Health Services

All children must be immunized against diphtheria, rubeola, rubella, mumps, tetanus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, varicella, pertussis, meningitis and poliomyelitis, to comply with Section  38.001 of the TEC.  We also highly recommend getting a flu shot annually.

These guidelines are posted in the DSHS website at

 https://www.dshs.texas.gov/immunize/

Our local Health Department is located at:

1714 Justice Center Blvd, Suite A

Gainesville, Texas

940-665-9315 ext. 5

Medical Authorization Form (please print)                                                                                           

1.  Only medication which is required to enable a student to stay in school may be given at school.  Parents are encouraged to schedule administration of medication in such a manner that medication brought to school will be kept to a minimum. 

1. All morning medication is to be administered at home, unless requested by the Superintendent. 

1. All medication is to be in the original container. Medications sent in baggies or improperly labeled containers will not be given. 

1. The student is responsible for coming to the office and asking for the medication. 

1. If a prescription medication is to be taken for longer than 10 school days, the parent and physician’s signature is required. The physician must be in the surrounding area. 

1. A medication with instructions to be given “three times a day” must be given at home unless ordered by the physician. In this instance, the parent must present a signed doctor’s order noting specific times for the medication to be administered. 

1. All medication (including non-prescription) must be kept in the nurse’s office.

 Exceptions:

• State law provides that a student with asthma is entitled to possess and self-administer prescription asthma medicine while on school property or at a school-related event or activity if self-administered in compliance with written instruction from the student’s physician. A parent of the student must provide the school a written, signed authorization for the student to self-administer prescription asthma medicine together with a written, signed statement from the student’s physician with specific instructions as to the dosage, times, and use of the medication. GISD has a form which can be obtained from the school nurse or office.
• If medication is needed for transportation purposes, additional medication will be required from the parent. 

1. If an FDA approved medication is brought to school and has not gone through the above processes, it will not be given and sent back home. 

1. The RN has the authority to refuse to administer medication, which the RN believes is not in the best interest of the patient. (217.11 (1a) Standards of Nursing Practice)

Spanish:

Reglas Para Medicamentos 

1. Sólo los medicamentos que se requiere para que un estudiante para permanecer en la escuela se puede dar en la escuela. Los padres son animados a la administración de la medicación horario de tal manera que los medicamentos traídos a la escuela se mantiene al mínimo. 

2. Todos los medicamentos de la mañana se va a administrar en casa. 

3. Todos los medicamentos es estar en el envase original. No se les da medicamentos enviadas en bolsas o recipientes etiquetados incorrectamente. 

4. El estudiante es responsable por venir a la oficina y pedir la medicación. 

5. Si un medicamento de prescripción debe ser tomada por más de 10 días escolares, se requiere que el padre y la firma del médico. El médico debe         estar en el área circundante. 

6. Un medicamento con la instrucción que debe darse " tres veces al día " se debe dar en casa a menos ordenado por el médico. En este caso, el padre       debe presentar una orden médica firmada señalando momentos específicos para la medicación que se administra. 

7. Todos los medicamentos (incluyendo sin receta) debe mantenerse en la oficina de la enfermera. 

Excepciones:

A.   La ley estatal establece que un estudiante con asma tiene derecho a poseer y medicamentos para el asma recetados auto administrarse mientras que en la propiedad escolar o en un evento o actividad relacionada con la escuela si auto administrado en cumplimiento de instrucciones por escrito del médico del estudiante. Los padres deben proveer a la escuela una autorización firmada para que el estudiante  pueda auto administrar el medicamento para el asma, junto con una declaración escrita y firmada por el médico del estudiante con instrucciones específicas en cuanto a la dosis, los tiempos y el uso del medicamento. Estos formularios están disponibles a través de la enfermera de la escuela.

B.   Si medicamento es necesario para propósitos de trasportación, medicación adicional se requerirá de los padres.  

8. Si un medicamento aprobado por FDA es traído a la escuela y no ha pasado por el proceso mencionado arriba, no será administrado y será regresado a casa.   

