Student Health Services

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Student Health Services

Student Health Services work to promote child and adolescent health and reduce health-related risk behaviors. It is comprised of school nurses, a school health services supervisor, coordinator, and a medical consultant.

The Role of the School Nurse

School Nurses are Specialized Instructional Support Personnel. They are the pivotal role that bridges healthcare and education. School nurses are instrumental in removing health barriers for all students. They maintain and support students with physical and mental health care needs to support academic success.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recognizes the important role school nurses play in promoting the optimal biopsychosocial health and well-being of school-aged children in the school setting.

Required Health Information & Forms for Parents

The first four tabs below provides families with necessary forms and guidance needed to update your student's medical information when returning to school. Medication cannot be administered to any student without appropriate authorization forms completed and on file. Medication must be provided in a new, sealed container with the completed authorization form. Students may not transport medication to and from school. Any medication not meeting the PWCS regulations will not be administered to your student.

 

Medications at School

Medications at School

Medication cannot be administered to any student without appropriate authorization forms completed and on file. Any medication must be provided in a new, sealed container with the completed authorization form. Students may not transport medication to and from school. Any medication not meeting the PWCS regulations will not be administered to your student.

In accordance with the Code of Virginia 22.1-274.2 and § 8.01-226.5:1, students diagnosed with asthma or anaphylactic reaction may possess and self administer certain inhaled asthma medications, self-injected epinephrine, or other emergency medication, with the appropriate authorization form on file.

Medical Authorization Forms

Management of Allergic Reactions in the School Setting: Administering Epinephrine Auto-Injector - Regulation 757-2

Food allergy and anaphylaxis emergency care plans must be submitted annually at the beginning of each school/SACC year dated after May 1, and whenever modifications are made to this plan.

Management of Health Treatment Plans in the School Setting - Regulation 757-3

Management of Medication Administration in the School Setting - Regulation 757-4

Management of Asthma in the School Setting - Regulation 757-5

Management of Diabetes in the School Setting - Regulation 757-6

Management of Seizures in the School Setting - Regulation 757-7

Immunization Requirements

Immunization Requirements

Required Health Forms

The following health forms are required for enrolling a student in Prince William County Public Schools. A school physical is required for all students enrolling in preschool through grade 5.

Athletic Forms: Please refer to the PWCS Student Athletics webpage for additional information. The following forms are needed if a student plans to participate in PWCS athletics.

High School Forms

Middle School Forms

Regulations & Fact Sheets

Health Regulations

Fact Sheets and Other Resources

School Health Advisory Board

The purpose of the School Health Advisory Board (SHAB) is to advise the school division on broad topics or on specific aspects of the coordinated school health program. Areas of concern include, but are not limited to: mental health, school nutrition, health education, health services, physical education, staff wellness, school climate, dropout prevention, school safety, violence prevention, drug and alcohol prevention, and family life education.

SHAB provides guidance and serves to advocate school health concerns. SHAB assists with the development of health policy in the school division and the evaluation of the status of school health, health education, the school environment, and health services. SHAB will hold meetings at least semi-annually and report annually on the status and needs of student health in the school division to any relevant school, the school board, the Virginia Department of Health, and the Virginia Department of Education.

Wellness Plan–Regulation 275-1

School Nurse Services

What Services Does the School Nurse Provide?

  • Annual Health Screening: Vision and hearing screening of all kindergartners, third graders, seventh graders, tenth graders, and newly enrolled PWCS students is conducted each fall by the school nurse and clinic volunteers. This is only a brief screening; parents should continually be alert to identify vision or hearing difficulties that indicate a need for an examination by a specialist.
  • Health Services: Assess health and development, provides nursing interventions, and evaluates student responses to care.
  • Health Education: Provide health education to students, staff, and parents.
  • Healthy Environment: Identify health and safety concerns in the school environment.
  • Nutritional Services: Support healthy food services programs.
  • Physical Education/Activity: Promote health and physical education which promotes healthy behaviors.
  • Counseling/Mental Health: Assess needs, provides interventions and refers students to appropriate staff or community agencies.
  • Parent/Community Involvement: Promote community involvement in assuring a healthy school.
  • Staff Wellness: Provide health education and wellness programs to school staff.

