General Information Regarding the Nurse's Office

Emergency Information

Each year, parents shall complete and sign a Consent for Medical Treatment form for their children. It is very important to be able to contact you in case of an emergency. Please notify the nurse immediately when information on the student’s consent form has changed. Changes may include address, telephone numbers, place of employment, food allergies and the student’s health status.

Immunizations

A notice will be sent home with your child if he/she needs an immunization. The notice will state when the updated immunization record is due in the nurse’s office. As required by state law, your child must have a current immunization record on file in the nurse’s office in order to remain in school.

Communicable Diseases

Please notify the nurse immediately if your child has contracted a communicable disease (chicken pox, mumps, measles, etc.) or if you are unsure whether your child has a communicable disease. Students need to report to the nurse’s office upon their return to school after they have been absent due to a communicable disease.

Medications

Students are not allowed to carry medications or to self-administer their medications on the campus except under certain circumstances (Asthma inhalers, EpiPens); consult with the school nurse for more information. If your child is required to take prescribed medication during school hours, you and the medical practitioner must sign a completed permission form that is available at the school nurse’s office. Consult with the school nurse about the “Practitioner’s Written Order/Parent Consent” form that requires a practitioner’s signature if there is not a signed written practitioner’s order for the medication. Only medication, in its original container and properly labeled and prescribed by a practitioner licensed to practice in the state of Texas, will be administered. Medications prescribed and/or purchased from foreign countries cannot be administered. The school nurse shall return unused medication only to the parent/legal guardian.

Health Screenings

State-mandated screenings are conducted on students in Pre-Kinder, Kindergarten, 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th grades for vision and hearing difficulties during the school year, and students in 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th grades for Type 2 Diabetes Risk Assessment (TRAD). “TRAD” screening may help to identify students who run the risk of developing diabetes in the future. If any concerns are identified after a second screening, the parent will be contacted with an appropriate referral. Dental screenings may possibly be conducted on elementary students in selected grade levels, and a referral notice will be sent home as needed. In January and February, students in 5th and 8th grades will be screened for spinal growth abnormalities. After a second screening, the parent will receive a referral notice if a concern is found.

P.E. Excuses

A note stating the reason the student needs a P.E. excuse has to be sent to the nurse’s office before the student goes to P.E. A medical practitioner’s note is required if the student needs to be excused from P.E. for more than three days.

Pass to Nurse's Office

Students must first report to class and obtain a pass to the nurse’s office from the teacher so they will not be counted tardy or absent. Students will not be allowed in the nurse’s office without a pass between classes unless it is an emergency. You will be contacted if your child needs to be taken home; you must sign your child out at the school’s designated office (e.g. attendance or nurse’s office).

Health Insurance

Contact the nurse as soon as possible for more information if you do not have health insurance for your child. Health insurance (CHIP) coverage for children in Texas is available. For additional CHIP information: Telephone number 800-647-6558 and Website www.chipmedicaid.org.

If you have concerns about health issues regarding your child, please do not hesitate to contact the school nurse and they will immediately address your concerns.