Health Infomation

The school nurse is available one day a week. Certificates of immunization are required of every new student and 7th grader before entrance into school. Students are expected to have a physical examination before entrance into Kindergarten and grades 4 and 7. Examination forms are available on the school website. The nurse maintains individual pupil health records as required by the State of Iowa.  An audiologist from Heartland AEA conducts hearing screenings on, Kindergarten, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 grades.

Health Care Plans

The Iowa Administrative Code 281–41.23(281) states the definition of “individual health plan is the confidential, written, preplanned and ongoing special health service in the education program. It includes assessment, planning, implementation, documentation, evaluation, and an emergency plan. The plan is updated as needed and at least annually. Licensed health personnel develops this written plan with the education team.” The Administrative Code further states before the provision of special health services a written individual health plan is on file [IAC 281–41.23(1)(b)(4)].

When should your child stay at home?

The following are public health recommendations when deciding whether or not to send a child to school due to possible illness.

• Diarrhea/Vomiting – within 24 hours. Keep child home
• Fever – 100 degrees or greater: Keep child home until fever-free at least 24 hours.
• Runny Nose – 1) due to allergies; send a child to school; 2) due to cold virus with other symptoms such as cough, sore throat, headache, yellow/green drainage from the nose: Keep child home.
• Strep Throat – highly contagious bacterial infection, sore throat, fever, aches. Diagnosis is made by a throat culture: Child needs to be on antibiotics for at least 24 hours and symptoms subsiding before returning to school.
• Pinkeye – highly contagious and presents itself with burning, itching red eyes with yellow drainage. The child should be seen by a physician and should be on medication for at least 24 hours and symptoms subsiding before returning to school.
• Chickenpox – symptoms include low-grade fever and a distinctive rash. The rash causes itching and may be severe. Children must be excluded from school until all blisters have scabs. This usually takes 5 days or more.
• Impetigo – this usually begins as red spots which fill with fluid (blisters). The blisters rupture easily and the fluid dries and forms a honey-colored crust. The areas most affected are the hands and face, especially around the nose and mouth. A physician must start the child on antibiotics before returning to school. Any draining lesions must be covered when in school.
• Influenza – High Fever and Body Aches.  Keep child home
• Rash – may be due to different illnesses and may be contagious. A physician should be contacted for diagnosis and permission for your child to return to school.
• Head lice – symptoms include itching and lice nits in the scalp hair. The student will be excluded until after the first treatment with a lice shampoo.
• Scabies – this involves microscopic mites under the skin that present as tiny reddish pimple usually between fingers, on wrists, elbows, armpits, and beltline. Scabies causes severe itching and is contagious. The student will be excluded until after treatment by a physician.
• Meningitis – Headache, Nausea, With Stiff Neck and Fever.  Antibiotics For 24 Hours or Until Dr. Permits

Health Forms

• Click Here for Health Requirements
• Click Here for Spanish Translated
• Click Here for Dental Services in Polk County
• Click Here for the Dental Screening form
• Click Here for Student Physical Form
• Click Here for Clinics in the Des Moines Area