Procedures

• First Aid

  In case of an accident, first aid will be administered in the health office and the parent/guardian will be called. If a student needs further treatment, the parent, ambulance, or rescue squad will transport the student to the doctor or hospital. In the event that a parent/guardian cannot be reached, the school will contact the physician listed on the Health & Emergency Information form to make whatever arrangements necessary to provide health service to the student or call the rescue squad.

  It is very important that parents/guardians fill out the Health & Emergency Information form. A new form is sent home at the beginning of each school year. Any change during the year should be forwarded to the school’s health office. The emergency numbers (someone who can be responsible for a student in the absence of the parent/guardian) should be local numbers.

• Illness

  To help assure good health care for students and alert health authorities to the presence of specific disease, parents are asked to call the school each morning the student is absent for any reason and to notify the school later if a specific disease develops.

  Since most diseases are spread before they are recognized, it is impossible to prevent exposure. Control measures are designed to protect individual students from complications. Parents are urged to keep their children home if they develop any symptoms suggestive of a communicable disease. The temperature guideline is: at 100 degrees the student goes home automatically. The child may return to school when they feel better and are fever-free without the aid of medication for at least 24 hours. Please do not send students who have an undiagnosed rash to school.

  If a student becomes ill while at school, the parent/guardian will be called. It is their responsibility to take the student home.

• Recess & Physical Education

  Elementary Recess

  If a child has a cold or other illness or injury and his/her parent wants the child to stay inside during recess for a day, the parent will need to send a signed note of request that also states the reason. If parents feel the condition will require two or more days inside during recess, they must obtain and send a note from a doctor stating the reason and length. Students are outside when the temperature is at or above zero degrees. If the temperature is lower than minus 10 degrees wind chill, they will be inside.

  Physical Education

  A doctor’s note is required for students to be taken out of physical education class for three or more days and for release from participation, after broken bones, sprains or surgery.

• Medication in School

  Policy

  Some students need to take medicine during the school day. Please complete the School Medication/Physician Order & Parent Authorization Form, which must accompany any medicine. Prescription medication must be in a prescription bottle from the pharmacy with the student’s name on it. Adults should bring the medication to the nurse’s office.

  The school does not supply over-the-counter medication (such as non-aspirin pain relievers, cough syrup, etc.). These medicines must also be accompanied by a permission form signed by a parent/guardian for use during the school day. Aspirin will not be given unless we have a physician’s permission because of possible complications of Reye’s Syndrome. Cough syrup is recommended rather than cough drops.

  If your student is on routine daily medication at home but does not need to take a dose at school, please let the school know the medication and the dosage so we are aware of the possible side effects to watch for while your student is in school.

  Parents, make sure the student’s coach has been notified of inhaler use and other health issues that could be affected by physical activity.

  Storage

  Medication to be administered at school is to be kept in the Nurse’s Office. Exceptions are students who may carry an asthma inhaler, if they have completed the inhaler contract. Other special requests may be discussed with the building nurse.

  Nebulizer Treatments

  Nebulizers are available in each building. Special arrangements may be made with your building nurse.

• Annual Student Screenings

  Students will be screened for the following:

  Vision & Hearing

  Grades: 1, 3, 5, 7
  Grade 1: Color deficiency

• COVID-19 Safety Plan

  Weekly Influenza Like Illness Rates

  COVID-19 Resources (English)

  • District COVID-19 Safety Procedures Updated 09.17.2024
  • Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) COVID-19 Website
  • COVID-19 Testing
  • Vaccination for kids FAQ
  • Vaccination Opportunities

  Recursos COVID-19 (Español)

  • Procedimientos de seguridad COVID-19 del distrito escolar de Northfield Updated 09.17.2024
  • Sitio web de COVID-19 del Departamento de Salud de Minnesota (MDH)
  • Prueba de COVID-19
  • Preguntas frecuentes sobre la vacunación de los niños
  • Oportunidades de vacunación

Parent Responsibilities

• Health & Emergency Information

  Health Information & Emergency information forms are obtained annually from parents/guardians and provide health information and emergency contact phone numbers.

• Student Health Care Plans

  It is helpful for student’s with health concerns to have a health care plan to guide health services in providing for the student needs while in school.

  • Allergy Care Plan (food and other allergies)  For food allergies please inform Child Nutrition Services.
  • Asthma Care Plan
  • Concussion Recovery Plan
  • Permission to Carry Inhaler(s)
  • Questionnaire for Parent of a Student with Seizures
  • Seizure Action Plan
• Immunizations

  Minnesota State law requires that students in all grades must have documentation for required vaccines. Students entering kindergarten and 7th grade will need to update their immunizations and will be excluded from school if not in compliance.

  • Student_Immunization_Form

  Read more about school immunization requirements on the district’s enrollment page.

  More information on immunizations:

  Minnesota Department of Health
  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  National Vaccine Information Center
  Institute for Vaccine Safety at Johns Hopkins University

   

• Should my Student Stay Home From School?

  Parents frequently have questions about when it is appropriate to stay home from school because of illness. Here are some guidelines to help with your decision.

  If your student has had a temperature of 100.0 degrees or higher in the past 24 hours
  If your child has vomited within the past 24 hours
  If your student feels ill enough that he/she would not be able to benefit from school
  If having your student at school would significantly put others at risk for catching your student’s illness

  Please contact your school’s nurse if you have questions.

• Common Childhood Illnesses

  Information sheets for the following childhood illnesses may answer your questions.

  • Chickenpox
  • Coldsores (herpes)
  • Cold (respiratory infections)
  • Fifth Disease
  • Hand Foot and Mouth Disease
  • Impetigo
  • Influenza
  • Lice
  • Mononucleosis
  • Pinkeye (conjunctivitis)
  • Pinworms
  • Ringworm Body
  • Scabies
  • Strep throat, Scarlet Fever, Scarlatina
• Whooping Cough

  District Protocol for Whooping Cough

• Measles

  Measles Fact Sheet