Health Services promotes the health of all students, affording them an opportunity to better participate in learning and receive the maximum benefit from their instructional program. Barriers to learning that can accompany a variety of chronic and acute health conditions must be identified and minimized for students to participate and learn to their maximum potential.
The Health Services program is designed to focus on the health status of students; to educate and counsel students, teachers, and parents related to health issues; to help prevent and control communicable disease; to provide emergency care for injury and/or sudden illness; to promote optimum conditions in school buildings; to promote health education as an integral part of the curriculum.
Services we provide:
- Health Assessments, referral, and follow-up
- Routine and emergency first aid treatment
- Infection control
- Environmental health and safety
- Case management of care for students with special healthcare needs
- Health education and consultation to students, staff, and parents
- Health and wellness counseling
- Medication administration
- Emergency Care planning for intentionally life-threatening and/or chronic health conditions (asthma, allergies, diabetes, seizures)
When Should Your Child Stay Home?
Below are some helpful guidelines to help you make that decision when to keep your child home:
- Fever 100.4 degrees or higher, vomiting or diarrhea within the past 24 hours. Must be free of fever, diarrhea, or vomiting for 24 hours without medication assisted before returning to school. (ex. 8am today to 8am tomorrow),
- Persistent cough or runny nose with thick discolored nasal drainage should be evaluated by a doctor.
- Rashes should be evaluated by a doctor. A medical note is required when returning to school.
- Red or pink, itchy eyes with crusty green/yellow drainage may return 24 hours after antibiotic treatment is started.
- Open sores with drainage should be evaluated by a doctor. A medical note is required when returning. Sores should be covered.
- Ringworm - may attend school after treatment. The infected area should be covered. When present on the scalp, it should be evaluated by a doctor. Medical notes are required when returning to school.
- Head Lice - to help prevent further outbreaks, please notify the school if your child has lice. DCS has a "No Nit" policy - ALL NITS must be removed before a student is allowed to return to school. A parent/guardian should accompany their child when returning to school. A nurse will check/assess your child upon return.
- Chickenpox - students with suspected chickenpox should be evaluated by a doctor. They may return to school when the blisters are dried or scabbed over (5-10 days) with a doctors' note.
- Wearing a mask is encouraged if a student is experiencing signs and/or symptoms of respiratory illness.
*For the safety of all students, faculty and staff, it is important to adhere to the policy and procedures set in place for sick students. However, if you have any concerns about your child's illness, please contact your doctor.
Jacquelyn Pearce, MSN, RN, MHA, ED
District Lead Nurse
(334) 793-1397 Ext. 236227
Email Nurse Pearce
Heather Johnson, RN
District Healthcare Liaison
(334) 793-1397 Ext. 236211
Email Mrs. Johnson