Health

Notes from the Nurse

Summary of health requirements to attend school in Iowa:

~Children must have a record of immunizations on file, or a signed medical/religious waiver. Required Immunizations must be up to date. Once you have given me a copy of your child’s waiver or shot record, you do not need to provide me another. The shots are typically given at the 4 or 5 year well child visit. There are no new required immunizations from Kindergarten to 7th grade.

• In 7th grade children are required to have an update of diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), and tetanus and Meningitis before the school year starts. Seniors are required a second Meningitis vaccine before the school year starts. We do encourage yearly influenza vaccines.

~ Children entering Kindergarten and 3rd grade are required to have vision screenings. The Lion’s Club comes every year and does a free screening for Kindergarten and Pre K with a picture that is interpreted by the Univ of IA Ophthalmology department. That picture covers the Kindergartners if you sign the permission slip. Please keep in mind, a professional eye exam is the gold standard.

~ We encourage you all to see a Provider regularly. Children should touch base with their provider to ensure proper growth and development. We will gladly take any notes from a provider and it doesn’t have to be on a particular form. We welcome you to let us know about any concerns you have about your child. You all know them far better.

~Lead screens are required to enter Kindergarten. We simply supply the state with demographic information and they link everything together.

~Dental screens are required for Kindergarten and 9th grade. The 9th grade screening must be done by a dentist or dental hygienist. We have I Smile that comes in and offers it to Pre K if you sign the permission slip, We strongly encourage going to see the dentist every 6 months.

As a reminder for when to keep your child home from school per our School Handbook :

1) Vomiting or diarrhea.

2) Severe cough &/or uncontrolled cough.

3) Unexplained skin rash or eruptions.

4) Swelling, redness, discomfort of the eyes.

5) Any Communicable diseases. If your child is started on an antibiotic, they must be on the antibiotic for 24 hours before returning to school.

6) Oral temperature of 100 degrees F & above.

NOTE: Your child needs to have a temperature of less than 100 degrees F for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medicine               ( ie: Tylenol , Ibuprofen) before returning to school.

Proper hand washing is the best way to keep germs at bay!

Here's a fun way to teach your kids :

• Wet your hands with warm, running water
• Add soap and rub your hands together front and back, between fingers and under nails for about 20 seconds. ( singing Happy birthday song)
• In a public restroom, you can use a clean paper towel to shut off the water.