5141 5141Students
Student Health Services
School District Medical Advisor/School Nurse
The Board of Education shall appoint a school district medical advisor and appropriate medical support service personnel, including nurses.
School health efforts shall be directed toward detection and prevention of health problems and to emergency treatment, including the following student health services:
1. Provide preventive services, education, emergency care, referral and management of acute and chronic health conditions. Designed to prevent health problems, promote health, assess health status, provide emergency care, ensure access to health care, and identify and manage barriers to student learning.
2. Provide a healthy school environment that is a safe physical and psychological environment supportive of learning.
3. Provide family and community involvement, including partnership among schools, families, community groups and individuals. Designed to share and maximize resources and expertise in addressing the healthy development of children and families.
Health Records
There shall be a cumulative health record for each student enrolled in the school district which will be maintained in the school health office. For the purposes of confidentiality, records will be treated in the same manner as the student's cumulative academic record.
Student health records are covered by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) are exempt from the Health lnsurance Portability Accountability Act (HIPAA) privacy rule. However, it is recognized that obtaining medical information from health care providers will require schools to have proper authorization and to inform parents that such information, once released by health care providers is no longer protected under HIPAA but is covered by FERPA.
Regular Health Assessments
Prior to enrollment in pre-k: special education, and kindergarten and prior to entering grades seven and ten, each student shall have a health assessment by a legally qualified practitioner of medicine, an advanced practice registered nurse, a physician assistant or the school medical advisor, herein referred to as health care provider to ascertain whether the student has any physical disability or other health problem which could be a barrier to learning.
Such health assessment shall include:
1. Physical examination which shall include hematocrit or hemoglobin tests, height, weight, and blood pressure;
2. Updating of immunizations required under lQ-204 and lQ-204a;
3. Vision, hearing, postural, and gross dental screenings;
4. If required by the school district medical advisor, testing for tuberculosis; sickle cell anemia or Cooley's anemia and
5. any other information including a health history as the physician believes to be necessary and appropriate.
A student will not be allowed to begin or continue in district schools unless health assessments are performed as required. Students transferring into the district must provide evidence of required Connecticut immunizations and health assessments prior to school attendance which have been performed by a legally qualified practitioner of medicine, an advanced practice registered nurse, a physician assistant or the school medical advisor licensed to practice in the United States.
The Board of Education shall provide for health assessments, without charge, to all students whose parents or guardians meet the eligibility requirements for free and reduced price meals under the National School Lunch Program or for free milk under the special milk program. To meet its obligations pursuant to this section, the Board may utilize the school medical advisor or existing community resources.
Health assessment results and recommendations signed by the health care provider shall be recorded on blue forms provided by the Connecticut State Board of Education (Dept. of Education Form: Health Assessment Record [HAR-3] rev. 2/00) and kept on file in the school the student attends. Upon written authorization from the student's parent or guardian, original cumulative health records shall be sent to the chief administrative officer of the school district to which such student moves and a true copy of the student's cumulative health records maintained with the student's academic records. The Superintendent or designee shall notify parents of any health-related problems detected in health assessments and shall make reasonable efforts to assure that further testing and treatment is provided including advice on obtaining such required testing or treatment.
Students who are in violation of Board requirements for health assessments and immunizations will be excluded from school after appropriate parental notice and warning.
The Board of Education shall annually designate a representative to receive reports of health assessments from health care providers.
Vision Screening
All students in kindergarten, grade one and grades three through five will be screened using a Snellen chart, or equivalent screening, by the school nurse or school health aide. Vision screenings performed by a student's health care provider, as part of the mandated health assessment in Kindergarten may be accepted in lieu of school screening. Additional vision screenings will also be conducted in response to appropriate requests from parents/guardians or professionals working with the student in question. Results will be recorded in the student's health record on forms supplied by the Connecticut State Board of Education, and the Superintendent's designee shall cause a written notice to be given to the parent or guardian of each student found to have any defect of vision or disease of the eyes, with a brief statement describing such defect or disease.
As necessary, special educational provisions shall be made for students with handicapping conditions.
Hearing Screening
All students will be screened for possible hearing impairments in kindergarten, grade one and grades three through five. Audiometric screenings performed by a student's health care provider, as part of the mandated health assessment in kindergarten may be accepted in lieu of school screening. Additional audiometric screenings will be conducted in response to appropriate requests from parents/guardians or professionals working with the student. Results will be recorded in the student's health record on forms supplied by the Connecticut State Board of Education, and the Superintendent shall cause a written notice to be given to the parent or guardian of each student found to have any defect of hearing, with a brief statement describing such defect.
As necessary, special educational provisions shall be made for students with handicapping conditions.
Postural Screening
School nurses will screen all female students in grades five and seven for scoliosis or other postural problems. School nurses will screen all male students in grade eight for scoliosis or other postural problems. Scoliosis screenings performed by a student's health care provider may be accepted in lieu of school screening. Additional postural screenings will also be conducted in response to appropriate requests from parents/guardians or professionals working with the student.
Results will be recorded in the student's health record on forms supplied by the Connecticut State Board of Education, and the Superintendent shall cause a written notice to be given to the parent or guardian of each student found to have any postural impairment or problem, with a brief statement describing such impairment or disease.
As necessary, special educational provisions shall be made for students with handicapping conditions.
