Illness and when to stay home

We realize there are times when it is in the best interest to keep students home from school due to illness. Our goal is to provide a healthy environment for all students. Please contact your school nurse or child's doctor if you are unsure if you should keep him/her home. Following are some basic guidelines.

Your child should remain home if:

• Temperature greater than 100.4 F; may return to school when fever free for 24 hours without fever reducing medication

• Antibiotics are prescribed; may return after taking the antibiotic for a minimum of 24 hours and fever free for 24 hours without fever reducing medication

• Vomiting/Diarrhea; may return when 24 hours have passed since last episode of vomiting/diarrhea without medication

• Cough that is persistent and interferes with normal activity

• Distracting pain from earache, headache, sore throat or recent injury

Health Requirements for School Attendance

(Summary Chart of requirements is below)

Health Assessment

State law requires that every child entering public school in North Carolina for the first time receives a health assessment. The health assessment must be completed by a licensed health care provider and the date of examination can be no more than 1 year prior to the first day of attendance.  The completed assessment form must be submitted within the first 30 calendar days of enrollment. Follow this link for additional information on health assessments.  See below for the required form. Other forms are not accepted.

Immunizations

All students enrolling in school must submit an immunization record within 30 calendar days of enrollment. There are additional immunization requirements for students entering 7th and 12th grade. These requirements must be met within 30 calendar days of the opening day of school. Follow this link for NC Immunization Requirements. 

Medications 

We recognize that students may need to take medication during school hours. To minimize disruptions to the school day students should take medications at home rather than at school whenever feasible. Medication, including over-the-counter and emergency medications [ie. rescue inhaler or epi-pen] may only be administered at school upon receipt of a completed Medication Authorization form. In limited circumstances a student may be allowed to self-administer medications. The authorization form must be completed by a licensed health care provider and the student's parent/guardian. Please refer to the District Medication Policy #6125 for more information or contact your school nurse. See below for the required form. Other forms are not accepted. Medication forms are required annually.

Special Diets

When a child has been identified as having a disability and has special dietary needs a written medical statement from a licensed health care provider is required to make any changes to the school breakfast and/or lunch meal, this includes eliminating a food item or making milk substitutions. Once received, changes can be made to the school meal. Diet orders do not expire. A new order is required for any changes, to include stopping the diet modification. Please contact your school nurse or the Director of School Nutrition for more information.  Follow this link for additional information on special diets. See below for the required form. Other forms are not accepted.

Chronic health conditions

When students enroll and at the beginning of every school year parents are asked to complete a health history for their child. Our goal is to make sure that health care concerns do not become a barrier to learning. After receiving additional information about the chronic health condition from the child’s health care provider and/or parent a health plan will be developed and shared with appropriate staff. The school nurse may provide care directly to the student or train other school staff to give medications or assist with specialized health care procedures.

Diabetes

Students with diabetes face many challenges in school. To ensure student safety and that medical needs are met please make an appointment with the school nurse prior to your child's first day of school. We cannot provide any diabetes care to students without the required completed paperwork from the child's health care provider. Once received we will provide a program of individualized health care as well as comply with NC law Diabetes Bill SB911.  This bill requires that we train Diabetes Care Managers for our students when the school nurse is not available. 

Concussion

A multidisciplinary team approach is taken with concussion issues at school. The school can be notified of a suspected concussion by any of the following persons: athletic director, coach, athletic trainer, healthcare provider, parent, or teacher. If after 2 weeks the student is still experiencing difficulties related to the injury a meeting will be held to determine if an Academic Plan of Care is needed. Follow this link to the CDC Heads UP page for more information and handouts.

Quick Links:

NCPS Schools Health Requirements

Health Assessment Form

Health Assessment Form in Spanish

Medication Form

Medication Form in Spanish

Diet Modification Form

Diet Modification Form in Spanish