Health Services

Nurse's Corner

Health Services

Nurse's Corner: Marlene Gebhart, School Nurse for RHS, MES, LES, KQA and Preschool

 

Your school nurse may not be in your building daily due to multiple school obligations, but will be available by phone all other school days. You are also welcome to speak to the office staff or principal about your child’s health concerns, or leave a confidential voicemail at 970-587-5742 ext 103.

The district has adopted a plan to manage serious allergies, and asthma at school.  If your child has a serious allergy, or asthma, please print a copy of the form to take to your physician to complete.  You may also speak to your school nurse to have it completed with your input and faxed to your physician for approval.  This plan is good for one school year and requires parent, nurse, and physician signatures. If your child has diabetes, please contact the nurse for a plan.  Immunizations are required in Colorado.  If you prefer to have a non-medical exemption that will need to be redone annually, please go to: https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/vaccine-exemptions 

or see the nurse for a form to take to your physician. Failure to provide the school with required vaccinations (or a signed non-medical exemption) could cause exclusion from school until they become compliant.

 

 Frequently Asked Questions:

What does my child need to enter school?

Colorado law requires all students attending Colorado schools and licensed child care to be vaccinated against certain diseases unless a medical or non-medical exemption is filed.  For more information about vaccine requirements, resources and exemptions, please visit the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s School Immunization page or see https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/vaccine-exemptions

 

 You will also need a copy of your child’s latest physical exam.  Physicals are required for Preschool and Sports, and are encouraged for initial entry, kindergarten, 4th grade, and 7th grade. The current year online registration is requested.

 

How Sick is Too Sick?

When Children and Staff Should Stay Home from School or Child Care.

 

Evaluation of a sick child must consider which diseases are currently circulating among students, staff, and the community. Known exposure to cases or an outbreak of a contagious disease (including but not limited to those listed here), even without a confirmed diagnosis, may necessitate more stringent return to school requirements.

During Colorado's ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic, children and staff who have symptoms consistent with COVID-19 should receive testing, and follow the COVID-19 isolation guidance until testing is completed or if they test positive. If the individual tests negative for COVID-19, the individual should then follow the recommendations for their disease or symptoms using the below guidance.

 

There are four main reasons to keep children and adults at home:

 

  1. The child or staff is at risk of infecting others with COVID-19 or another contagious illness, either because of symptoms or recent close contact.
  2. The child or staff member does not feel well enough to take part in usual activities. For example, a child is overly tired, fussy or will not stop crying.
  1. A child needs more care than teachers and staff can give while still caring for the other children.
  2. The child or staff member has symptoms or an illness is on this list, and staying home is required.

 

 

What do I do if my child needs to take medication at school?

* Many medications may be given outside of school hours.

* You may come to the school and give it to your child at the appropriate time.

* A medication permission form must be filled out if the medication must be given at school.  The physician AND parent must sign this form, however we may fax it to your physician if you would prefer. Students may not carry medication on them unless it is emergency medication (inhalers, epi-pens, or diabetes supplies).  Tylenol, ibuprofen, cold and allergy medication, etc must have parent and physician approval and be kept in the nurse’s office.


Marlene Gebhart, School Nurse
Healthy children learn better
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