Nursing Services
Little Falls Community Schools Nursing Services aims to promote a healthy environment to support student well-being. Health staff 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.
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 school. If your child has a critical health condition, an individualized health plan (IHP) may be created by the district nurse to acknowledge and plan for your child’s health condition.
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 both the student’s health care provider and parent/guardian and is valid for the current school year.
Prescription Medication Authorization Form
Middle School and High School
A prescription medication authorization form must be completed for any prescription medication to be administered at school. This form is completed and signed by both the student’s health care provider and parent/guardian and is valid for the current school year.
Prescription Medication Authorization Form
An over-the-counter (OTC) medication authorization form may be completed for a secondary student to carry and self-administer approved OTC medications at school. OTC medications may also be stored and administered in the school health office. This form must be signed by the student’s parent/guardian and is valid for the current school year. The parent/guardian is responsible for supplying medication. The school will not provide any medications to students.
Over-the-Counter Medication Authorization Form (Grades 6-12 Only)
Screenings
Vision and Hearing screenings are conducted each year for grade levels as follows. Scoliosis screenings are conducted only upon request. All screenings are available to any student upon request.
Vision: Grades K-5, 7, and 10
Hearing: Grades K-3, 5, and 8
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.
Individualized Health Plans
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. Please contact the district nurse if you think your child may benefit from an IHP. Students diagnosed with severe allergies (anaphylaxis), seizure disorder, or asthma may require an “action plan” to be completed by their healthcare provider. Completed action plans should be returned to your child’s school health office and updated annually.
District Nurse
District 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 health 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.
- 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 welcomed to contact your family physician or your school health office.
Return to School
See below for table of common childhood illnesses 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 participate in routine activities |
|
Mono |
Until well enough to participate in routine activities; Physician authorization for sports participation |
|
Chicken Pox |
Until all blisters have dried into scabs, usually 6 days after the rash began |
|
Head Lice |
Treatment is recommended before returning to school |
|
Ringworm |
Until treatment has been started |
|
Impetigo |
Until 24 hours after treatment began and sores are drying or improving |
|
Strep Throat |
Until 12 hours after starting antibiotic treatment and without fever for 24 hours |
| Covid 19 | Until 24 hours without fever and well enough to participate in routine activities |