Is my child well enough to go to school?
This is a common question by many parents, so here are some general guidelines that may help you decide:
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FEVER: Children with a fever of 100 or greater should stay home for 24 hours after the temperature returns to normal without the use of over the counter fever reducers such as Tylenol(acetaminophen) or ibuprofen.
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FLU: If your child was diagnosed by a physician with the flu, returning to school is the same as the fever restrictions listed above.
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VOMITING/DIARRHEA: Child should remain at home until 24 hours after the last episode.
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RASH: Check with your family physician before sending your child to school with a rash in which you do not know the cause. Children may return to school if the rash is diagnosed as non-contagious or once the recommended treatment for the rash has been received. Diagnosis of a rash CANNOT be made at school.
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STREP THROAT: Children may return to school 12 hours after starting antibiotics.
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CHICKENPOX/SHINGLES: Your child should remain home until ALL blisters have dried to scabs, which can take 6-10 days.
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HEAD LICE: your child may return to school once they have been treated with medicated shampoo or oil treatment and no live lice are found.
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PINK EYE: Symptoms of pink eye will often include sticky discharge from the eye and a pink tint to the white part of the eye. Contact your child’s physician for advice/treatment because prescription drops may be necessary. Your child may return to school if diagnosed with pink eye by a physician 24 hours after beginning the eye drop treatment.
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COUGH: Coughing that interferes with or limits their ability to participate in school activities should be evaluated by your physician.
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NASAL DRAINAGE: Thick, colored drainage may need to be evaluated by your child’s health care provider.
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OTHER: If having your child at school would significantly put others at risk of contracting your child’s illness.
If a child exhibits these symptoms at school, parent/guardian will be contacted to take the child home. If the child’s parent/guardian cannot be reached, an emergency contact will be asked to pick up the child. School personnel CANNOT transport students home.
Contact the attendance secretary if your child is staying home from school. Please feel free to contact the school nurse with questions or to update her of a child’s illness at 320-547-5147.
Immunizations
Minnesota State Law - No Shots, No School!
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The State of Minnesota requires that all students must have received the required immunizations to enroll in or remain enrolled in a Minnesota Public School. Parents must provide the school with documentation indicating that the student has received the appropriate immunizations. Parents may file a medical exemption signed by a healthcare provider or a conscientious objection signed by a parent/guardian and notarized.
Use the link below for information regarding Minnesota's Immunization Requirements and Immunization Record.
Color-Coded Immunization Chart
Learn more at www.vaccines.gov
Health Screenings
Vision and hearing are conducted during the year as recommended by the Minnesota Department of Health.
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Vision: Grades K-5
Hearing: Grades K-5
If your student does not pass a portion of the hearing screen they will be checked again in 2 to 4 weeks. If they do not pass the vision screening a letter will be sent home for you to follow up further with your own medical professionals. If at any time you have concerns about hearing and/or vision please contact the school nurse.
Head lice: Periodically and as needed
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Please alert the nurse or the office if you find that your child has lice or may have been exposed to lice.
REPORTING ABSENCES
Absences must be reported to the school to be considered as an excused absence. Report your child's absence each day your child is ill by calling the attendance line at the school. Please report the child’s name, teacher/grade and reason for the absence. If your child is ill, report the symptoms and/or any diagnosed communicable condition.
Please contact the school Health Office if your child has any injury or illness that will require modifications in his/her school day, prior to returning to school.
If your child is absent and the school has not received notification of the absence, the school will attempt to call the home number listed on the Emergency Information Sheet to either speak with a contact or leave a message inquiring about the absence.
SPECIAL DIETARY NEEDS
Some students have special dietary needs due to food allergies, food intolerances, or disorders affecting digestion. If your child has any special dietary needs due to a medical condition, the school can assist in meeting those needs. Please provide a doctor's order specifying the child's dietary needs or condition.
Please notify the school of any food allergies that your child has. We need to be prepared to prevent an allergic reaction and to handle an allergic reaction if it should happen. If your child has an allergy, we will develop a Food Allergy Action Plan along with you and your child's physician.
School Nurse: Lizz Schafer 320-547-5147 lschafer@swanville.k12.mn.us
EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION
Student safety is our number one goal at Swanville Public Schools. It is important to us to maintain current information on a student's health information and emergency contact information. If a student gets sick or injured at school to the extent that it is necessary to contact parents, we use the information provided by you on your child's emergency contact sheet. This provides the school with phone numbers to reach parents, as well as alternate people that the school can contact and release a student to in the event that we are unable to reach the parents. We will not release a student to anyone that is not listed on the emergency contact sheet without verbal consent from a parent.
Please complete the Emergency Information Sheet at the beginning of each school year and update it throughout the school year if information changes.