Health Services

Nurse's Office

Below please find some useful information from the Health Office and forms that we use throughout the year

Guidelines for Keeping Sick Children Home from School   

• Conjunctivitis. Following a diagnosis of conjunctivitis, the child may return to school 24 hours after the first dose of prescribed medication.   

• Colds. Some of the symptoms of colds are nasal congestion and cough. A continuous green discharge from the nose may be a sign of infection. Consider having the child seen by your health care provider.

• A sick child cannot learn effectively and is unable to participate in classes in a meaningful way. Keeping a sick child home prevents the spread of illness in the school community and allows the child opportunity to rest and recover.

• The State Department of Education tracks many health problems, so it is important to state specifically why your child is absent and please advise our school nurse.  Illness reasons are listed below:    

  • Pink Eye  

  • Gastro-Intestinal (Stomach upset, flu, diarrhea)   

  • Excused Absence (Symptoms that are not contagious: headache, vacation, personal)     

  • Upper Respiratory (Cold, sore throat, bronchitis, congestion, strep throat, etc.)

  • Chicken Pox

  • Head Lice: Before returning to school, parent must provide proof of treatment and see the nurse for a recheck before returning to class.

  • Rashes. Common infectious diseases with rashes are most contagious in the early stages. A child with a suspicious rash should return to school only after a health care provider has made a diagnosis and authorized the child’s return to school.

  • Fever. The child should remain at home with a fever greater than 100°. The child can return to school after he/she has been fever free for 24 hours (without fever- reducing medicine such as Tylenol or Motrin).

  • Diarrhea/Vomiting. A child with diarrhea and /or vomiting should stay at home and return to school only after being symptom-free for 24 hours. Please help your student understand what counts as diarrhea, this is an important health lesson.

• Reporting your child's illness: Please call (602) 449-6303.

Medication Requirements 

Here are just a few reminders about medication for your child at school.

The health office needs your permission to dispense medication to your child. Medication forms are available in the health office, front desk or on-line and must be completed when dropping off any medication for your child. In accordance with district policy, hand-written notes are not acceptable. All over the counter medication must be dispensed through the health office (this does include cough drops). Cough drops are considered an over the counter medication, they need to be stored in the health office.  We must have signed permission to give them out. To ensure that medication has not expired and the dosage is correct, all medication needs to be in the original container. Doctor Prescribed Medication must be in original container with the prescription label that includes the patient's name intact. 

If it is necessary for a child to take medication during school hours, the following requirements must be met:  

• Prescription medication must be in the original container with a current prescription label    

• There must be a current medication form on file in the Health office with a signature of parent/guardian to administer medication to the child. Dosage, time, dates to be given and name of medication must be stated.

• A separate medication form needs to be completed for each medication.   

• It is recommended that liquid medicines that require refrigeration be left in the Health Office during the dates to be dispensed. Ask your pharmacist for a second container to be kept at school. 

• Medications brought to school and not meeting necessary requirements will not be dispensed by the nurse and will be returned to the parent until proper paperwork is completed.

• If medication needs to be given during a field trip, please provide the nurse with an extra labeled pharmacy bottle. 

  • Medications are expected to be brought to school by the parent / guardian, not the child.

  • Over-the-counter medication must be in the original container. Appropriate dosage as stated on the label will be dispensed. 

  • Students may not keep medication with them. There are limited exceptions, please see the nurse to see if your child’s medication qualifies.  

Health Screening

Age/grade level appropriate and program specific health screenings of students (height, weight, vision, hearing, scoliosis) are performed each year. You will be notified should the nurse detect a possible problem.

Immunizations

Arizona State Law ARS 15-872 states that children must have documentary proof of immunization on file at school. It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to furnish the school with the month and year of each immunization for your child. If your child is missing or delinquent in receiving the required immunizations, your child May Be Excluded From School until the needed immunizations are received and documented proof is presented to the school nurse.  

6th Grade and Parents of 11-year old students: Please remember that the State of Arizona requires immunizations at age 11. Once these immunizations have been received, please bring proof of administration to the Nurse's Office.

Thank you!

School Nurse
Sandpiper Elementary School
6724 E. Hearn Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85254
(602) 449-6303