Health Information

ANAPHYLAXIS: LIFE THREATENING ALLERGIC REACTIONS

Parents of children with life threatening allergies (i.e. eggs, milk, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, wheat, and soy, latex, insect stings, etc.) may contact the District Resource Nurse assigned to their school, prior to the first day of class, if they have additional concerns not addressed below.

• There are staff members on each school campus who are trained to administer the epinephrine auto injector (Epi-pen, Adrenaclick, etc.) for your student, should it become necessary.
• Designated staff members on each campus are made aware of all students on campus who have life threatening allergies.
• Arrangements can be made for an allergen free snack/lunch table.
• A general letter regarding food allergy precautions is available to send home in certain classes, if needed. Please contact the Resource Nurse for your student’s school for more information.
• Frequent hand washing and NOT sharing food are practices that are encouraged for all students in our district.
• You may download the only form required for epinephrine auto injector administration at school (PUSD form H-58) by clicking on Potential Anaphylactic Reaction listed below.

Nutrition and Allergen Information 

Note: If you would like your student to carry their own Epipen/Antihistamine, both the H-58 & H-26B need to be completed.

ANAPHYLAXIS: LIFE THREATENING ALLERGIC REACTIONS FORMS

ASTHMA

ASTHMA FORMS:

COMMUNICABLE DISEASE

Communicable disease is a disease that spreads from person to person.  It means a germ such as a bacteria or virus, is in the school environment (air, water, plants, animals, and humans).  Early identification of signs and symptoms (runny nose, cough, sore throat, fever, etc.) of communicable disease is of paramount importance to increase the health of the school population and decrease school absenteeism.

Effective control of the spread of communicable disease includes vaccination, proper hand washing, covering sneezes and coughs, appropriate cleaning of classrooms and gathering places, early recognition of symptoms, prompt diagnoses and treatment.  Poway Unified School District’s resource nurses work closely with the San Diego County public Health Department in identifying cases of communicable disease in our schools.  Nurses provide education regarding proper hygiene at school and home, and the importance of vaccinations.  For your student’s protection and reassurance, please assure up-to-date emergency numbers are on file at school!  Information regarding locations and times of vaccination centers is available to parents on our website under immunizations.

HOW YOU CAN HELP KEEP OUR SCHOOLS HEALTHY:

• When notified of a communicable disease in your child’s classroom/school; review the communicable disease information sheet (H-3) sent home with your student.  Observe your student for specific symptoms and consult your health care provider as needed.
• In some cases a doctor’s note is required when a student has been diagnosed with a communicable disease, to indicate when the student may return to school.  For more information on when a doctor’s note is required, click on communicable disease list (H-3) below.
• Encourage effective hand washing! It is the MOST effective way to prevent the spread of infectious disease.  Scrub wet hands with soap for a minimum of 30 seconds.  Scrub vigorously wrists, tops of hands, between fingers, palms, and fingernails.  Rinse thoroughly with running water and dry.  When done correctly, hand washing will help students and staff members avoid spreading and receiving germs.
• Keep hands away from eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Cover mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing with elbow or tissue.
• Discard tissues promptly in an appropriate waste container.
• Wash hands after discarding tissue.

COMMUNICABLE DISEASE FORMS:

DIABETES

California Education Code, Section: 49423.5 allows for specialized health care services such as a Diabetes Management Plan to be performed by trained designated school staff under indirect supervision of a Credentialed School Nurse.

All supplies/equipment (medication, food, glucose tester, lancets, etc.) must be supplied by the parent/guardian.

The Diabetic Management Plan must be completed by the parent/guardian AND physician, and must be signed on appropriate page(s) of procedure.  Diabetic Plans from medical facilities (i.e. Children’s Hospital) are acceptable, but the front page of the PUSD Diabetic Management Plan must be signed by the parent/guardian and included with the packet.

DIABETES FORMS AND INFORMATION:

HEAD LICE

HEAD LICE (PEDICULOSIS CAPITIS) – JUST THE FACTS
 
What Are Head Lice?
Head lice are small insects that live on the human scalp and feed on blood. Nits are the eggs, which are gray/white and about the size of the head of a pin. While feeding, lice inject saliva into the skin, which causes itching. Head lice do not usually spread disease.
 
