Many students and parents are frequently concerned about when students should stay home from or attend school. The following information is intended to help with this decision.

AS A GENERAL GUIDELINE:

• If the student has had a fever of 100° or more, the student should stay home for 24 hours after the temperature returns to normal, without fever-reducing medication.

• If the student has vomited or had diarrhea, the student should stay home until 24 hours after the last episode.

• If the student has a rash that may be disease-related, or if you do not know the cause of the rash, check with your family physician before sending the student to school.

• If the student is ill, please call the school daily to report the illness.

If you have any questions about the above information or about an illness, please call your school nurse or your family physician.

Please advise the main office and your child’s school nurse if your child has been diagnosed with a contagious illness which requires exclusion from school, i.e., strep throat, chicken pox, impetigo, pink eye, ringworm, head lice, etc. It is also helpful for the school nurse to know when a child has been hospitalized and/or has had surgery, in the event a plan needs to be developed for re-entry into school. This might include a plan for medication or a plan for limited or restricted activity.

• The medication permission form is part of the care plan and must be signed by the parent and physician.

• Medication forms must be received annually.

• Medication containers must be labeled by the pharmacy with the medication name, does, and physician's name.

• Prescription medications must be brought in the original container with proper identification (no baggies will be accepted).

• Students or parents should bring prescription medication to the Health Services office.

• Prescription medication will be kept in health office.

Download Permission To Give Medication At School PDF
This form should be used when a student needs to take medication during the school day. It includes medication information provided by your child's healthcare provider as well as a parent signature which gives us permission to give the medication in school.

• Nonprescription medications are to come to school in their original, unopened container (sample sized are recommended).

• Nonprescription medications sent to school in a plastic bag and/or mixed with other medications will be returned.

• Nonprescription medications can only be given according to manufacturer's instructions.

• Inappropriate age or dose will not be given without a physician's order.

• Parents or guardians must complete the nonprescription medication form with the name of the medication, dosage requirements, and student's name.

• The Health Services Office does not stock or dispense any nonprescription medications that have not come from home with appropriate documentation.

• These medications are utilized on an as needed basis

• Nonprescription medications will be kept in the Health Services office

Download Permission to Give Non-Prescription Medication at School PDF

According to Minnesota Statute (2005), a secondary ** student may possess and use non-prescription pain relief in a manner consistent with the labeling if the district has written parental or guardian authorization.

The parent or guardian must submit written authorization for the student to self-administer the medication each school year. The parents must instruct their child on the proper use and administration of the medication. The parent must send the medication to school in its original bottle/container. The student must also agree to the responsibilities associated with self-carry and self-administration of medication.

The FDA states there are two categories of over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers/fever reducers: acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Acetaminophen – Tylenol products
NSAIDs – Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil products)
Naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve)

It is important that students are not taking medications with aspirin as research has established a link between Reye’s Syndrome and other salicylate containing medications.

The school district may revoke a student’s privilege to possess and use non-prescription pain relievers if the school district determines that the student is abusing the privilege.

**Please note that this procedure applies to Middle and High School students only.

Download Authorization To Self-Carry/Administer Pain Relief Medications PDF
This form can be used for secondary (Junior and Senior High) students to self-carry and self-administer non-prescription pain relief medication, i.e. Tylenol, Advil, Aleve products.

In order to enroll or remain enrolled in any elementary or secondary school in Minnesota, the parent/guardian of a student must have a statement on file with the school administrator or other person having general control and supervision of the school that shows that the student is either:

• Immunized against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis B, and varicella, OR

• Immunized against measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella and has begun, but not yet completed, immunizations against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, and/or polio, and/or hepatitis B, as verified by a provider or clinic, OR

• Legally exempt from one or more of the required immunizations, as evidenced by either a statement of medical exemption signed by a provider, a notarized statement of conscientious exemption, or, in the case of varicella disease, provider-documented history of varicella disease.

• Immunization Exemption Form (English)

• Immunization Exemption Form (Spanish)

• Permission to Give Non-Prescription Medication at School PDF

• Download Authorization To Self-Carry/Administer Pain Relief Medications PDF
  This form can be used for Middle/High School students to self-carry and self-administer non-prescription pain relief medication, i.e. Tylenol, Advil, Aleve products.

• Permission To Give Medication At School PDF
  This form should be used when a student needs to take medication during the school day. It includes medication information provided by your child's healthcare provider as well as a parent signature which gives us permission to give the medication in school.

• Food Allergy Action Plan PDF
  The Food Allergy Action Plan should be completed by your child's healthcare provider. This can also serve as a doctor's order for allergic/anaphylactic related medication, i.e., epipen, antihistamines.

• Asthma Action Plan PDF
  The Asthma Action Plan should be completed by your child's health care provider. This can also serve as a doctor's order for asthma-related medication, i.e., inhaler, nebulizer.

• Spanish Asthma Action Plan PDF
  El Plan de Accion del Asma puede ser completado por su proveedor de cuidado de salud. Esto tambien puede servir como una orden del doctor para medicamento relacionado con asthma, inhalador, nebulizador.

• Immunization Law PDF

• Immunization Exemption Form (English)

• Immunization Exemption Form (Spanish)