Health Services

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.

District 196 follows guidance from leading health organizations (i.e. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Minnesota Department of Health, American Academy of Pediatrics) to reduce the spread of communicable disease. 
When unsure if your child should attend school, consult with a healthcare provider or contact your school nurse.

Children should stay home from school for the following reasons: 

• Fever of 100.4 or higher - can return when fever free for 20 hours without fever reducing medication. 
• Strep throat - can return after 12 hours of antibiotics and fever free for 20 hours without fever reducing medication.
• Vomiting or diarrhea (without a known reason)  - can return 20 hours after last episode. 
• Rash (without a known reason) with behavior change or fever of 100.4 or greater.
• Excessive coughing that persists and makes it difficult to participate in school.
• Not healthy enough to participate in routine school activities.

If a child becomes ill at school and needs to go home:

• The school nurse will call guardians listed in the child’s Infinite Campus record. Please update your contact information as needed, including emergency contacts.
• Students who are ill need to be picked up as soon as possible to prevent the spread of illness. 

Guidance on other common health issues: 

Pink eye guidance  (conjunctivitis) 

• There is no exclusion for pink eye unless the child has a fever of 100.4 or higher and/or is not healthy enough to participate in school activities (consult a health care provider for eye pain or reduced/blurry vision/recent eye trauma).

Head lice guidance (pediculus humanus capitis) 

• There are no notifications sent home or exclusions from school for head lice.
• Head lice is a common occurrence, is not related to personal cleanliness and has not been shown to spread at school.
• Parents/guardians are encouraged to regularly monitor for lice.
• If live lice are found at school, resources for treatment will be shared with parents/guardians.

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.

• Diamondhead Clinic (Eagan, Burnsville and Savage)
• Dakota Child and Family Clinic (Dakota County)

 

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.