Orleans Central Supervisory Union
SCHOOL HEALTH SERVICES
School Health Services
We work to assure that students' health issues don't interfere with their success.
Health Screenings
The Vermont Agencies of Health and Education now recommend that students be screened for hearing in grades K, 1, 3, and 5; and for vision in grades K, 1, 3, 5 , 7, 9 and 12. We screen students in other grades when requested by staff or parents. If it is determined that a student needs further evaluation, a referral will be sent home to the parent.
Screening for height, weight, blood pressure and scoliosis are no longer recommended. The reason for this change is that children should receive a well-child check (a.k.a. physical) every year which includes those screenings.
Chronic Illness Management
Asthma, diabetes, life-threatening allergies, seizure disorders, migraine headaches, and other chronic illnesses and conditions can present many challenges to students in school. The school nurse has the skills and knowledge necessary to help ensure that school is a safe place for all students and chronic illnesses are not an obstacle to participation in the school community.
Our nurses help students manage chronic illness by providing treatments, administering medications, etc. We also support students by educating staff, contributing to IEPs and 504 plans, creating Individual Healthcare Plans (IHPs) and emergency plans, and acting as a liaison between the school and the student's physician or health care provider.
Illness and Injury
Please do not send a sick child to school. If your child was vomiting or running a fever during the night, please keep him/her home the next day, even if he/she is feeling better that morning. This gives your son/daughter the opportunity to recover and reduces the likelihood of his/her classmates coming down with the same illness.
We provide first aid and comfort measures in the health office for minor injuries and illness. If your child becomes more seriously ill or sustains a significant injury at school, we will notify you as soon as possible at the phone number(s) you have given us. If we are unable to contact you, we will notify the person(s) you indicated as your emergency contact.
No student will be dismissed from school unless a parent/guardian, relative or emergency contact is reached and transportation arrangements can be made.
In an emergency, we will not hesistate to call EMS (911).
Medications and Treatments
Ideally medications and treatments are done at home, but when that is not possible our nurses or, if necessary, a trained staff member, will administer them as described in OCSU's medication policy and procedure:
For over-the-counter medications, a written and signed request from the parent is needed. For prescription medications and treatments, an order from the student's physician or health care provider must accompany the parent's request. If any changes in the medication or dosage are needed, a new request/order will be required.
“Pediculosis represents one of the most common communicable childhood diseases, and whether or not we understand how this has evolved, it is important to acknowledge head lice as a problem when raising or caring for children. We can begin to improve the current situation by assuring that the health programs of every school, camp and child care facility operate with an acceptable head lice management protocol” …
The National Pediculosis Association, 1983
OCSU’s Head Lice Policy was established to encourage each family to do its part at home to help prevent head lice outbreaks in the community. In addition to community education and temporary exclusion of students until all lice and nits are removed, our three-pronged approach includes school-wide head checks at the beginning of the school year and after school breaks such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, winter and spring vacation.
National organizations have conflicting recommendations regarding school head lice management plans. OCSU schools follow those of the National Pediculosis Association, a non-profit organization dedicated to the prevention and safe treatment of head lice. We have successfully followed their guidance for well over 20 years.
For more information about the National Pediculosis Association visit their website at:
For more information about OCSU's head lice management policy and procedure:
Wellness Promotion
School Health Services are not only about illness and injury in school but also about promoting wellness and safety within the school community.
We are members of school wellness and disaster preparedness committees. We help teach puberty and other parts of the health curriculum. We create bulletin boards and contribute health related articles to school newsletters and websites.
When we treat individual students' and staff injuries and illnesses, we talk about how to prevent infection and promote healing and comfort. We talk about the importance of eating good foods and how drinking enough fluids and getting enough sleep help our bodies fight infection. We provide guidance on when signs and symptoms indicate it is time to contact the doctor or go to the emergency room.
Head Lice (Pediculosis) Screening
