The School Health Services Program
Coordinated School Health Services Program
The School Health Program works to promote child and adolescent health and reduce health-related risk behaviors. It is comprised of school nurses, a school health services supervisor, and a medical consultant.
Allergies - Information & Resources
Whether caused by peanuts, dairy products, bees, or dust, allergies can be life threatening.
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Please observe school warnings meant to protect students with serious allergies;
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Report student allergies to the school nurse immediately;
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Provide EpiPens, if necessary—schools have EpiPens for unexpected emergencies, but the right prescription from a doctor provides greater safety for your child.
Eating Disorders
Sick Call: When Students Should be Absent
Illness or Injury Exclusion Criteria- Reasons for which a child may be sent home from school or for a parent to keep the child home from school.
- Fever of 100ºF and over – exclude until student has been fever-free for at least 24 hours.
- Conjunctivitis (pink eye), strep infections, ringworm, and impetigo are all infections and must be treated with medication for a minimum of 24 hours before returning to school. Please do not allow affected students back before this time so that other students are not infected unnecessarily.
- Rash of unknown origin (especially if accompanied by a fever).
- Head injury.
- Severe coughing or difficulty breathing.
- Colds – a child with thick or constant nasal discharge should remain home.
- Diarrhea or vomiting – exclude until student has been symptom-free for at least 24 hours.
- Stiff neck associated with a fever and/or a recent injury.
- Inadequate immunizations with known disease outbreak in school.
- Refer to the VDOH “Communicable Disease Reference Chart for School Personnel” for other exclusions/information.
School Nurse Services
The Role of the School Nurse
The primary role of the school nurse is to support student learning. This is accomplished by implementing strategies that promote student and staff health.
What Services Does the School Nurse Provide?
Annual Health Screening
Vision and hearing screening of all kindergartners, third graders, seventh graders, tenth graders, and newly enrolled PWCS students is conducted each fall by the school nurse and clinic volunteers. This is only a brief screening; parents should continually be alert to identify vision or hearing difficulties that indicate need for examination by a specialist.
Health Services
Assesses the health and development, provides nursing interventions, and evaluates students responses to care.
Health Education
Provides health education to students, staff and parents.
Healthy Environment
Identifies health and safety concerns in the school environment.
Nutritional Services
Supports healthy food services programs.
Physical Education/Activity
Promotes health and physical education which promotes health behaviors.
Counseling/Mental Health
Assesses needs, provides interventions and refers students to appropriate staff or community agencies.
Parent/Community Involvement
Promotes community involvement in assuring a healthy school.
Staff Wellness
Provides health education and wellness programs to school staff.