Health Services
Measles Information - Is your child up to date on their MMR vaccine?
The Minnesota Department of Health announced a Metro-area Measles Outbreak, urging families of children to complete the MMR vaccine series for children 12 months and older. As of September 11, 2024 there are 49 cases of measles in Minnesota. The outbreak began in May 2024. It is primarily affecting unvaccinated children in the Twin Cities metro area. However, anyone who is not up to date on their measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is at risk of getting measles.
Healthy students are successful students
Our school staff provide a variety of services that support a healthy learning community. We are committed to providing students with health conditions access to their education by facilitating their independence and creating a community of support by working collaboratively with the student, their family and district staff. School nurses promote optimal student health for optimal learning.
Establish healthy habits early to ensure your child’s success
Instilling healthy habits and routines (adequate sleep/nutrition) and consistent attendance ensures a student’s success in school even as early as kindergarten. We know that too many absences/tardies, for whatever reason, can cause children to fall behind both academically and socially.
To help ensure healthy habits consult with your health care provider regarding well-visits and immunizations, as well as maintain good hygiene.
District 196 follows guidance from leading health organizations (i.e. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Minnesota Department of Health, American Academy of Pediatrics) to reduce the spread of communicable disease.
When unsure if your child should attend school, consult with a healthcare provider or contact your school nurse.
Children should stay home from school for the following reasons:
- Fever of 100.4 or higher - can return when fever free for 20 hours without fever reducing medication.
- Strep throat - can return after 12 hours of antibiotics and fever free for 20 hours without fever reducing medication.
- Vomiting or diarrhea (without a known reason) - can return 20 hours after last episode.
- Rash (without a known reason) with behavior change or fever of 100.4 or greater.
- Excessive coughing that persists and makes it difficult to participate in school.
- Not healthy enough to participate in routine school activities.
If a child becomes ill at school and needs to go home:
- The school nurse will call guardians listed in the child’s Infinite Campus record. Please update your contact information as needed, including emergency contacts.
- Students who are ill need to be picked up as soon as possible to prevent the spread of illness.
Guidance on other common health issues:
Pink eye guidance (conjunctivitis)
- There is no exclusion for pink eye unless the child has a fever of 100.4 or higher and/or is not healthy enough to participate in school activities (consult a health care provider for eye pain or reduced/blurry vision/recent eye trauma).
Head lice guidance (pediculus humanus capitis)
- There are no notifications sent home or exclusions from school for head lice.
- Head lice is a common occurrence, is not related to personal cleanliness and has not been shown to spread at school.
- Parents/guardians are encouraged to regularly monitor for lice.
- If live lice are found at school, resources for treatment will be shared with parents/guardians.
Guidance on air quality and outdoor activity:
District 196 follows the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Air Quality and Outdoor Activity Guidance for Schools to determine adjustments needed. The CDC recommends that children get 60 or more minutes of physical activity each day. School administrators will work with their building nurse to:
- Reduce risk by modifying activities based on the EPA guidance
- Educate students and staff about risks and symptoms to watch for
- Be proactive in identifying individuals that could benefit from medication prior to activity when ordered, and
- Quickly identify those experiencing symptoms so they can receive first aid treatment.
Community Clinics
We are fortunate to have two community health clinics in Dakota County to support children and families who are in need of minor and routine health care services. Please see the links below if you are looking for routine physicals, sports or camp physicals, initial mental health screenings, and other basic health care needs. All families welcome regardless of insurance status.
- Diamondhead Clinic (Eagan, Burnsville and Savage)
- Dakota Child and Family Clinic (Dakota County)
Emergency Contact Information
Emergency contact information is to be filled out every year on each student you have enrolled in the building. The Emergency contact data can be easily accessed on the School View/Fee Pay system under "Student info". The link to this system is located on the SES website. Please complete the required student information and remember to indicate if you are giving permission for your student to take Tylenol or Ibuprofen at school. Changes to your students health record can also be made this way, on this system. Please don’t forget to hit the "Submit request" button at the bottom of the page after you have made any changes or requests.
Please be aware of the medication permission section, as well as the school medication policy, noting the options and restrictions and then indicate what medication privileges your student may have. Without this section checked or the card signed, your student may not receive any non prescription medications at school.
Non Prescription Pain Medication
Non-prescription pain medication (Tylenol, Ibuprofen, Aleve) can be carried and self-administered by students if the emergency card is signed electronically by a parent/guardian and the student abides by the district’s policy. These medications must be carried in their original containers. NO baggies please.
Other Non-prescription medications (allergy, cold or migraine medication) must be brought to the Nurse’s office with a note from the parent instructing the nurse how and when to administer the medication to the student. They can be kept in the Nurse’s office for 1 school year. Students may not share medications with others.
Generic Tylenol and Ibuprofen are available from the Nurse when the student has a current, electronically signed emergency card on file with the school. This form can be filled out via School View Fee Pay. State regulations prohibit schools from dispensing any medication without written permission from the parent or legal guardian.
Prescription Medication
To ensure students receive needed medication and that it is not misused, the school district has developed rules for the administration of medication in school. Please note the following points:
All medication must be kept in the school nurse’s office and must be administered by the school nurse or other appropriate school personnel unless there is authorization on file with the health office.
Medical guidelines:
- A completed Prescription Medication Authorization Form from a student’s parent or guardian and
- Medication in a prescription bottle or original container is required before a school nurse will give a student prescription or non-prescription medication
- Only FDA approved medications will be administered by school personnel
- Parent consent for non-prescription medications is required
If medication is to be given for more than two weeks, a written order from a physician or dentist must be provided to the school.
If prescription medication remains in the nurse’s office after the end of a school year or when the student is no longer
attending the school, the nurse will contact the student’s parent or guardian to pick up the medication. If the
medication is not picked up within one month, it will be destroyed. With parent permission, epi pens, inhalers, and insulin can be sent home with the student at the end of the school year.
Required Immunizations
State Law requires all students entering 12th grade to receive a booster dose of the Meningococcal vaccine by the first day of school. Parents may file for medical exemption with either a signed statement from a health care provider or conscientious objection signed by the parent/guardian and notarized.
For Intensive Theme travel please allow plenty of time to work with your medical provider to get the vaccinations your students needs. For questions on required vaccines please reference your trip information, your medical provider or the travel immunization clinic.