Health Office Procedures

 

 

 SAN GABRIEL UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT 

PARENT INFORMATION REGARDING POLICIES 

ON HEALTH OFFICE PROCEDURES 

 

Health Office Staff 

At each school, the health office is staffed by a health clerk. Health clerks are generally non-licensed assistive personnel who are trained and certified in CPR and first aid. Health clerks are not RN’s but work under the supervision of licensed, credentialed, district-wide school nurses. When present on site, the school nurses provide care for major injuries. When not on site, they are available by telephone at all times. 

 

Exclusion 

Note: Guidelines from the Los Angeles County Public Health Department will supersede District Policies for Exclusion and Return to School in the event of a communicable disease outbreak. 

The nurse or health clerk may send students home from school in all cases of illness and/or suspected infectious disease. California Education Code (CEC 48213). No child will be sent home without first contacting the parent. If a parent cannot be reached at home or place of business, the person designated on the Emergency Card is called. It is important to you and your child that the information on the emergency card is correct and current. Please notify the health office of any changes that might occur in this vital information. 

 

Your child may be excluded from school for the following reasons: 

 

∙ Symptoms of illness together with a temperature above 100.4 degrees, signs of acute respiratory infection, possible communicable disease, severe abdominal pain, earache or other pain including swollen or painful glands, and injuries. 

 

Once a child has been sent home for an elevated temperature, they must be fever-free without medication for 24 hours before being readmitted to school. 

 

A child that is ill MUST be picked up by a parent/legal guardian/designee and CANNOT be kept in the Health Office. 

 

Return to School 

Parents should phone the school the first day of an absence which is caused by a communicable disease. When a child returns from any absence, the state requires a note or phone call stating the reason the child has not been in school. 

 

When a child returns to school following a significant illness/injury they must present a release from their physician (MD or DO) or hospital to be readmitted. 

 

If a student returns to school with any medical equipment or supports (crutches, casts, wheelchair, braces, wraps, etc.) they must notify the school health office before entering the campus and present proper written authorization from their physician that clears them to return to campus. The note should also specify if activity accommodations are required and describe what equipment or supports are needed. The student must demonstrate safe and competent use of the equipment before using it on campus. 

 

Physical Education (PE) Excuses 

● Temporary Excuse: A parent or school nurse may excuse a student from participation in PE for one to two days. Students must present a note signed by a physician (MD or DO) specifying the reason for and the length of the excuse in order to be excused from PE for longer than two school days. The “Physical Education Restriction and Guidelines” form is available in the Health office. 

 

● Long-Term Excuse: For students who have medical conditions that require activity accommodations for participation or prevent participation in PE, a doctor’s note is required that specifies the reason for the exemption (diagnosis) and the length of the exemption. The exemption must be renewed annually. In very rare cases, an exemption from PE requirements for graduation may be granted by the School Board if sufficient documentation is on file. 

 

Medication 

To protect all children and to conform with the California Education Code, medications (prescription and non-prescription) that are to be given at school, require a written authorization from the physician and a signed release from the parents/guardians. Non-prescription “over-the-counter” medications include medications such as cough syrup, cough drops, cold tablets/capsules, aspirin or non-aspirin pain relievers, herbal remedies, medicated lotions/creams and nutritional supplements. 

 

Any student who is required to take medication prescribed by a physician during the regular school day may be assisted by the school nurse or health clerk. Under certain circumstances, a child may carry and self-administer medication if the school district receives the appropriate documentation in advance (CEC 49423, 49423.1). With the consent of the parent or legal guardian, the school nurse may communicate with the physician and may counsel with school personnel regarding the possible effects of the medication on the student. (CEC Sections 49423 and 49423.1) 

 

No student may carry any other medication on their person during school hours, including over-the-counter medications. 

 

Immunizations 

California law requires all students attending a private or public school in California be fully immunized before entry. The school must have a copy of each student’s vaccination record on file. It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to provide proof of immunization to the school health office. 

Medical exemptions for required immunizations can only be issued through the California Immunization Registry – Medical Exemption website (CAIR-ME) by physicians licensed in California. Schools may only accept new medical exemptions that are issued using CAIR-ME. All medical exemptions must be renewed upon entry into 7th grade. 

Resources: 

 

Immunization Requirements for TK-12th Grade can be found on the CDPH website at https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Immunization/School/shotsforschool.aspx 

If your child needs a medical exemption, follow the CAIR-ME Instructions to Request a Medical Exemption found at https://cair-me.cdph.ca.gov/home . These instructions provide a step-by-step guide for submitting a medical exemption request.