School Nurse

 Parents/guardians should carefully consider their child’s statement of feeling ill. The following guidelines will help determine when a child should NOT attend school:

● Diarrhea/Vomiting: Students who are vomiting or having diarrhea (2 or more watery stools) will be sent home from school and will not be allowed to return until they are symptom free for 24 hours. Children should be kept home if they were vomiting or experiencing diarrhea during the night.

● Fever: Students who have a fever of 100.4° F or higher will be sent home. Students will be readmitted after they have been fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medications, i.e., Tylenol, Motrin, and Advil. (Please refer to the protocol concerning student absences.)

● Pink Eye: Symptoms of pink eye such as eye drainage, crusty eyelids, redness on the white part of the eyes, swelling, and itching may indicate pink eye, which is a contagious disease. Children with these symptoms will be sent home and should be seen by a doctor for a diagnosis. A doctor’s excuse that states WHEN the student will be allowed to return to school will be required. No eye drop medication is allowed at school.

● Rash/Lesions: A student with an undiagnosed rash or lesions will not be allowed to stay at school. Skin rashes or lesions will be considered possibly contagious. A doctor’s excuse is required in order for the student to return to school.

● Boils: Students with boils must be seen by a doctor and must remain home for 24 hours after starting antibiotics. A doctor’s note will be required in order for the student to return to school, and when he or she returns to school, the boil must be covered.

● Head Lice: To help prevent the spread of head lice infestations, school employees shall report all suspected cases of head lice to the school nurse or trained school personnel. The student shall be examined to determine an infestation by looking closely through the hair and scalp for nits or live lice. If an active infestation is present, based on the presence of live lice or many nits less than ¼ inch from the scalp as per the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the parent/guardian shall be notified to arrange pickup of their child from school. The parent/guardian shall be provided information on the biology of head lice, methods to eliminate infestation, and directions to examine household contacts for infestation.  According to the AAP, nits more than ¼-inch from the scalp indicate the infestation is probably old and no longer active and does not need to be treated. If the recommended lice product has been used, students may return to school with minimal nits present. The parent/guardian must bring the student to school and remain until the school nurse or trained personnel determines if the student may return to class. If live lice are found, one additional excused day may be given. Before re-admittance to the classroom, the school nurse or trained school personnel shall re-examine the student’s head for an active infestation. Students should not miss more than one (1) day of school for the treatment of head lice. Additional days will be considered unexcused.

If you are notified by the school that your child is ill, you must make arrangements to have your child picked up from school within one (1) hour.

LA School Immunization Entry Requirements

Students entering school for the first time shall present a completed or up to date immunization record (Louisiana State Law Statute LA R.S. 17; 170). All students entering 6 th grade AND 11 years old or any student who is 11 years old (regardless of grade) shall present evidence of age- appropriate vaccinations including a Tdap booster, meningitis vaccine and a second varicella (chickenpox) vaccine. All students entering 11th grade AND 16 years old, or any student who is 16 years old (regardless of grade) shall present evidence of age-appropriate vaccinations including a second Meningitis vaccine.

Students who have not received proper immunizations may not be allowed to come to school if there is an outbreak of communicable disease at school (chickenpox, measles, pertussis, etc.). If an outbreak of a vaccine-preventable disease occurs, upon the recommendation of the state office of public health, school administrators may exclude from attendance unimmunized students until the appropriate disease incubation period has expired, or the unimmunized person presents evidence of immunization. Students may participate in school without the required immunizations if either of the following are present: 1) A written statement from a provider stating the procedure is contraindicated for medical reasons; or 2) a written letter of dissent from the parent or guardian. Letters of dissent must be completed by the legal parent or guardian and submitted to the school nurse. You may obtain the form from the school nurse or from the TPSS website under “School Nursing Services.” If this dissent is due to a medical reason, a written statement from the doctor must be received. 

Students’ vision and hearing are screened by the school in Pre-K, Kindergarten, grades 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11, and from parent or teacher referrals. If a problem is detected, a note will be sent home to the parent referring them to their physician for a more complete evaluation. 

Medication Order for Louisiana Public Schools

Medication & Treatment Administration Plan

Physician's Authorization for Special Healthcare

Letter of Dissent 2021 - 2022

Medication Intake Procedures for 2022 - 2023

Permission for Emergency Treatment

Parent/Guardian Request and Authorization for Medication Administration 

Release for Medical Documentation

The Positive COVID Test Reporting form gives the school system formal notification that an employee or student has tested positive for COVID-19. This notification is required by law.

The Absence Due to Sickness or COVID Symptoms form provides the school notification of a child's absence from school. It also serves as documentation that the parent provided a written note of excused absence for the child due to illness.