Hirsch Elementary School

Hirsch School Nurse

Dione Cosey, LVN

SCHOOL NURSE DEFINITION
We are here as healthcare providers in the school setting. We assess sick students, provide first aid for injuries, attend to emergencies, promote safety and wellness for students and staff, and maintain students’ health and immunization records to name a few of our duties.  We value education and will encourage students to remain in school or class unless they have a communicable illness that prevents them from attending school per SISD policy.

24 Hour Communicable Illness Policy

SISD  Administrative Regulation FFAD is in place to ensure the health and safety of all students and states that students who exhibit vomiting, diarrhea, or a fever 100 degrees or higher (Fahrenheit) must be excluded from school. Re-admittance is allowable as follows:

• Free of fever (greater than 100) for at least 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication such as Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen. Common trade names of products containing these medications include, but are not limited to, Tylenol, Motrin or Advil.

• All Aspirin –containing products should be avoided due to the possibility of Reyes syndrome.

• Food and liquids have been tolerated for at least 24 hours without vomiting and/or diarrhea, and without the use of medication to relieve these symptoms.

• Students diagnosed with a contagious illness that is being treated with prescription medication, must complete a minimum of 24 hours of the prescribed medication dosage prior to returning to school. 

Immunizations

Students are required to maintain updated immunization records with the campus nurse. Please remember to give your nurse a copy of any shots given outside of school so we can update your record. You will be notified if your child is due any upcoming immunizations. It is your responsibility to get your child the vaccine and provide the nurse with a copy of the record by the date indicated. We will be happy to assist you with information of area clinics.

Medication Policy

No medication or drugs of any type are to be carried by a student, kept in a locker, or elsewhere on school grounds. Any exception to this rule must be approved, documented in writing, and on file in the school clinic. Medication must be in a properly labeled container, with one medication per container, and must not be expired. According to Texas Education Code 38.013, a student with Diabetes, Asthma, or Anaphylaxis is entitled to possess and self-administer his/her prescription medication while on school property. All required paperwork must be completed and on file in the school clinic. Forms can be obtained by the school nurse and must be renewed annually. Students who are found to be in possession of any medication without proper authorization may be subject to disciplinary action as written in the KISD Discipline Management Plan and Student Code of Conduct.

Medication Less Than 15 days
Prescription or nonprescription medications that need to be taken at school for 15 days or less, must be accompanied by a written permission, signed and dated by a parent or legal guardian. You may download this form, or a written note is also acceptable. Please include time to be given and dosage. (See attached document)

Medication More Than 15 Days
All Prescription and nonprescription medications to be administered longer than 15 days must be accompanied by a written request signed and dated by the prescribing physician and the parent/guardian. This allows the medication to remain in the clinic the entire school year and a new form must be done the next school year.
Medication prescribed or requested to be given three times or less a day will not be given unless a specific time during the school hours is prescribed or the school nurse determines that a special need exists for an individual student.

Natural and /homeopathic-like products not FDA approved cannot be dispensed in the school clinics by school personnel.