School Staff Training

Code of Virginia Training Required for School Staff

CPR/First Aid/AED: This course addresses the teaching, learning, and working environment is caring, safe and healthy, and values human diversity of the strategic plan. This course is provided for PWCS staff members. Instruction will be provided for a two year ECSI CPR/AED certification and three year First Aid certification. Participants will be trained in Standard First Aid and CPR/AED techniques.

Administration of Medication: This course addresses the teaching, learning, and working environment is caring, safe and healthy, and values human diversity of the strategic plan. This course is provided for PWCS staff members designated to be trained by school principals. Attendees must complete the entire program. Successful completion of the Administration of Medication course will help staff safely care for students requiring medication at school. Once the course is completed a school nurse shall provide annual one-hour refresher training for two consecutive years. School staff designated must also attend a refresher course every three years after initial training. Legal reference: Chapter 881, Code of VA, § 55.1-3408, M.

Insulin & Glucagon: This course addresses the teaching, learning, and working environment is caring, safe and healthy, and values human diversity of the strategic plan. This course is provided for PWCS staff members designated to be trained by school principals. Attendees must complete the entire program. Successful completion of the Insulin & Glucagon course will help staff safely care for diabetic students. Once the course is completed a school nurse shall provide annual one-hour refresher training for two consecutive years. School staff designated must also attend a refresher course every three years after initial training. Legal reference: Section § 22.1-274 part E of Code of VA.

When should a student stay home due to illness?

Illness or Injury Exclusion Criteria

Reasons for which a child will be sent home from school/School Age Child Care (SACC) or for a parent to keep the child home from school/SACC. Students with the following conditions will not be permitted to ride the school bus home. The student must be released to a parent/guardian or adult designee.

  1. Fever of 100.4ºF and over - exclude until the student has been fever-free for at least 24 hours.
  2. Conjunctivitis (pink eye), strep infections, ringworm, and impetigo are all infections and must be treated with medication for a minimum of 24 hours before returning to school. Please do not allow affected students back before this time so that other students are not infected unnecessarily.
  3. Rash of unknown origin (especially if accompanied by a fever).
  4. Head injury.
  5. Severe coughing or difficulty breathing.
  6. Colds - a child with thick or constant nasal discharge should remain home.
  7. Diarrhea–sudden increase in frequency to more than three loose/watery stools per day. Exclude until student has been symptom free for at least 24 hours.
  8. Vomiting–unless the vomiting is determined to be caused by a diagnosed non-communicable/non-infectious condition (such as dysmenorrhea, dysphagia, etc.).
  9. Abdominal pain that continues for more that two hours or intermittent abdominal pain associated with fever or other signs or symptoms.
  10. Stiff neck associated with a fever and/or a recent injury.
  11. Inadequate immunizations with known disease outbreak in school.
  12. Refer to the Virginia Department of Health Communicable Disease Reference Chart for School and Child Care Facility Personnel (PDF) for other exclusions/information.
Regulation 757-1

Contact Us:


Brenda Miller-Dorick
Supervisor of Student Health Services
[email protected]

Connie Meade
Administrative Coordinator
[email protected]

Cindi Sutton
Administrative Coordinator
[email protected]

Donna Knepp
Nurse on Special Assignment (Homebound)
[email protected]

Biatrís Gonzalez
Administrative Assistant
[email protected]

We Love Our School Nurses!


 

 

School nurse smiling at child PWCS logo

NOW HIRING SCHOOL NURSES

Are you THAT nurse with strong critical thinking skills, that can work autonomously in a fast-paced environment, and has a collaborative spirit? If so, come join our PWCS School Nurse Family.

All Nursing Backgrounds Welcomed!

APPLY ONLINE:
www.pwcs.edu/employment

Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) does not discriminate in employment nor in the provision of educational programs, services, and activities on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions including lactation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other basis prohibited by law.