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Health Assessment and Planning
Health Screenings
Services Students with Special Health Needs
Medication Administration
Communicable Disease Control
First Aid and Emergency Care
Health Resources for Staff, Parents, and Students
Maintenance of Student Health Records
Environmental Health and Safety

What if my child needs medication during the school day?
Prescription Medication
If your child needs medication during the school day, you must (1) provide the school nurse with a written order from your health care provider, see the Parent’s Request to Administer Medication in School and (2) deliver the medication to the school in a pharmacy labeled container.  All medications are kept locked in the health suite.  If there is a medical concern that requires your child to carry emergency medications such as inhalers for asthma or an Epi-pen for severe allergies, please consult your school nurse. New written medication orders are needed each year.

Administration of Certain Nonprescription Medications
BCPS school nurses can administer certain nonprescription medications with your permission only at no charge, for all students.  Approved discretionary medications are intended for occasional use only and are given under physician directed nursing protocols for a limited number of conditions.
This service is designed to alleviate your child’ minor discomforts and to avoid early dismissals from school.  If you would like to have this service available to your child, complete the Consent for Administration of Approved Discretionary Medications and return it to the school nurse.

If your child requires nonprescription medications on a regular basis, you must obtain a written order from your health care provider and supply the medication.
      
For children with Diabetes, who have special needs regarding medications, food planning and treatment for emergencies during the school day, please refer to the Maryland State Department School Health Services website for the Maryland Statewide Diabetes Order form and the Maryland Statewide Supplemental Diabetes Order form for Insulin Pumps, if needed. If your doctor prefers, he/she may provide medical orders for your child on another form of their choice. In addition to providing the school nurse with the doctor’s orders, it is often best to meet with the school nurse to comprehensively plan for your child’s time at school.

What immunizations/shots does my child need for school entry?
Maryland law requires schools to obtain proof of immunizations in order for children to attend school.
Please refer to the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene for a complete list of immunizations required for school entry by grade. At this site, you can also obtain a copy of the Maryland DHMH Immunization Record (896 form)
Link:  www.edcp.org/html/schoolrequire.html

Parents are encouraged to call their child’s physician to make an appointment for school-required vaccines.  The Baltimore County Department of Health offers vaccines to children without insurance or with other barriers to receiving school-required vaccines.
Back-to-School Immunization Information

Does my child need a physical exam to enter school?
Maryland State law requires that students entering public schools for the first time must have a physical exam.  The physical exam must be done by a physician or nurse practitioner, 9 months before entry or 6 months after entering a Maryland Public school.  For more information and to get the Maryland State Health Inventory (Maryland Schools Record of Physical Examination)please refer to the Record of Physical Exam.

Head lice (pediculosis) is a relatively common childhood condition.  Infestation with head lice is not known to cause any human disease.  The condition can cause itching; some children can develop infections from excessive scratching. 

BCPS excludes any student with an active infestation (live bugs on the head).  Students and families are STRONGLY encouraged to remove all eggs (nits) from the hair.  In a recent research study, 18% of students with nits later developed active infestations.  (See http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/107/5/1011) 

The American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Association of School Nurses and the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene do not support excluding students with nits; they recommend schools admit students with nits but no live lice.  See   http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/pediatrics;110/3/638, and also http://www.nasn.org/Default.aspx?tabid=237 and http://www.edcp.org/guidelines/CD_Summary.pdf.

Your school nurse has information and resources to help control head lice.  For further information, see  http://www.aap.org/publiced/BR_Lice.htm.

Other Programs of School Health Services include