Health Center

Wendy Ewing, BSN, RN

Unfortunately, Covid is not going anywhere and will continue to circulate every year, just like the flu and common cold. We are now holding Covid to the same standards as the other endemic respiratory illnesses. 

• If the student is ill and doesn't feel well, they should stay home until they feel better.
• The student must be fever free for a full 24 hours before returning, without the use of fever-reducing medication (i.e., Tylenol, Motrin, etc.)
• Coughing must be minimal - constant coughing can not only increase the risk of spreading germs, it can also cause a great deal of distraction for the student coughing and their classmates, resulting in a loss of learning. If a student is experiencing constant coughing, they may be asked to stay home until the cough has resolved.
• Masks are optional and the decision to wear one is a personal choice made by the student and their parents. 
• We no longer require a negative test to return to school. As long as the above criteria is met, the student is welcome to come back and learn. 

• List any allergies and chronic illnesses your student may have.
• List any medications they take.
• Include at least 3 emergency contact phone numbers for your child.

Medications

NEW Medication Requirement

In accordance with the Arizona School Board Association and the DVUSD Governing Board Policy JLCD, concerning administration of medication at school, there is a new requirement in order to give prescribed medications and dietary supplements in the school setting.  This includes daily prescription medicines, asthma medicines, and prescribed allergy medicines (Ex:Epi-Pens, AuviQ)

Governing Board Policy JLCD Medicines/Administering Medicines to Students: "There shall be a written order from the physician stating the name of the medicine, the dosage, and the time it is to be given."

All prescription medications must have a written doctor's order with student's name, dosage, time, and frequency to be administered.  The medication must be in the ORIGINAL labeled bottle from the pharmacy - most pharmacies will give you an extra "school bottle" if you ask.  All forms are available in the nurse's office, or they can be downloaded below.

Basic Medication Information

There are no stock over-the-counter medications in the Health Center! 

If you want your child to have an OTC (over the counter) medication, you must bring it in the original container and sign a parent medication consent permission form for the nurse to administer it at school during school hours. 

The nurse is only allowed to give the dosage given on the label for the age/weight of your child.  If an OTC medication states, "ask a doctor" for the dosage amount, a doctor's note will be required (besides a parent, over the counter medications cannot legally be dispensed by anyone other than a pharmacist or physician).           

If a medication states it is to be taken once or twice daily - that medication should be given at home not by the school nurse.

Medications are not kept in the nurse's office over the summer.  Medications not picked up within one day of the end of the school year will be discarded.

Field Trip Medication

If a student needs medication while on a field trip, the medication must be furnished by the parent and given to the teacher prior to departure for the field trip.  A signed field trip medication form must accompany the medication.  The medication must be provided in the original container with only the number of doses needed for the field trip.  Medications such as tablets or capsules cannot come from the school nurse's supply.  The school nurse cannot legally direct anyone other than another nurse to give medications.

Students are screened every year in grades PK, K, 1, 3, and 5. In addition, any new students to Deer Valley Unified School District and students in any resource classes are screened yearly. If your student fails the screening a referral letter will be mailed home. Please bring the letter to your eye care professional, have them fill out the form and return it to the nurse's office.

• Itchy head or tickling sensation (most common)
• Feelings of something moving through the hair or on the head
• Sores on the head from scratching
• Difficulty sleeping as lice are more active at night

• Over the counter treatment kits may be found at most grocery stores, CVS/Walgreens, Target/Walmart. Treatment must be repeated 7-10 days after the first application.
• Nonpharmacological treatment can be used for parents who prefer to avoid chemical treatment. Nonpharmacological treatment requires rigorous wet combing every 3 days for 2 weeks, although cure rate is significantly improved with combing every 24 hours for 2 weeks.

• Avoid head to head contact
• Do not share brushes, combs, or towels (disinfect by soaking in hot water, at least 130 degrees)
• Do not share clothing, hats, scarves, barrettes, hair ribbons, coats, etc. 

Tips:

• Perform weekly hair/head checks
• Encourage your child not to hug friends or share clothing, hats, or hair ties.
• After slumber parties increase hair/head inspections, wash and dry clothing/bedding in water that is at least 130 degrees.
• Children with long hair should keep their hair contained with a ponytail, braid, etc., this will decrease the likelihood of hair to hair transmission during play and close contact during school activities.

If your child has lice please inform the school nurse 623-445-7610. Information is kept confidential.