Nurse's Corner

  • Nurse’s Office Hours:
    7:20 AM - 2:20 PM, Monday-Friday

    Unavailable/Break/Treatment:
    1:00pm – 1:45pm Monday-Friday

    School Nurse:
    Phone    : 417-523-1730     Fax: 417-523-7195     Email: jppickering@spsmail.org

    FYI

    • The nurse DOES NOT have Tylenol/Ibuprofen/Tums/ Cough drops or other medications to administer to students.  If your student may need these medications, please refer to the Medication Policy below.
    • 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 that we know your child's medical history.
    • You cannot send medications with your student, or drop medication for your child off in the main office.  All medications must be delivered by an adult directly to the nurse and appropriate paperwork completed.
    • All paperwork must be filled out yearly.  If you had forms filled out for this school year, they must be filled out again for the following school year.

     

    Illness and Injury

    Students with the following signs or symptoms of communicable disease, must remain home for 24 hours after resolution of signs/symptoms, without medication to resolve the symptoms, or until cleared to return by medical provider:

    • Fever - temperature of 100.4 degrees or greater

    • 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

    Students who have taken any fever-reducing medications such as Tylenol or Ibuprofen in the past 24 hours must stay home until they are fever-free without the use  of medication for 24 hours.

     

    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.

     

    Medication Policy

    • District personnel will not administer the first dose of any medication except for the medications that are only used in an emergency situation. The student should be under the care of the parent/guardian for a minimum of two hours after the first dose of any new medication prior to the student attending school.
    • Prescription & Over-the-counter Medications: Medications taken at school are to be delivered and picked up by parent/guardian. Medication must be in the current prescription bottle or original container. A medication permit and administration form must be completed and signed by parent/guardian. The first dose of any medication will not be given at school. Over the counter medications may be given at school for a period of 3 dose with permission form signed by parent/guardian and must be in original container. Administration for more than 3 doses requires a written standing order from a doctor or authorized prescriber for the individual student, which can be faxed to the school. Any remaining medications must be picked up by a parent or designated adult. Medication will not be sent home with a student.

     

    Immunizations

    Missouri State Statute requires all students to have on file evidence of compliance in relation to immunizations prior to attending school. Parents/guardians should bring immunization records or proof of exemption at time of enrollment and as additional immunizations are required by state law.

     

    PE/Activity Restrictions

    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.

     

    Head Lice Absence/Exclusion

    It is the expectation of Springfield Public Schools that students excluded for head lice/nits should be treated immediately and return promptly back to school.

    Upon return to school, the school nurse or designee will check the student’s hair before the student can return to class. If lice or nits are still present, the school nurse or designee will send the student home for further treatment.

    If the student does not return to school on the day following exclusion for head lice, the Attendance Advisor will contact the parent/guardian and/or will make a home visit.

    Absences for students not returning on the day following the initial head lice exclusion will be coded Elective.
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