations  are due by the 15th day of the school year. (PYC has different requirements, see PYC section of Medical Forms)

Returning students are requested to provide updates if there are medical changes or new immunizations were received over the previous year. (PYC has different requirements, see PYC section)

All students are encouraged to get an Influenza vaccine in the fall of each school year. 
(Influenza Info) 

Medications at School:   All medications require permissions and proper paperwork must be on file.

Prescription Medications  Link to Form

If your daughter requires or may need to receive any prescribed medication at school, (like a daily lunch dose or something she may need quickly like asthma, severe allergy, migraine, or diabetes medication), forms will need to be completed, signed by the physician, and returned to the nurse. The nurse will administer all prescription medications unless inhalers or epi-pens which students are allowed to carry. (See exceptions below)

Over- the Counter Medications (OTC)

Available medications are listed on the student-specific health forms sent home in May for the following school year and parents must indicate which ones the nurse has permission to administer as needed. These generic medications are kept in the nurse office. The nurse will only administer medications that parents have indicated may be given and only if needed. 

Exceptions to nurse administration of medication: (Please complete the proper self-carry authorization forms available on the web site)

1.       All students may carry : Emergency asthma inhalers (Self Carry Form)

2.       All students may carry: Emergency Epi-pens (epinephrine)  (Self Carry Form)

3.       Any other emergency medication deemed necessary: contact nurse for forms

4.        Upper School Students ONLY- may carry a small supply of an OTC medication if forms (obtained from US office) are completed, signed (by parent and student) and returned to the nurse.

No student should be carrying or self-administering any medication at school unless authorization is in place.

For any OTC medication that is not listed as available in the nurse office, that you want your daughter to have for any reason at school, please send it in with her with a written, signed, note to bring to the nurse at the start of the school day. 

Health Screenings at School: (The nurse will notify parents of any screening results that indicate a physician referral is necessary.)

Vision
A vision screening will be done according to the procedure outlined in “Policies for Vision Conservation, Programs for Children- Ohio Department of Health”. Ocular muscle balance and stereopsis screening is also done in PYC and Form I.  All Forms screened are PYC, I, III, V, VII, IX, and all new students.  Teachers and parents may also request a student vision screening.

Hearing
A hearing screening will be done according to the procedure outlined in “Policies for Hearing Conservation Programs for Children- Ohio Department of Health”, using pure tone audiometer. Forms screened are PYC, I, III, V, IX, and new students. Teachers and parents may also request a student hearing screening.

Posture
A posture screening will be done to determine the need for medical evaluation of any possible spinal deformity- scoliosis, kyphosis, or lordosis. All students in Form V, VI, VII, and VIII will be checked according to the National Scoliosis Foundation’s screening procedure using hands on and visual inspection. 

Blood Pressure
Students in Form XI will have a blood pressure screening by the nurse as part of their health class.  Any students whose BP remains above the 95th percentile for age and height after 3 separate readings will be referred for evaluation. Other BP readings will be taken on an as-needed basis.

Illness and School Attendance

Common communicable illnesses and procedures: Please contact the school nurse if your daughter is diagnosed with a communicable illness, both vaccine-preventable (chicken pox, pertussis, influenza, etc.) and other illnesses such as head lice, pinkeye, fifth disease, strep throat or scarlet fever, mononucleosis, scabies, shingles, severe respiratory illness, gastro-intestinal viruses, MRSA, salmonella, coxsackie virus, and ringworm. 

If you have taken your daughter to the physician and are giving her antibiotics, treatments, or keeping her at home per medical advice, please notify the school nurse who will assist if needed to monitor or provide care to your daughter once she is back in school. 

Upper Respiratory Infection (URI):

This is a common reason for visiting the nurse. It is important to learn about this illness.

1. What is it? URI is any type of infection of the head and chest that is caused by a virus. If can affect our nose, throat, sinuses, and ears. It could also affect the tube that connects your middle ear and throat, and your windpipe, voice box and airways.
2. How is it spread? Over 200 viruses can cause URI's and are spread through personal contact, through the air and from transfer of germs through objects touched by someone with the virus.
3. Who is at increased risk?  Those who are emotionally stressed, tired, not eating enough healthy food, smoke, or are living in crowded conditions.
4. What are the symptoms? They include scratchy or sore throat, sneezing, runny nose and nasal congestion, cough, watery eyes, ear congestion, low fever (99-100 degrees F), fatigue, headache, and loss of appetite.
5. Usually lasts one to two weeks.
6. Treat with: lots of fluids, humidified air, Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or Ibuprofen (Motrin/Advil) for temporary pain relief.
7. When to see a health care provider? If any of the following symptoms occur: 
   • Fever of 102 degrees F or higher
   • Shaking chills
   • Difficulty breathing/wheezing
   • Chest pain
   • Skin rash
   • Worsening sore throat
   • Pustules on tonsil or throat
   • A cough that becomes painful
   • Severe headache
   • Mental confusion
   • Blue or gray lips, skin or nails
   • Worsening earache
8. How do I prevent transmission? Stay home in the first days when symptoms are worse and it is difficult to maintain focus and hygiene measures.  Also, do all of the things to prevent a cold such as proper and frequent hand washing, using tissues or coughing into your sleeve; not sharing food or utensils with others, and keeping your hands away from your nose and mouth. Remember, when using shared items and spaces to wash your hands frequently, especially in the dining room, computer areas, rest rooms, and when sharing telephones.

RASHES

This is another frequent reason for visiting the nurse at school. Some guidelines are helpful:

1. A rash may be the first sign of a contagious illness. 
2. A rash that is associated with other signs of illness such as fever, malaise, ill-appearing child, should be evaluated by a health care provider.
3. Rashes (if of the contagious type) are usually more contagious in the first days.
4. Rash that is associated with itching, also may be reason to keep your daughter home and notify the health care provider for evaluation.
5. Not all rashes are contagious, but please keep the school informed when sending your daughter to school with a newly appearing rash whenever possible.

Return to school after:

• Fever has been down below 100 degrees for 24 hours without the aid of fever-reducing medication.
• Cough is under control (not constant, making it difficult to focus on school work).
• Able to manage good hygiene measures (with sneezing, blowing nose, coughing, etc.).
• Health status will not be further compromised by being at school.
• Rashes are no longer contagious and causing discomfort.
• Strep throat and pinkeye (if caused by bacteria), both require 24 hrs of antibiotic treatment before returning to school.

CALL THE SCHOOL NURSE IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS

The nurse will follow the guidelines established by the Ohio Department of Health Communicable Disease unit for all communicable illness. Communicable Disease Chart