Health Services Information

STUDENT HEALTH SERVICES

CONTROL AND MANAGEMENT OF COMMUNICABLE DISEASES

It is important to preserve the health of students and staff members by preventing transmission of communicable diseases. Identification and control of communicable diseases in the school setting are multi-disciplinary responsibilities.

Each particular disease, depending on the nature of transmission and the severity of risk and illness, dictates the course of action taken.

SCHOOL ENTRANCE PHYSICAL ASSESSMENT

An entrance physical assessment identifies physical, mental, and emotional health problems that may interfere with optimal learning. See current version of Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) Regulation 2101, Physical Examinations, Immunizations of Students, and Tuberculosis Screening Requirements.

IMMUNIZATIONS

To ensure that vaccine-preventable diseases do not interfere with learning, before attending FCPS, all students, including preschool, FECEP/Head Start, and summer school, must provide proof of immunizations against communicable disease as outlined in the current version of FCPS Regulation 2101, Physical Examinations, Immunizations of Students, and Tuberculosis Screening Requirements. The principal will exclude those students who have not complied with the required immunizations.

HEALTH ASSESSMENT AND HEALTH INFORMATION FORM

To assess student health status annually in order to develop health plans as needed, at the start of each school year or when a new student is enrolled into FCPS, the parent or guardian provides the school with information about any health condition that may impact the student in the school setting. The parent or guardian should also share information when a health condition changes. Download Health Information form. If needed, a school health care plan may be developed by the school public health nurse as a preventive or responsive measure to a specific student health need. Download: Parents’ and Guardians’ Guide on Student Health Care Plans

SCREENING

Vision, hearing, speech, and fine and gross motor screenings provide for early identification of students with disabling conditions. Additionally, the public health nurse can do individual health screenings such as height, weight, blood pressure, and scoliosis as requested by parents or guardians or school staff members. Download: scoliosis fact sheet for parents or guardians

MEDICATIONS

Although medication should be taken at home whenever possible, there are cases in which medication must be taken during school hours in order to meet student health needs. Students who require medication during the school day must comply with FCPS Regulation 2102, First Aid, Emergency Treatment, Health Plans, and Administration of Medication for Students.

CARE OF SICK AND INJURED

Temporary care is provided to sick and injured students and staff members. Guidelines for care are based on those developed jointly by the Virginia Department of Education and the Virginia Department of Health. Teachers, administrators, clerical staff members, and/or clinic room aides provide first responder care; thus, care is limited in scope and nature and is provided only until the parent or guardian can assume the responsibility. See current version of FCPS Regulation 2102, First Aid, Emergency Treatment, Health Plans, and Administration of Medication for Students.

STUDENTS WITH INDIVIDUAL HEALTH NEEDS

In order to provide the least restrictive learning environment for students with individual health needs in a medically safe setting with an educationally sound program, specific health care procedures prescribed by a physician to be provided during school hours are reviewed and approved for the school setting as long as they can be safely provided by FCPS staff members. The Specific Health Care Procedures Authorization form should be completed by the parent or guardian and physician. Some students may be eligible for provisions under Section 504 of the rehabilitation Act of 1973. See current version of FCPS Regulation 1454, Declaration of Nondiscrimination--Students with Disabilities, and current version of FCPS Regulation 2104, Health Services-School Health Related Needs.

RECORDING AND REPORTING FOR CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES ISSUES

To preserve the safety and well being of students by reporting suspicions of child abuse or neglect to the appropriate protective services division for further evaluation, any teacher, school staff member, or public health nurse who has reason to suspect that a student is a victim of child abuse or neglect is obligated to report those suspicions. See current version of FCPS Regulation 2115, Procedures for Reporting Cases of Suspected Child Abuse.