I.    PURPOSE

The fundamental purpose of the School Health Service Program is to aid parents/guardians in protecting, improving and maintaining the health of their students. While parents/guardians have the primary and ultimate responsibility for their student’s health, the School Health Service Program will assist parents/guardians in fulfilling their responsibility, and to assist students in developing competence to deal with the health issues they will face during their school years and in the future. The District is responsible for developing objectives and procedures to ensure the accomplishment of the School Health Service Program.

II.    GENERAL STATEMENT OF POLICY

The School Health Services Program functions to facilitate and strengthen the educational process by improving and protecting the health status of students, by motivating students and families to seek and maintain optimum health and to assist in removing or modifying health related barriers to learning. A partnership between the health services and educational programs is essential to promote the wellness of students, their families, school personnel and the community.

A three part School Health Service Program, consisting of health services, health instruction, and a healthful school environment, has been designed to implement the above-stated philosophy. Other important educational programs that support and complement the traditional School Health Program are physical education, nutrition education, the Food and Nutrition Services Program, counseling, and community wellness programs. The Coordinator of Health Services, other licensed school nurses, and health paraprofessionals are responsible for health services; classroom teachers and specialists for health instruction; and all district personnel for providing a healthful school environment.

III.    PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

1. Develop and maintain a system of care for normal and acute illness, care for first aid and emergencies, and mental health conditions.
    
2. Develop and maintain a health screening, assessment, and referral process which identifies conditions in their incipient stages and follows through so that they may be corrected.
    
3. Assess and recommend school safety and injury prevention measures and promote a healthful school environment.
    
4. Promote and maintain optimal health and well being of students, families, and school personnel by health teaching and counseling.
    
5. Assess the impact of health issues on students with learning difficulties and implement individual health plans for the education and care of students with chronic health conditions or disabilities, including health vulnerable or medically fragile students with complex health needs.
    
6. Prevent and control communicable diseases by teaching and reinforcing universal precautions thereby protecting the well being of students and staff.
    
7. Administer medications to students in accordance with School Health Service guidelines, Minn. Stat. 121A.22, and Minnesota Department of Health guidelines when the medication has been prescribed to enable the student to remain in school, or to maintain or improve health status and/or improve the potential for learning.
    

IV.    LIMITATIONS OF THE SCHOOL HEALTH SERVICES PROGRAM

1. School Health Services personnel will maintain responsibility for the School Health Services Program within the parameters of the Nurse Practice Act.
    
2. School personnel do not recommend specific individuals or professional groups for any form of health service. Rather, they are to acquaint students and their parents/guardians with available health facilities and the services provided by each.