Nursing Services

In an effort to help protect well children and staff from unnecessary exposure to contagious or infectious diseases, South Carolina requires that children and staff with certain diseases and conditions stay home from school or childcare while contagious.

If your child feels too sick to go to school or has an illness that can be spread to others, please keep them home from school/childcare and call your health care provider. Consider the following:

• Does your child’s illness prevent comfortably taking part in activities?

• Does your child need more care than the staff can give without affecting the health and safety of other children or staff?

• Could other people get sick from being near your child?

• If your child has an oral temperature above 100.4 please stay home from work and school. Do not medicate with fever reducing medicine and go to school.

• If your child has had more than one episode of vomiting or diarrhea, please keep them home.

Health Services

CCSD has full time nurses at all school locations. In the absence of the nurse, staff members who have been trained and documented may administer routine medications, emergency medications, and provide minor first aid according to physicians' orders and district policy. Any special accommodations or treatments will require a signed physician order from. If your child's medical status or contact information changes, it is imperative for you to notify the school nurse immediately and provide the proper documentation. This will ensure safety when providing care for the student at school. All forms can be retrieved from the school nurse as well as in the "Documents" tab above.

School Illnesses

School nurses refer to the School Exclusion List (updated annually) provided by The Department of Health when treating illnesses or excluding students from school.  The School Exclusion List explains how long ill children and staff should stay out of school/work/childcare and what is needed to be permitted to return.  Please contact the school nurse with questions or refer to the Department of Health's website.

Contacting Parents

Students who come to the health room are assessed and returned to class as soon as possible if no abnormalities are found. Students are encouraged to remain in school unless sick or injured. Students are excluded per the DHEC Exclusion List. Also, as a courtesy, school nurses may notify a parent if your child visits the health room, but unless her assessment reveals that it is an emergency, or your child is ill, this is not a requirement. It is very important to report to your school nurse any illnesses or medical conditions your child has that may require medical support during the school day. If your child experiences an emergency or needs immediate care that cannot be provided at school and a parent cannot be reached, emergency contacts will be notified in your absence.

Medication Policy

Chesterfield County School District requires a permission form for the administration of all prescription and non-prescription medications. Completed forms must be updated and renewed yearly. All medications must be delivered to the school nurse or other designated school employee by the student's parent, legal guardian or another designated adult over the age of 18. (Do not send with child) All medications, except those for students who have proper written orders to keep medications with them, will be maintained in the health room. CCSD has the authority to reject certain medication requests to be given at school. At the end of each school year, arrangements should be made with the school nurse to pick up unused medications. If the medications are not picked up, they will be destroyed per CCSD policy.

Prescription Medications

· Students requiring prescription medications at school will require both parental and physician orders/authorization.

· All medications will be provided by the parent/guardian and administered as prescribed by the physician.

· Medications can only be given at the time prescribed by the doctor for school use.

· If your child forgets to take a morning dose of medication at home, school nurses cannot administer that dose at school.

· However, parents will be allowed to come to the health room to give the missed dose of medication.

· Students starting new medications that have never been taken before should receive the first dose at home.

· Prescription medications must be in the original container and labeled by the pharmacist.

· Only a 30-day supply of medications will be allowed at the school.

Over the Counter Medications

· Over the counter medications must have signed parental consent.

· Medications must be brought in the original unopened labeled container with the student's name clearly identifiable on the outside.

· The medication will be administered per the manufacturer’s label instructions only.

· CCSD does not provide stock over-the-counter medications and will not administer them unless brought in by a parent/guardian.

· The medication must be accompanied by CCSD Non-Prescription Medication form and signed by the parent/guardian.

· Student starting new medications that have never been taken before should receive the first dose at home.

Self-Medicate / Self-Monitor

· Students with the required self-medicate/self-monitor physician orders will be allowed to keep their medications with them per district policy.

· The student must be able to demonstrate proper use and safety of the medication.

· If there is evidence that student who self-monitor or self-medicate could possibly cause injury to themselves or others, the school district may refuse to allow the student to self-carry his/her medication.

Please do not hesitate to reach out to your school's nurse if you have any questions or concerns. Our goal is to keep your child safe and healthy.