Who Gets Head Lice, and How Do I Know How do I Spot Them?
Anyone can get head lice. Children are particularly susceptible due to their close contact in play with others. Head lice crawl; they do not jump, so a person with head lice is more likely to give them to family members and people with whom they spend a lot of time or share objects (combs, hats, clothing, etc.). Look for lice and nits near the scalp where the hair is thickest, usually behind the ears and around the nape of the neck. Lice avoid the light and will scurry away when hair is parted.
 
Treatment

• If you think your child has head lice, consult with your child’s pediatrician.
• Treatments come in a variety of forms such as shampoo, cream rinse, and gel. Follow the directions on the label as recommended by the manufacturer.
• Apply head lice treatment (over the counter or prescription) specifically made for killing head lice.
• After the hair has been treated, all eggs should be combed or handpicked from the hair.
• While hair is still damp, comb hair through to remove tangles. Then remove nits from the hair shaft.  You will need a bright light (and magnification, if available) to see the nits; a fine-toothed comb, preferably made of metal, to strip the nits; a good book or video may assist in keeping the child occupied.  Comb the hair from underneath, small sections at one time.  To prevent re-infestation, it is essential to inspect the hair daily for one week.  Continually strip any nits you may have missed by running your fingernails down the hair shaft. Although complete removal of nits is time consuming, it is necessary.
• Inspect all family members and treat if live lice are found.  Children under 2 years of age and pregnant mothers should not be treated without consulting with a doctor.
• Lice infestations on people can be quickly and easily treated. However, unless the sources of re-infestation are also eliminated, you can become re-infested.  Lice can survive in the environment for 24 – 48 hours. 
• The following environmental treatments are recommended
  • Vacuum furniture, rugs, and floors.
  • Wash bed linens and washable clothing in hottest water cycle (20 minutes)
  • Heat pillows, blankets, or other fabric items in the clothes dryer at the hottest cycle for 20 minutes. Dry clean clothing that cannot be washed or stored for 30 days in a sealed plastic bag (pillows, stuffed toys, etc.).
  • Clean the child’s combs, brushes, and other hair accessories such as clips and barrettes in hot water for 5 minutes; or a solution of 1/4 cup bleach in 1 gallon of water for at least 10 minutes.
  • Spraying an insecticide on furniture, rugs, or pets is not recommended.

• Encourage children not to share headgear, towels and bedding.
• Encourage parents to incorporate inspecting child’s hair as part of their regular hygiene routine.
• Parents to notify the school whenever their child has head lice.

• Children with identified live head lice are referred for treatment at the end of the school day. Until the end of the school day, avoid activity that includes head-to-head contact with other children or sharing of any headgear. 
• Return to school after the child has received the treatment recommended by the child’s health professional.  A trained staff member rechecks the student before returning to class.

IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS FOR CHILDCARE/PRESCHOOLERS

All children are required to have their vaccinations fully completed/up to date before enrolling in preschool unless exempted as provided by law.

For more information about school immunization requirements and resources, please visit the California Department of Health website at www.shotsforschool.org or contact your local health department or county office of education.

Medical Exemptions

• Medical exemptions can only be issued through the California Immunization Registry – Medical Exemption website (CAIR-ME) by physicians licensed in California. 
• Schools and child care facilities may only accept from parents new medical exemptions that are issued using CAIR-ME.

• When the child enrolls in the next grade span (TK/K-6th grade, 7th-12th grade)
• The expiration date specified in a temporary medical exemption
• Revocation of the exemption because the issuing physician has been subject to disciplinary action from the physician’s licensing entity.

3. A doctor has told a child’s parents that their child needs a medical exemption from a required immunization. How do parents get a medical exemption for their child?  
Starting January 1, 2021, all new medical exemptions for school and child care entry must be issued through CAIR-ME.  Parents and physicians can register and create an account in CAIR-ME at any time.  Once registered, parents can log in to CAIR-ME to request a medical exemption.  Parents take the exemption request number to their child’s physician who can log in to CAIR-ME to issue the exemption.  Once the exemption is issued, the physician prints the two page form and provides a copy to the parents to give to their child’s school or child care facility.

