Health Clinic
Mission: Holy Spirit will promote and protect the health of its students. The school nurse will assess and promote the physical and mental health needs of students in school to facilitate their academic success.
Absences
If your child is absent, please email [email protected] before 8:20 a.m. on each day of absence. Please leave the student's name, room number, and the reason for the absence.
Annually Required Paperwork
All Students:
New Students:
- VA School Entrance Health Form (Kindergarten students need a new VA School Entrance Form- to include a Hearing and Vision screening, even if they attended Holy Spirit Preschool)
Students with Chronic Conditions (allergies, asthma, diabetes, seizures):
- Medication Authorization for any over the counter medicine included in the action plan
Students with Daily Medicines:
If you do not want to send in rescue medication, please provide a signed copy of the Refusal to Provide Medication Form.
Medications
All medication must be brought to the school by the parent or guardian in its original container, and labeled appropriately with the student’s name, dose, and frequency of administration. Controlled substances must be counted upon delivery in the presence of the school nurse and the parent/guardian. Parents/guardians and the school nurse will each initial the med count.
All over-the-counter medicine must be delivered to the Main Office by a parent or guardian in the unopened original container. Parents must complete the Medication Authorization Form.
All prescription medications require a Medication Authorization Form to be completed by BOTH parent and prescribing physician, including medicines used to treat ADHD, or required by an asthma, diabetes, allergy, or seizure action plan.
Students in grades pre-K through 8th grade may not carry epinephrine. Epi pens will be kept in the clinic or with the EDC coordinator.
Please note: all medications not picked up on the last day of school will be disposed of per state regulations.
Sick and Injured Students
Illness limits academic achievement and risks community wellness.
Do not send your child to school if they have the following symptoms:
- Temperature greater than 100.0 without use of antipyretic medication; copious congestion or disruptive cough, malaise, muscle aches, vomiting and diarrhea, or new rashes.
- If you believe your student has these symptoms due to non-infectious reasons and can be in school, please contact the school nurse for guidance or provide medical documentation.
Students may return to school if:
- They are fever-free without the use of fever-reducing medicines for 24 hours
- They have received 24 hour's worth of an antibiotics regime
- They are able to eat without vomiting or diarrhea and are not taking anti-emetics or antidiarrheal medications for 24 hours
Students Who Become Ill or Injured at School:
- Students will be given medical care in the clinic. The nurse will notify parents (or emergency contacts) should the condition of your child’s illness or injury require rest at home or further medical attention. Any child who is exhibiting symptoms of illness that has not previously been discussed with the school nurse BEFORE coming to school or without a documented medical history will be sent home. Students are to be picked up from the clinic within 30 minutes of being notified.
Students Who Require an Orthopedic Device:
- All new Orthopedic Devices (sling, boot, cast, crutches, etc.) or shoe modifications for injury require a signed physicians note detailing the specific injury, return to school date, supportive care, permitted activities, and duration of recovery or date of next appointment.
Health Screenings
Vision and Hearing Screening:
- Virginia Code 22.1-273 requires schools to conduct vision and hearing screening in Kindergarten, Third, and Seventh Grades. Routine screening for vision and hearing are usually done as part of an annual exam at your pediatrician’s office. Students with a current screening may provide updated School Entrance Forms to the school nurse in lieu of screening at school. Parents may opt out of screening for religious or developmental reasons.
- If your child is followed by an ophthalmologist or an ENT, please notify the clinic so we can make a notation in your student’s health file. You may also provide this information in the annual Health History Update.
Scoliosis Screening:
- Students in all grades should be screened for abnormal curvature of the spine. Holy Spirit will send home guidance for scoliosis screening. Screening does not take place at school. Parents should request a screening during their child’s routine annual exam at the pediatrician’s office.
Concussion Screening:
- After any head injury, the school nurse will screen for initial signs and symptoms of concussion. Should the student be referred home for rest or for additional medical care, the nurse will continue to conduct screenings per the CDC protocol until the student leaves school grounds. This screening will be sent home with your child or given to emergency personnel.