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Health Services

Licensed school nurses provide a variety of services that support a healthy learning environment for all students and staff in District 196. If your student has a health condition that could result in an emergency (for example, serious allergy with epi pen, diabetes, seizure disorder or asthma) or has a health condition requiring accommodations (for example, medication administration, treatments or restrictions) contact the school nurse before the school year starts or as soon as the condition develops.

Our school and district websites have the necessary forms for you and your child’s physician to complete.

Learn more about available District 196 health services > 
 
REPORT STUDENT ABSENCE

Contact

Nurse Angie Photo

Angela Mahowald,
Woodland Elementary School Nurse

Office Hours: 8:30AM-4PM

Phone: 651-683-6993
Angela.Mahowald@district196.org

Healthy students are successful students

Our school staff provide a variety of services that support a healthy learning community. We are committed to providing students with health conditions access to their education by facilitating their independence and creating a community of support by working collaboratively with the student, their family and district staff. School nurses promote optimal student health for optimal learning. 

Establish healthy habits early to ensure your child’s success

Instilling healthy habits and routines (adequate sleep/nutrition) and consistent attendance ensures a student’s success in school even as early as kindergarten. We know that too many absences/tardies, for whatever reason, can cause children to fall behind both academically and socially.

To help ensure healthy habits consult with your health care provider regarding well-visits and immunizations, as well as maintain good hygiene. Also:

  • Get the appropriate vaccines.
  • Wash your hands frequently.
  • Practice physical distancing from members outside your household, when appropriate (staying more than 6 feet apart).
  • Stay home if you are sick (so you do not spread the illness to other people).
  • Use a tissue, or cough and sneeze into your arm, not your hand and turn away from other people.
  • Use single-use tissues. Dispose of the tissue immediately.
  • Wash your hands after coughing, sneezing or using tissues.
  • If working with children, have them play with hard surface toys that can be easily cleaned and disinfected.
  • Do not touch your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands (viruses can enter your body from unwashed hands).
  • Do not share cups, glasses, dishes, cutlery, cigarettes or cellphones.
  • When recommended by public health authorities, wear a non-medical mask when in a public space and physical distancing cannot be maintained.

The school district will follow the guidelines from the Minnesota Department of Health for recommended exclusion and notification for vaccine-preventable diseases including coronivirus, mumps, measles, rubella, pertussis, diphtheria, viral hepatitis, chickenpox and meningitis. Families will not be notified and students are not excluded for lice, pink eye or strep throat.

Community Clinics

We are fortunate to have two community health clinics in Dakota County to support children and families who are in need of minor and routine health care services. Please see the links below if you are looking for routine physicals, sports or camp physicals, initial mental health screenings, and other basic health care needs. All families welcome regardless of insurance status.

 

Illness and injury

In cases of illness or significant injury at school, a parent or guardian will be contacted by the school health office. If a parent or guardian cannot be reached, the emergency contact will be called. The emergency contact must be willing and able to provide transportation and supervision of the student. It is important the parent/guardian and emergency contact information is current for all students. If no one can be reached, 911 will be contacted as necessary. Please keep your contact and emergency contact information up to date.

Immunizations

In order for students to enroll or remain enrolled in elementary or secondary school, Minnesota law requires documentation of required immunizations, written proof of exemption or conscientious objection. Students will not be allowed to start school until this information is returned to the health office. Your child can meet the immunization requirements through being fully immunized, providing a signed medical exemption letter or through a notarized conscientious objection. 

Learn more about immunization requirements >

Medications

To ensure students receive needed medication and that it is not misused, the school district has developed rules for the administration of medication in school. Please note the following points:

  • All medication must be kept in the office of the school nurse and must be administered by the school nurse or other appropriate school personnel unless there is authorization for self-carry/self-administration on file with the health office.
  • Medication guidelines:
    • A completed Prescription Medication Authorization Form from a student’s parent or guardian and
      • Medication in a prescription bottle or original container is required before a school nurse will give a student prescription or non-prescription medication
      • Only FDA approved medications will be administered by school personnel
      • Parent consent for non-prescription medications is required
  • If medication is to be given for more than two weeks, a written order from a physician or dentist must be provided to the school.
  • If prescription medication remains in the nurse’s office after the end of a school year or when the student is no longer attending the school, the nurse will contact the student’s parent or guardian to pick up the medication. If the medication is not picked up within one month, it will be destroyed. With parent permission, epi pens, inhalers and insulin can be sent home with the student at the end of the school year.

Questions should be discussed with your school nurse. 

Learn more about medication requirements >

Health screenings

Each year students participate in screening. Students also receive hearing and/or vision screening upon request from a parent or guardian or if the teacher suspects a hearing or vision concern that is affecting the student’s ability to learn. If you do not wish to have your child screened, please contact the school nurse.