Why do you require a doctor’s note for an over the counter medication?
The registered nurses of the district are practicing according to the Missouri Nurse Practice Act, and as a requirement may only give medications when ordered by a physician.

Can my child carry his medication in his backpack?
Per state law, any child may carry and administer emergency, life saving medications.  This typically includes albuterol inhalers (for asthmatics) and epinephrine auto injectors (for severe allergic reactions).  At the elementary level, we encourage students to leave theses medications with the nurse, or have them strategically located throughout the building.  As students mature, we do encourage them to begin to carry their medication.  Please check with your school nurse for requirements to do so.

High school students may also carry medications such as ibuprofen, but again, we require proper paperwork in place to allow this.  Students may not carry any controlled substances.

Why do you need my child’s immunization record?
Per state law, public schools are required to collect and report immunization data on all students.  This law also requires that if we have no immunization data on file, we exclude the student until records are produced or immunizations have been given.

Why do you need a physical for my student?
We require a physical at initial enrollment and again upon entry to 6th grade for all students.  Our physical education program involves activity for the students and a physical is our way of assuring students are able to participate in such activities, as well as recess for our elementary students.  Routine adolescent immunizations may also be required for continued school attendance, hence the physical requirement at the 6th grade level.

How sick is too sick for school?
While we encourage students to attend school whenever possible, we do realize that at times, we all get sick.  To reduce the spread of illness in our schools, we require students who are experience vomiting or diarrhea to stay home.  We also expect any student with a fever of 100 or higher to stay home until they have been fever-free for 24 hours or more, without the use of medication to reduce the fever.  Any unknown rashes are also a reason to stay home and consult your physician.  A student with a typical cold may come to school, although we encourage you to reinforce good hand washing and respiratory etiquette. 

Can my child bring cough drops to soothe a cough?
Cough drops contain an “active ingredient” and therefore are considered an over the counter medication.  Parent permission and physician orders must be on file for students to be allowed this medication.