Health Services
Health Office Staff
Alma Hayes RN, School Nurse ahayes@durhamunified.org
Jean Campbell, Health Aide jcampbell@durhamunified.org
Health Office: 530-895-4697 ext 224
Fax: 530-895-4665
The main health office is located at Durham Elementary School. The district employs a part-time school nurse and full-time health aide to provide health services to students at all school sites. If your child is unwell during the school day we endeavor to contact you, or your listed emergency contact. It is important that you keep all contact telephone numbers current by calling the school secretary with changes so we can inform you as soon as possible if your child is unwell or has an accident.
If your child has special medical needs or you have concerns about your child’s health call the school nurse. A plan of care can be developed in conjunction with you, and if necessary your child’s doctor, to ensure that appropriate care is given at school.
Immunization Requirements
Each student must have received all immunizations required by the state of California at the time of school registration to qualify for school enrollment. The district is legally responsible for maintaining records to ensure that all students have met these requirements. The school nurse or health aide will communicate any immunization needs to you upon your child’s enrollment.
The district participates in the Immunization Registry of Northern California which provides secure on-line access to immunization records. If your pediatrician/physician is also a participant and you have signed an agreement to share this information we can quickly access your child’s immunization records. If you have not signed a release of records at your pediatrician’s office you will need to bring copies of the immunization record to school.
If your child lacks immunizations to enter school they may be obtained (on an appointment basis) at the Butte County Health Department, 2445 Carmichael Drive, Chico (879-3665), or from your physician.
Immunization
Exemptions - Medical & Personal
There are two types of exemptions allowed by the California School Immunization Law. (1) Your child may be exempt because of a medical condition. If so, you must present a statement signed by your doctor stating the medical problem, which immunizations your child cannot receive, and if the medical problem is temporary of permanent. (2) If immunizations are against your religious/personal belief you must sign a statement to this effect at school. If your child is exempt and there is a disease outbreak the school may be ordered by the health department to temporarily exclude your child for his/her protection.
Medications at School
The school district recognizes that students may need to take prescribed medication during the school day in order to be able to attend school without jeopardizing their health. The goal is to ensure that medication is safely administered to students within the requirements of state law.
1. If
your child has to take medicine while at school the district must receive a
written authorization form signed by you AND the child’s health care provider stating the name of the medication,
method, amount, and time schedule of the medication (EC Section 49423). A
Durham Unified School District Medication Authorization form can be printed from this
website, or stop at the health office to obtain one. Written
authorization is required for both prescription AND over-the-counter mediations
such as Tylenol. Faxed Medication Authorization forms can be accepted
from a doctor’s office. Please call us and we will assist you in getting the
form completed.
2. State law allows students to carry and self-administer an asthma inhaler or emergency epinephrine (Epipen or Twinject) medication if the student’s parent and the health care provider give written permission. If your child needs to carry an asthma inhaler discuss this with your doctor and have him/her complete the Medication Authorization form with the box checked for “Self Administration of Medication”. Please take into consideration your child’s age and ability when requesting that they self administer asthma medication. Young children may need assistance to use their inhaler effectively.
3. As parent/guardian you must supply the school with all medicine your child must take during the school day. You or another adult must deliver the medicine to school, (except medicine your child is authorized to carry).
4. Each medicine must be in a separate container labeled by a pharmacist (for prescription medication) or the original bottle for over-the-counter medicine.
5. Pick up all discontinued, outdated or unused medicine before the end of the school year.
For information on student rights related to medication administration assistance visit the California Dept of Education web site at http://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/se/fp/
Emergency Treatment for
Anaphylaxis
California Education Code 49414
authorizes school districts to provide epinephrine auto-injectors to trained
personnel to use to provide emergency medical aid to persons suffering from an
anaphylactic reaction. Anaphylaxis is a rapid, severe allergic response
triggered by insect stings, foods, medications, latex materials, exercise, or
in rare cases by unknown causes. This is a life-threatening allergic condition
requiring immediate treatment. Administering epinephrine to students during a
medical emergency may help to insure the student’s health and safety at school.
