UHS Nurse

It is important to make sure your student is up to date on vaccines. If he/she receives a vaccine please make sure an updated vaccine record is given to the campus nurse upon returning to school so their record can be updated in our system.

In accordance with state regulations to enroll in a Texas public school, Section 2.09 of the Texas Education Code states: “No person may be admitted to any elementary or secondary school unless he has been immunized against diphtheria, rubeola, rubella (measles), mumps, tetanus, poliomyelitis, hepatitis, and varicella (chickenpox).”

The only exception to this code is if receiving an immunization might be injurious to the child’s health (a doctor’s statement is required), for religious reasons, or if the parent/guardian has obtained a notarized affidavit of conscious exemption within the last two years.  

When a student becomes delinquent the parent/guardian/student will be notified and given adequate time to obtain the vaccine(s). If the student does not obtain the vaccine within the time allowed there is a risk of the student being withdrawn and he/she will be reenrolled when an up-to-date immunization record or exemption form is provided to the campus.

A student will be sent home for the following symptoms: 

• Fever- 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, or any condition that presents with fever, should be excluded from school until they are fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever suppressing medications.

• Vomiting- 2 or more times within 24 hours or when the child vomits and appears ill as determined by the nurse. Please note: coughing up phlegm may not cause a need to be excluded from school.
• Diarrhea- any diarrheal illness should be excluded from school until they are diarrhea free for 24 hours without the use of diarrhea suppressing medications. 
• Chickenpox- exclude until the lesions become dry or if lesions are not vesicular, until 24 hours have passed with no new lesions occurring. Because Chickenpox is a reportable illness to DSHS, Waco ISD requires a doctor’s note to return to school. 
• Conjunctivitis or purulent drainage from the eye(s)- The student may return to school with a doctor’s note or return when symptom free.
• Any skin rash or lesion that, in the nurse’s professional opinion, might be communicable. Infections (wounds, skin, and soft tissue)-exclude until drainage from wounds or skin and soft tissue infections is contained and maintained in a clean dry bandage; restrict from situations that could result in the infected area becoming exposed, wet, soiled, or otherwise compromised. 
• Other- any other sign or symptom that in the nurse’s professional opinion might be indicative of a communicable disease.
• Head Lice- Students with active head lice will be sent home at the end of the school day after notifying the parent. The student will be sent home the next morning if there is active lice present at the time of the recheck. The student may return to school once proper treatment is complete and documentation is provided to the school nurse. (Please see the Head Lice Procedure)

General

In order to comply with the Texas Board of Nursing’s statement regarding medication administration by school nurses, Waco ISD will require a doctor’s order for all medication administered by the campus nurse. Prescription medications will only be accepted in its original container with a complete and current prescription label present.  

Over the counter medications will only be given when accompanied by a doctor’s order.  This order must contain the name of the student, name of the medication, dosage and frequency to be administered.

Over the counter medications must also be in the original container. Waco ISD nurses cannot accept medication that is expired or any medications or supplements that are not regulated by the FDA.

Other Medication Procedures

• Students are not allowed to carry medications with the exception of asthma inhalers and epi pens with the order of a physician.
• Medications to be administered at school must be brought to school by the parent/guardian.  Medications received from a student will not be given.  The nurse will notify the parent/guardian to pick up any medication brought by a student.  Medication will not be sent home with the student under any circumstance.
• The parent/guardian must provide written authorization by signing a medication permission form in the nurse’s office for all medication to be administered.
• Over-the-counter medications will be brought to school in the original container.  
• Over-the-counter medications will only be given per the bottle directions and will require a physician’s order.
• Prescription medications will be in their original container and must be a current prescription.
• Prescription narcotic medications or medications that cause drowsiness or dizziness will not be given at school unless ordered by a physician to be specifically given during the school day.
• An R.N. can administer sample medications provided by a physician when the medication is accompanied by a written order.
• School personnel will not give medications not regulated by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA). No vitamins or herbal supplements can be given unless ordered by a physician and in the students IEP or 504 plan.
• Medications from other countries outside of the U.S., unless prescribed by a fully-licensed U.S. physician, will not be given.
• Medications will not be provided to students or staff by the school district.
• Any medication not picked up on the last instructional day of school will be destroyed.