The majority of decisions related to health services in the school require a combination of both administrative judgment and clinical judgment. An interdisciplinary school health team promotes joint planning, problem solving, and sound decision-making. The team membership may vary according to the issues of the school and/or a specific student on the team agenda, but should include the principal or designee, the public health nurse, guidance staff, and others as appropriate.

ELEMENTS OF THE SCHOOL HEALTH PROGRAM

A coordinated school health program has eight elements, touching all aspects of the school experience and having potential to have a significant impact on students' health knowledge, attitudes, and values. Leadership for each of these elements is provided by several departments within the school system and by the health department. The health department acts in a consultant role to support the services provided by the divisions within the schools.

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. The Health Information form can be found at: http://www.fcps.edu/DIT/forms/se71.pdf . 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. A Parents’ and Guardians’ Guide on Student Health Care Plans is available at http://www.fcps.edu/ss/StudentServices/StudentRegistration/healthinfo/student-health-care-plans.pdf

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.  A scoliosis fact sheet for parents or guardians is available at: http://www.fcps.edu/ss/StudentServices/StudentRegistration/scoliosis_factsheet.pdf. 
 

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 is available at http://www.fcps.edu/DIT/forms/se180.pdf and 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.

STUDENTS WITH FOOD ALLERGIES
To provide a safe educational environment for a student with severe food allergies, schools, parents/guardians, physicians, and the student must work together. The school public health nurse will work with the family and physician to develop an Individual Health Care Plan (IHCP) for the student. Annual training is required for school staff. Parents or guardians enrolling a student with severe allergies should contact the school principal as early as possible so that a safe plan can be instituted.

The following links provide information regarding FCPS policies and procedures, as well as additional resources.