Therefore, the school board has adopted a policy for calling 911 and giving
life-saving epinephrine to students in need of such treatment.
This policy states that a
credentialed, licensed school nurse or trained, unlicensed school staff, under
the supervision of the school nurse, may administer epinephrine in the form of
an Epipen during a severe,
life-threatening allergic reaction. The Epipen rapidly delivers a pre-measured, sterile, single
dose of epinephrine by direct injection through the skin. If parents/guardians
do not wish their child to receive this treatment in the event of a sudden
anaphylactic reaction, they must so indicate in writing to the school nurse
within two weeks of the beginning of school. For further information on the
district policy and procedure contact Alma Hayes.
School Entry Requirements for Kindergarten
Immunization
Requirements
See above
Oral
Health (Dental) Assessment Requirement
As of January
2007, California law, (Education Code Section 49452.8) now requires that a
child entering kindergarten (or 1st grade if they did not attend
kindergarten) have an oral health assessment by May 31 of their kindergarten
school year. The law specifies that the assessment must be performed by a
licensed dentist or other licensed or registered dental health professional.
Oral health assessments that have happened within the 12 months before your
child enters school also meet this requirement. The Oral Health Assessment form can be printed from this website,
or contact the school health office.
School Entry Requirement for 1st Grade
CHDP (1st
Grade Physical) Requirement
To protect the health of children California law requires a health examination is completed sometime during the 18 months prior to entering first grade. This requirement is often referred to as the CHDP physical (Child Health & Disability Prevention). Obtaining a physical examination before entering kindergarten, when immunization boosters are needed, provides an opportunity to take care of both requirements at the same time. The CHDP program at the local health dept provides free medical examinations to lower income families. The CHDP form can be printed from this website or contact the school health office to obtain the form.
Communicable Disease Control
As required by the Education Code, whenever there is good reason to believe that a student is suffering from a recognized contagious or infectious disease, the student shall be sent home and shall not be permitted to return until the school authorities are satisfied that the condition does not exist.
Head Lice
The district head lice policy reflects current best practice and recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics, Harvard School of Public Health, National Association of School Nurses, California School Nurses Association and the Division of Communicable Disease Control, California Department of Health Services. These experts agree that although having head lice can be stressful for a family they are not a health hazard and are not responsible for the spread of any disease. Most head lice infestations occur in school-age children; estimates of the incidence are more than 6 million Americans per year.
The district head lice policy emphasizes identifying head lice cases that are referred to the health office, educating parents on how to treat head lice, and rechecking a student who was treated for head lice at weekly intervals to ensure that the treatment was effective. A note alerting parents in a classroom where head lice were identified is sent out to heighten awareness and encourage parents to do a thorough head check as head lice are very difficult to see due to their small size and can be missed when a classroom screenings is done.
Click here for the district’s Guide for Parents – Facts on Head Lice
The following websites provide more information on head lice and the treatment.
California Department of Public Health http://www.dhs.ca.gov/ps/dcdc/disb/pdf/SBF D246 HeadLice.pdf
Harvard School of Public Health www.hsph.harvard.edu/headlice.html
American Academy Pediatrics http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/pediatrics;110/3/638
MRSA Skin Infections
The media has recently focused on the spread of skin infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphyloccus aureus (MRSA) especially among school children. MRSA is Staphylococcus aureus that is resistant to all penicillins. Most skin infections, regardless of cause, can be easily treated if identified in a timely manner.
To obtain more information on
MRSA and how to prevent infections click on Parent Flyerfrom DHS
Health Screenings
As required by the Education Code, health screening for vision, hearing, and scoliosis are provided for students. The screenings are conducted in accord with the standards established by the State Department of Education and are under the supervision of the school nurse. Please notify the school nurse in writing if you do not wish to consent to screening examinations of your child.