Nursing Services
Little Falls Community Schools Nursing Services aims to promote a healthy environment to support student well-being. Nurses at each school provide a collection of services including First Aid and Illness Management, Medication Management, Screenings (Vision, Hearing, Scoliosis), Immunization Management, and Individualized Health Plans.
First Aid and Illness Management
If your child stays home ill, please call their school daily to report their absence. If your child becomes ill during the school day, they should be assessed by Nursing Services and may be required to be sent home.
Medication Management
Preschool and Elementary
A prescription medication authorization form must be completed for ANY medication to be administered at school (this includes over the counter medications). This form is completed and signed by the student’s healthcare provider and is valid for the current school year.
Screenings
Vision, Hearing, and Scoliosis screenings are conducted each year for the grade levels as follows. All screenings are available to any student upon request.
Vision: Grades K-5
Hearing: Grades K-5
Scoliosis: Upon Request
Immunization Management
Please provide your child’s school with an updated immunization record annually and when your child receives a new immunization. The state of Minnesota requires all students to be up to date on their immunizations or provide proof of exemption due to medical reasons or parent/guardian’s belief. For more information on immunization requirements, please see the Minnesota Department of Health’s website.
Health Form
A confidential health form is to be completed annually for ALL students entering grades pre-K through 12. Please submit your child’s health form to their building nurse. If your child has a critical health condition, an individualized health plan (IHP) may be created by nursing services to acknowledge and plan for your child’s health condition.
School Nurse
Guidelines for Keeping Your Child Home from School
Parents often wonder whether or not they should send their child to school when they have a mild illness. Below you will find guidelines for keeping your child home due to illness. Please call your child’s school daily to report their absences.
- Fever of 100°F or greater
- They should stay home until 24 hours after their temperature has returned to normal (without the use of fever-reducing medications).
- Vomiting or Diarrhea
- They should stay home until 24 hours after the last episode.
- Rash that might be disease related or unknown cause
- Check with your primary care provider before sending student to school.
- On antibiotics for any reason
- Keep them at home until they’ve had a full 24 hours of medication.
- Purulent (pus-like) eye drainage.
- Symptoms of severe illness such as: unusual fatigue, uncontrolled cough, difficulty breathing.
- Any illness in which your child is unable to participate and function properly in school.
If your child is ill, please call the school DAILY to report the illness.
If you have any questions about these guidelines, feel welcome to contact your family physician or your school nurse.
Return to School
See below for table of common childhood illnesses, their symptoms, incubation period, and a quick glance at when they can return to school.
|
Disease |
Student Should Stay Home |
|---|---|
|
Pink Eye |
No exclusion unless child has a fever or is unable to participate in routine activities |
|
Influenza (Flu) |
Until 24 hours without fever and well enough to return to usual activities |
|
Mono |
Until well enough to return to usual activities; Physician authorization for sports participation |
|
Chicken Pox |
Until all blisters have dried into scabs, usually 6 days after the rash began |
|
Head Lice |
Until treated with lice medication and no live lice are seen. MUST see nurse before returning. |
|
Ringworm |
Until 24 hours after treatment began |
|
Impetigo |
Until 24 hours after treatment began |
|
Strep Throat |
Until 12 hours after starting antibiotic treatment and without fever for 24 hours |