Tuberculin Testing
TB screening (PPD) will be required as determined by the child's health care provider and noted on the HAR-3 form or will be required for children who are at increased risk of acquiring Tuberculosis infection and disease. Students entering from outside the United States will be required to have a new tuberculin test (PPD) and results reported prior to entry into Seymour Public Schools.
Immunizations/Vaccinations
No student will be allowed to enter district schools without adequate immunization against the following diseases:
1. Measles
2. Rubella
3. Poliomyelitis
4. Diphtheria
5. Tetanus
6. Pertussis
7. Mumps
8. Hemophilus influenza type B
9. Any other vaccine required by Section 19a-7fof Connecticut General Statutes.
10. Hepatitis B
11. Varicella (chickenpox)
Before entering the seventh grade, each child shall show proof of having received 2 doses of measles containing vaccine or serologic evidence of infection with measles.
Students entering the eighth grade must show proof of three doses of Hepatitis B vaccine or serologic evidence of infection.
Diptheria, Pertussis, Tetanus and Polio (OPV/IPV): One dose must be administered on or after the child's 4th birthday and before entry into kindergarten.
Hepatitis B (Hep B): One dose before entry into seventh grade with the 3-dose series completed before entry into eighth grade.
Varicella: For those born after 1/1/97 or before entry into seventh grade documentation of age appropriate immunization, or serologic evidence of past infection confirmed in writing by a certified laboratory, or a statement signed and dated by a physician, physician assistant, or advanced practice registered nurse indicating that the child has already had chickenpox based on family and/or medical history.
Any other vaccine required by Section 19a-7fof Connecticut General Statutes.
Students shall be exempt from the appropriate provisions of this policy when:
1. they present a certificate from their health care provider or local health agency stating that initial immunizations have been given and additional immunizations are in process under guidelines and schedules specified by the Commissioner of Health Services; or
2. they present a certificate from their health care provider stating that in the opinion of such provider, immunization is medically contraindicated because of the physical condition of such student (this must be updated yearly); or
3. they present a statement from their parents or guardians that such immunization would be contrary to the religious beliefs of such student; or,
4. they present, in the case of Measles, Mumps, Rubella or Varicella, a certificate from a physician, physician assistant or advanced practice registered nurse stating that the student has had a confirmed case of such disease or serologic evidence of past infection confirmed in writing by a certified laboratory.
The school nurse coordinator, working with the school medical advisor, will report to the local Director of Health any outbreak of State of Connecticut defined reportable communicable diseases.
Interscholastic Sports Programs/Health Assessments
Any student participating in an interscholastic or intramural sports program must have a health assessment, within one year prior to the first try out session for the sport or sports. After the initial examination, repeat examinations are required annually. Each participant in a sport program must complete a health history and consent form before participating in each sport. Health assessment results shall be recorded on sports forms provided by the Board of Education, in accordance with the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC) regulations, signed by a legally qualified practitioner of medicine, an advanced practice registered nurse, physician assistant, or school medical advisor, filed in the students health folder, and maintained up to date by the school nurse.
Coaches and physical education staff shall assist in appropriate monitoring of an athlete's physical condition and report any serious concerns to the school nurse.
Student Medical Care at School
School personnel are responsible for the immediate care necessary for a student whose sickness or injury occurs on the school premises during school hours or in school-sponsored and supervised activities. Schools shall maintain files of emergency information for each student. If a student's injury requires immediate care, the parent or guardian will be called by telephone by the nurse, the building Principal or other personnel designated by the Principal, and advised of the student's condition. When immediate medical or dental attention is indicated, and when parents or guardians cannot be reached, the student will be transported, via 911, to an emergency care facility unless otherwise indicated in the student's emergency information data. In this event, the student's health care provider/dentist and the school district medical advisor will be notified of school district actions.
(cf. 5142 Student Safety)
(cf. 5141.4 Child Abuse and Neglect)
(cf. 5141.5 Suicide Prevention)
(cf. 6142.1 Family Life and Sex Education)
(cf. 6145.2 Interscholastic/Intramural Athletics)
(cf. 6171 Special Education)
Legal Reference: Connecticut General Statutes
10-203 Sanitation
10-204 Vaccination
10-204a Required immunizations
10-204c Immunity from liability
10-205 Appointment of school medical advisors
10-206 Health assessments
10-206a Free health assessments
10-207 Duties of medical advisers
10-208 Exemption from examination or treatment
10-208a Physical activity of student restricted; boards to honor notice
10-209 Records not to be public
10-210 Notice of disease to be given parent or guardian
10-212 School nurses and nurse practitioners
10-212a Administration of medicines by school personnel
10-213 Dental hygienists
10-214 Vision, audiometric and postural screening: When required; notification of parents re defects; record of results. (As amended by PA 96-229 An Act Concerning Scoliosis Screening)
10-214a Eye protective devices
10-214b Compliance report by local or regional board of education
10-217a Health services for children in private nonprofit schools. Payments from the state, towns in which children reside and private nonprofit schools.
Federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act or 1974
42 U.S.C. 1320d-1320d-8, P.L. 104-191, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA)
Policy adopted: July 12, 2003
Policy revised: July 6, 2015
Policy Revision Adopted: August 17, 2015
Seymour Public Schools
Seymour, Connecticut