Healthy children are optimal learners. The District Health Services staff works with students, families, staff and the community to ensure that children's health needs are met so that they can attend school and be healthy and ready to learn. Student services include a variety of supports for students to help eliminate any barriers to learning that a student may encounter over the course of their pre-kindergarten to 12th grade education. These supports are for both students and families and include services provided in collaboration with community agencies.
Immunization
Forms & Requirements
Frequently Asked Questions
- GOOD HAND WASHING!!!
- after using bathroom
- before every meal or snack
- after recess and PE
- after coughing, sneezing, or blowing nose
- after handling garbage or animals
- Keep hands to yourself
- Cough or sneeze in your elbow
- Use tissue to blow your nose, throw tissue in garbage, wash hands
- Use a napkin at lunch, not your pants/shirt
- Avoid touching your nose, eyes, and mouth
- Use your own supplies when possible
- Drink plenty of water (OK to carry water bottle when needed)
- Get some fresh air and daily physical activity!
Each day parents are faced with a decision: should they keep their student home or send them ill to school. A student should remain home when he or she:
- Vomits and has not been able to keep a meal down.
- Has diarrhea
- Coughs almost constantly or complains of difficulty breathing
- No longer are we sending students home with a temperature of 100 or more. It will be based on how they feel and the ability to concentrate on schoolwork.
Keeping a sick student home prevents the spread of illness at school. It allows the student opportunity to rest and recover. An ill student cannot learn effectively and is unable to participate in a meaningful way.
In accordance with the State of Iowa and Howard County Departments of Public Health, Howard-Winneshiek CSD has implemented a plan that will support families by emphasizing prevention, early detection, and education in the management of head lice.
Family involvement is very important in preventing head lice outbreaks and families must actively participate at home in the treatment of head lice. Our goal is to support families and keep students in school.
Students with head lice will not be excluded from school. Treatment is recommended before returning to school.
For more information visit the Iowa Department of Public Health website or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
School requirements from the State of Iowa:
- Lead screening is required for Screenings need to be completed before 6 years of age. (This should be done at your medical clinic.)
- Vision screening is required for Kindergarten and 3rd Screenings need to be completed no earlier than 1 year prior and no later than 6 months after the 1st day of school of the required grade.
- Dental screening is required for Kindergarten and 9th Screenings need to be completed no earlier than 3 years old or 1 year prior to 9th grade and no later than 4 months after the 1st day of school of the required grade.
- Updated vaccinations are required for entry into Preschool, Kindergarten, 7th grade, and 12th Vaccinations or valid proof of exemption needs to be completed prior to the 1st day of school of the required grade.
Other reminders and plans to make:
- All daily meds taken during school hours must be turned in to the nurse’s office each Paperwork has to be completed and signed every new school year.
- Emergency meds need to be reported to the nurse’s office each year. New paperwork has to be filled out each school year if a student is going to carry any prescription meds (examples: Epi pens, rescue inhalers). This also helps the nurses identify students that need to have emergency medical plans at school.
- In grades K-6, if a student has any as needed over-the-counter meds they need to have available at school, meds must be turned in to the nurse’s office in the original packaging.
- In grades 7-12, students who would like to carry a small supply of as needed over-the-counter meds will need to check in with a nurse and have a parental permission slip signed before carrying their own meds at school.
- Both nurse offices carry Tylenol and Ibuprofen for the occasional convenience of students and their families. If a student needs meds regularly, families will need to supply their own meds. In general, plan to supply your student’s meds if they need Tylenol or Ibuprofen more than 5 times in a school year.
- If your 7th-12th grader is planning on participating in any sport, they will need a physical to Physical forms and concussion forms must be completed every year of sport participation and have to be turned in before the 1st day of sports practice.
Medication Authorization
The parent or guardian or other responsible adult must deliver the medication directly to the nurse or principal. Controlled substances must be counted with the nurse or in her absence, the principal, at the time of delivery.
Medications must be brought into school in an original over-the-counter container or an original pharmacy container labeled with name of student, name of prescribing physician, date of original prescription, name and strength of medication and directions for administering. No more than a 45 school day supply of medication will be kept in school.
Administration of Medication at School
The State of Iowa has definitive regulations regarding administration of medication in schools. If it is necessary for your child to take medication during school hours, these are the steps for you to follow to facilitate the procedure and to meet the State regulations:
The prescribing physician or dentist, licensed to practice in this or any other state, or advance practice registered nurse (APRN) or physician assistant (PA), must submit a written order for each medication. Forms for these orders are available from the school's health office.