SPS Health Services Website: https://www.sps.org/Page/2363

Nurse’s Office Hours:
9:00 AM - 3:30 PM, Monday-Friday

Out of Office/Unavailable:
11:25AM-11:45AM and 2:30PM-2:50PM Monday-Friday

School Nurses:
Phone: 417-523-2430         Fax: 417-523-2539

Jenell Pickering, RN  BSN
Email: jppickering@spsmail.org 

Tori Levesque, RN BSN
Email: vllevesque@spsmail.org 

What happens if my child is sent home from school?

A student will be sent home with any of the following:

• Temperature of 100.4 degrees or more
• Nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea
• Symptoms related to possible communicable disease (skin rashes, redness of eye(s), swollen glands, etc.)
• Excessive drainage from eyes, ears, persistent earache, constant cough; or painful sore throat/swollen glands
• Students with (or having the potential to transmit) an acute infectious disease or parasite
• Head lice and/or nits

If a student is sent home from school due to illness, the student must remain at home for the full school day following the day dismissed. In addition, the student must be symptom free without administration of any fever reducing medications or other medications to relieve symptoms for at least 24 hours before returning to school.

Students returning to school after injury, including concussion and/or surgery with crutches, casts or slings should present a physician release to return to school along with a written request for any necessary modifications or accommodations.

Please discuss any questions regarding when to return to school with the school nurse and/or contact Health Services.

Over the Counter Medications: If your student requires an over-the-counter medication, please contact the school nurse and set this up. Forms are required, and students may not carry medication with them. If they do, they will face disciplinary action. Depending on situations, we can work with you and your child during this time to make things easier.

Prescription Medications: If your child will be taking a daily or as-needed prescription medication during the school day, please bring the medication and fill out paperwork before the first day of school. If this need arises after the school year has started, contact the school nurse to review information.

Special Health Concerns: If your child has diabetes, asthma, severe allergies, or other chronic health conditions, please contact the nurse before the first day of school, so appropriate supplies and paperwork can be obtained. In these instances, orders from a physician will be required before the first day of school.

Immunizations: If your child will be in 8^th grade this year, in order to attend school, they must have documentation of a Meningococcal (MEN) vaccine and Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis (TDAP). Please contact Health Services over the summer at 523-1630 with any questions. Also watch out for opportunities to get these updated at school. When these are completed, you do need to provide proof to the school nurse to update your child in the system.

Helpful hints for a successful school year:

• Keep a full change of clothes in your backpack. You never know when you will need it!
• The nurses DO NOT have Tylenol/Ibuprofen/Tums/Cough drops or other medications to administer to students. If your child might need these medications, see above.
• Please keep us up-to-date on your child’s health and any medical diagnoses they may have. In case of emergency, it is critical we know your child’s medical history. Emergencies resulting in a 911 call or other necessary measures are scary for everyone, especially your child.
• If your child contacts you during the school day and says they do not feel well, please direct them to our office so we can assess them and follow the appropriate attendance protocol.
• You cannot drop off medication for your child in the main office. You will need to wait and give it to them personally, or fill out the appropriate paperwork.
• All paperwork must be filled out yearly. Please contact the school nurse for forms.