Nurse

Nurse Schedule:

          Central Elementary -  Phyllis Brooks      Phone: 361-972-2911

          East Side Intermediate - Gina Obenhaus       Phone:  361-972-2016

          Palacios Junior High - Lisa Harper 7:45am - 12:00pm     Phone:  361-972- 2417

          Palacios High School - Lisa Harper 12:30pm  - 3:45pm     Phone:  361-972-2571

During the year, your child will be sent to the nurse in case of illness or accident.  You, or the person you name, will be notified if your child must be sent home and it will be up to you to get medical attention.  If the emergency is so great that the child must be taken immediately from school for medical attention, you will be notified as soon as possible.School Health

For the protection of all the students, the following rules have been set forth and will be adhered to at all times.  A child will be sent home if he/she has any of the following symptoms:

1. Fever 100 degrees or above
2. Suspected contagious illness
3. Vomiting
4. Diarrhea
5. Suspected contagious rash
6. Feels too badly to remain at school

If your child has any of the above symptoms prior to coming to school, please keep the child at home.  A child must be free of fever for 24 hours before returning to school.  Medicating your child with Acetaminophen, Tylenol, Ibuprofen, or Motrin does not constitute being fever-free.  A child with a suspected conjunctivitis (pink-eye) should be kept at home and will have to be evaluated by a doctor before returning to school.  If the doctor confirms the child has conjunctivitis, the child will have to be on an antibiotic eye drop for 24 hours before returning to school.  We can allow your child to rest at school, but only until arrangements can be made for them to go home.

If your child has been diagnosed with any chronic health condition, please inform the nurse.  This includes:  asthma, seizures, migraines, anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction), diabetes, heart or lung abnormalities, arthritis, ADHD/ADD, or any disease of concern.  Please keep all medical information updated throughout the school year and notify the school if any of your emergency contact numbers change.

IMMUNIZATIONS

To enter school:  State Law requires new entrants to provide an immunization record or a signed exemption. 

For more information, refer to the Texas Department of State Health Services website,
http://www.dshs.texas.gov/immunize/school/school-requirements.aspx.

VISION & HEARING

All 4 year old and kindergarten students are screened annually, as well as any 1st time entrants.  Annual screens are also done in grades 1, 3, 5, & 7 or anytime it's requested by a teacher or a parent.

MEDICATIONS

According to Texas Law Family Code 21.914, authorized employees of the school may administer medication to a student provided:

     A signed written request to administer the medication from the parent, legal guardian, or other person 
     having legal control of the student is sent to school with the medication.

     All medication must be in the original container and properly labeled with the name of the drug.

     All prescription medication must also be labeled with above information including student's name,
     doctor's name, dosage and times to be given and dated.

Students are to check in all medication into the office so that they can be properly dispensed during school hours.

SPINAL SCREENING

Texas state law says that schools must screen students for spinal problems if the school has not received documentation of spinal screening results performed by a licensed healthcare professional or an affidavit of religious exemption signed by the parent.  Children shall undergo screening for abnormal spinal curvature according to the following schedule:

• Girls will be screened once at age 10 and again at age 12.
• Boys will be screened once at age 13 or 14.

If, for religious reasons, a parent/guardian does not wish to have his/her child screened, the parent/guardian will need to contact the school nurse to sign an affidavit of religious exemption prior to the date scheduled for spinal screening.

If your child has had screening for abnormal spinal curvature performed by a licensed healthcare professional, please provide a copy of the results of the screening to the school.  If you will have your child’s spinal screening performed by your own healthcare professional, please contact the school nurse to sign an affidavit stating the screening will be provided by the child’s healthcare provider and provide a copy of the screening results to the school as soon as possible.  If your child is currently under medical care for a spinal abnormality, please provide documentation dated and signed by the healthcare provider stating the child is under active medical care for spinal problems. 

HEAD LICE INFORMATION:

https://www.dshs.texas.gov/schoolhealth/lice.shtm?terms=lice

METHICILLIN-RESISTANT STAPH AUREUS INFORMATION: 

https://www.cdc.gov/mrsa/community/

FLU INFORMATION:

www.TexasFlu.org

Links & Resources:

Texas Department of Health
Centers for Disease Control