• Digital Vaccine Record (DVR) Portal

MEDICATION

Poway Unified School District philosophy is that parents bear the primary responsibility in providing medication for their students.  Whenever possible, medication should be administered at home.  Parents have the option to personally administer medication to their child at any time during the school day.  Health assistance can be provided to support student learning and attendance.  Medication administration is provided under the direction and indirect supervision of the resource nurses in Health Services.  If a student needs medication during the school day, the following procedure must be followed, according to Ed Code:

• Complete an Authorization for Medication Administration form (H-26) for all prescriptions, over the counter, and herbal medication.  The form requires signatures by both the parent and the student’s physician.  The physician must be licensed in the state of California.
• The completed form should be given to the Health Technician at the same time as you deliver the medication.
• The medication must be in a pharmacy-labeled container stating the student’s full name, medication name, proper dosage, and time to be given.

Please check  the expiration date on all medication you provide to the school site and update this medication as needed.

• Long term medication:  Provide no more than a 1 month supply and replenish the medication as needed.
• Over-the-counter medication (i.e. Benadryl, Tylenol, or herbal medication):  Medication must be in original container clearly labeled with student’s name.  Parent and physician authorization is required.
• Sunscreen and Throat Lozenges/Cough Drops may be administered to preschool/elementary school students with parent authorization only by completing and signing the top portion of the H-26 form. A physician signature is not required.  All products must be in original packaging and labeled with the student’s name. No authorization for Sunscreen and Throat Lozenges/Cough Drops is required for Middle School or High School students. 
• Epi-pens and Epinephrine auto-injectors:  A Potential Anaphylactic Reaction form (H-58) should be completed and signed by physician and parent.  (H-26 form is not necessary)
• Asthma:  Please provide spacers for inhalers, if indicated, and review your child’s use of the inhaler with the school site Health Technician.
• ESS and Medication:  Health Technician and ESS Coordinator can communicate and share forms.  However, you must provide separate containers of medication for each location.

Note:  Poway Unified School District has a “zero tolerance” drug policy for all students.

Do not put your child at risk of receiving disciplinary action!  Don’t send your child to school with any medication unless you have followed the medication procedure.  Remember, even Tylenol or Advil are considered to be drugs.

Students may carry their own medication only if they are responsible and an Authorization to Carry Medication While at School form (H-26B) has been signed by the physician, parent, and student.

MEDICATION FORMS:

KINDERGARTEN ORAL HEALTH ASSESSMENT (KOHA)

California law requires that all children entering public school for the first time (kindergarten or first grade) are required to have a dental check-up by May 31st of their first school year.  The evaluation must be completed by a licensed dental professional.  Oral health evaluations that occurred within the 12 months prior to school entry also meet this requirement.

KINDERGARTEN ORAL HEALTH ASSESSMENT (KOHA) FORMS:

RETURN TO SCHOOL POST ILLNESS/INJURY

Click below for PE Authorization and information on eye/head injuries.

RETURN TO SCHOOL POST ILLNESS/INJURY FORMS:

SPECIALIZED PHYSICAL HEALTH CARE

Specialized Physical Health Care (SPHC) including Life Threatening Allergy Plans and Diabetic management Plans as noted above, can also include Diastat Administration, Solu-Cortef Administration, Nebulizer Breathing Treatments and other procedures that can be safely administered in the school setting.  California Education Code, Section: 49423.5 allows for specialized health care services to be performed by trained designated school staff under indirect supervision of a Credentialed School Nurse.

• All supplies/equipment and medication must be supplied by the parent/guardian
• Parent/Guardian and Physician authorization must be provided.
• Contact Health Services or your site Health Technician for the appropriate forms and assistance with this process. 
  
  

SPECIALIZED PHYSICAL HEALTH CARE FORMS:

TUBERCULOSIS (TB) CLINIC

STAFF ONLY
Make a (Zoom) TB Risk Assessment appointment with a District Nurse here

If you are unable to make an appointment, you can obtain a TB clearance from:

• Your primary health care provider
• SD Public Health Centers 
• Local pharmacies (i.e. CVS, Walgreens)