Student Health Management

Parents should notify the District when a student has been diagnosed with a food allergy, especially those allergies that could result in dangerous or possibly life-threatening reactions either by breathing, eating or touching the particular food. It is important to disclose the food to which the student is allergic, as well as the nature of the allergic reaction. When the District receives information that a student has a food allergy that puts the student at risk for anaphylaxis, individual care plans will be developed to assist the student in safely accessing the school environment. The District’s food allergy management plan can be accessed in the school nurse’s office on each campus. Please contact the school nurse or campus principal if your child has a known food allergy or as soon as possible after any diagnosis of a food allergy.

In order for dietary modifications to be made or restrictions placed on a student's account in the cafeteria, the Special Dietary Needs Form must be completed by a physician. The school nurse may also need an emergency care plan signed by a physician, to include in the student's individual healthcare plan. 

Guidelines for the Care of Students with Food Allergies

The Commissioner of the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) in consultation with the legislated SB-52 Ad-Hoc Committee developed the Guidelines for the Care of Students with Food Allergies. It is for local boards of trustees of school districts and governing bodies of open-enrollment charter schools to use. 

Read the Guidelines for the Care of Students with Food Allergies at Risk for Anaphylaxis. 

Authorization for Students to Self-Carry Emergency Medication

A student with asthma or severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) may be permitted to possess and use prescribed asthma or anaphylaxis medication at school or school-related events only if he or she has written authorization from his or her parent and a physician or other licensed healthcare provider. The student must also demonstrate to his or her physician or health-care provider and to the school nurse the ability to use the prescribed medication, including any device required to administer the medication.

If the student has been prescribed asthma or anaphylaxis medication for use during the school day, the student and parents should discuss this with the school nurse or principal.

Resources

FARE Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Emergency Care Plan

Special Dietary Needs Form

Students diagnosed with asthma should be under the care of a health care provider and most will be managed with a prescription medication. Many students will have identified triggers and may need environmental modifications at school in order to avoid them. Some of these students will require an Individual Healthcare Plan (IHP). The school nurse will need to coordinate with the student’s family and health care team about the management of the child’s asthma at school. If your student requires asthma medication to be kept on hand at school throughout the school year, physician orders/medication authorization form must be submitted to the school nurse.  

Authorization for Students to Self-Carry Emergency Medication

A student with asthma or severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) may be permitted to possess and use prescribed asthma or anaphylaxis medication at school or school-related events only if he or she has written authorization from his or her parents and a physician or other licensed health-care provider. The student must also demonstrate to his or her physician or health-care provider and to the school nurse the ability to use the prescribed medication, including any device required to administer the medication.

If the student has been prescribed asthma or anaphylaxis medication for use during the school day, the student and parents should discuss this with the school nurse or principal.

Asthma Action Plan

Entering college students must show, with limited exception, evidence of receiving a bacterial meningitis vaccination within the five-year period prior to enrolling in and taking courses at an institution of higher education. Please see the school nurse for more information, as this may affect a student who wishes to enroll in a dual credit course taken off campus.

Bacterial Meningitis/Meningitis Bacteriana

Additional Information

Your school nurse, family doctor, and the staff at your local or regional health department office are excellent sources for information on all infectious diseases. You may call your family doctor or local health department office to ask about the meningococcal vaccine.  Additional information may also be found at the web sites for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS).   

The school administrator shall exclude from attendance any student having or suspected of having a communicable condition. Exclusion shall continue until the readmission criteria for the conditions are met as set forth by The Texas Department of State Health Services. 

The district is required to report certain contagious (communicable) diseases or illnesses to the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) or our local/regional health authority. The school nurse can provide information from DSHS on these notifiable conditions. The school nurse is available to answer any questions for parents who are concerned about whether their child should stay home.

Communicable Disease Chart & Notes for School and Child Care Centers

A student with diabetes who needs treatment or care at school must have a Diabetes Management and Treatment Plan (DMTP) developed by the physician and parent that will be used to develop an Individualized Health Plan. The student will be permitted to possess and use monitoring and treatment supplies and equipment while at school or at school related activities.  In order to self-manage, a student’s DMTP must evaluate if the student is mature enough and has demonstrated the skills to self-manage and be signed by the parent and the physician or healthcare provider. It is recommended that the ability to manage and properly self- administer diabetes medications is demonstrated to the school nurse or school health staff at regular intervals to ensure the student can safely and correctly self-administer their medication and manage their diabetes. School personnel that will be supervising the student during regular school hours, and during school-related extracurricular activities should be informed that the student is self-carrying with the intention to self-administer if necessary. 

For more information, contact the school nurse.

Authorization for Unlicensed Diabetic Care Assistant

Students with live head lice and/or nits will be excluded from school and re-admitted to school based on the following criteria

1. Parent or guardian accompanies the student to school the next school day for a head re-check by the school nurse or other designated staff member,
2. Student has been treated with an FDA-approved medicated shampoo/lotion treatment, and
3. No presences of live lice or nits remain.

Your child will accrue unexcused absences for each day they are absent with head lice and have not been brought to the school nurse for a re-check.  The school nurse is encouraged to conduct a 7 day follow up in order to confirm re-infestation has not occurred.

For elementary students, when a new lice infestation is identified by clinic personnel, notice including recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for the treatment and prevention of lice will be disseminated to the parent of the student(s) with the infestation and all parents of the children assigned to the classroom in accordance with state law.

As per the American Academy of Pediatrics and The National Association of School Nurses, massive screening is not recommended and will not be performed.  More information on head lice can be obtained from the Department of State Health Services, Managing Head Lice or the CDC, Head Lice Control and Prevention.

To address the care of a student with a seizure disorder while at school or participating in a school activity, a parent may submit a seizure management and treatment plan to the district before the beginning of the school year or upon enrollment of the student, or as soon as practicable following a diagnosis of a seizure disorder.

A parent who submits a plan must use the Seizure Management and Treatment Plan Form developed by the Texas
Education Agency.  For more information, contact the school nurse.

Also see “A Student with Physical or Mental Impairments Protected under Section 504.”

Seizure Action Plan