The function of the school nurse is health promotion through assessment, counseling, education, and minor first aid; however, the nurse cannot diagnose and / or treat.

The nurse must be made aware of any student with a chronic or serious illness.  A medical statement describing the condition should be provided by the parent / legal guardian for the student's confidential school health record. 

To be admitted to the Clinic, a student must have a written permit from the teacher whose class the student is missing.

A student may come to the Clinic during lunch with a permit.

Each student must sign in and out on the daily register when coming to the Clinic.

Any student who whishes to leave school because of illness must come through the Clinic and sign out in the Attendance Office.

A parent or responsible adult must be notified before the student is dismissed from school because of illness.

Students may not stay in school with any of the following conditions:

• Fever of 100.4 or higher

• Suspected contagious condition

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Undetermined rash

The parent is to pick up the student from the Clinic as quickly as possible after being notified. 

Students who call their parents to pick them up before they come to the Clinic will be sent to the appropriate Assistant Principal for permission to go home.  Student who go home without a permit from the nurse will be considered truant and subject to disciplinary action.

Special permits to leave class early for health reasons must be secured from the school nurse.  The student must return to the Clinic for renewal if the permit is required after the expiration date.

All medical excuses for Physical Education restrictions must originate with the school nurse.

Medications
The policy of the Board of Education does not authorize Houston school personnel to give medication of any kind.  That includes aspirin, similar preparation, or any other drugs. Nurses and other school personnel, however, can give medication during school hours under the following restrictions.  Pupils who are non-contagious, on long-term medication, on preventive medication, or for a prolonged period on medication that cannot under any arrangement be administered other than during school hours may take medication in school.

Should it be medically necessary for a student to take long-term medication at school, an HISD form must be completed by the student's physician and kept on file in the Clinic.  The physician's statement must be accompanied by written permission of at least one parent.

The medication is then kept i the Clinic and administered by the school nurse.  No medication (prescription or non-prescription) will be dispensed without this form on file.  With the required documentation on file in the Clinic, students with asthma may self-administer asthma medication.  All medication kept for students in the Clinic must be in its original container with an affixed prescription label which includes the student's name, the drug name, and the proper dosage and administration information.

Other Health Related Services

Pregnancy Related Services
A teen pregnancy and parenting program designed to provide support services for pregnant students.

Drop-out Recovery and Prevention Outreach Program
A program designed to assist pregnant and parenting students as they seek to remain in school or return to school.

Blood Sugar / Glucose Monitoring
A procedure conducted in the clinic with no exceptions.

Homebound Program
A program whereby students who expect to be out of school for at least four consecutive weeks for health reasons as documented by a physician may receive instruction at home.

Eye Care for Kids
A non-profit organization that provides comprehensive eye exams and corrective lenses for children from families that need financial assistance

Texcare Partnership-Chips / Medicaid Application
A health insurance program for Texas children from families with income levels above Medicaid income guidelines but with the inability to afford private insurance.

See the school nurse for applications and / or information on the above services.