9. La enfermera tiene la autoridad de negar la administración de medicamentos, si la enfermera cree que no es en el mejor interés del estudiante. (217.11 (1ª) Normas de la Práctica de Enfermería)

According to Gainesville ISD policy if your child has fever or is sent home from school with fever, the child must be fever free without medication for 24 hours before returning to school. If you have any questions or concerns, please call your school nurse.

Gainesville ISD reglas indicant que sis u nino tiene fiebre o se le mandamus a su nino a casa de escuela con f iebre, el nino debe ser libremente de fiebre sin la medicacion por 24 horas antes de volver a la escuela. Si usted tiene algunas preguntas o preocupaciones, llame por favor a su enfermera de la escuela.

Unassigned Epipen notice - English

Unassigned Epipen Notice - Spanish

Communicable Disease Exclusion Letter - english

Communicable Disease Exclusion Letter -spanish

Vision & Hearing

The Special Senses and Communication Disorders Act became effective in 1984. GISD adheres to the mandate. Grades mandated for vision and hearing screening are Head Start, Pre K, K 1^st, 3^rd, 5^th, and 7^th grades. New students who enter GISD will be screened within 120 days of enrollment. Also, screening will be done upon teacher/parent request.

Scoliosis Screening

State law requires female students to be screened for scoliosis fall of 5th and 7th grade; boys fall of 8th grade.  School nurses will follow the Department of State Health Services guidelines for the screening.

Acanthosis Nigricans

Acanthosis Nigricans screening is required for 1^st, 3^rd, 5^th, and 7^th grades.  This screenings is done by looking at the back of the students neck.

Acanthosis Nigricans is a light-brown to black, velvety, rough or thickened lesion on the surface of the skin. It is usually found around the neck, axillae and over the knuckles. Acanthosis Nigricans can be a primary marker that may signal high insulin levels, which can lead to insulin resistance and may develop into type 2 diabetes.

*Referrals will be made when appropriate with adequate follow-up to document student’s who receive medical evaluation and/or treatment.  

Seizure Management and Treatment Form

Senate Bill (SB) 1506, 88th Texas Legislature, 2023, amended Texas Education Code (TEC) §38.032 requiring TEA to adopt and post a form on the agency’s website to be used in submitting a seizure management and treatment plan to a student’s school that includes a specific list of information and the signatures of the student’s parent or guardian and the physician responsible for the seizure treatment.   

This change in law only applies to a seizure management and treatment plan submitted to a school district or open-enrollment charter school on or after January 1, 2024.

• TEA Seizure Management Treatment Form (Spanish) (PDF)
• TEA Seizure Management Treatment Form (PDF) (updated February 1, 2024)

Head lice Policy and guidelines

Head lice  (pediculosis) is an infestation of the hair  with adult lice, nymphs, and nits (eggs), which results in severe itching or excoriation (abrasion) of the scalp, or both.

Anyone can get head lice. They are not a sign of being dirty and should not be considered a sign of an unclean house. Head lice are easily spread from person to person by direct contact and are often found in school settings.  Head lice do not spread disease.

Head lice are tiny insects, about 1/10-1/8 of an inch long) inch long that live in human hair and feed on human blood. They multiply rapidly, laying little silvery-colored oval-shaped eggs (called nits) that they glue to the base of the hair close to the scalp.  Although it is hard to see head lice, a person can see the nits if they look closely.  Nits are most often found in the hair behind the ears and at the back of the head and neck.  Nits should not be confused with dandruff. Dandruff can easily be flicked off the hair; nits cannot because they are firmly attached to individual hairs. 

One telltale sign of head lice is a persistent itching of the scalp, which is caused by the bite of the louse, and that is sometimes accompanied by infected scratch marks or what appear to be a rash. A secondary bacterial infection can occur, causing oozing or crusting.  Swollen neck glands may also develop.

Head lice need human blood to survive.  They are transmitted through direct contact with an infested person or with shared items, such as combs, brushes, towels, pillowcases, hats, headphones, other headgear, and clothing.

Treatment

The Texas Department of State Health Services recommends the following treatment for head lice and nits:

1. Use an FDA-approved pediculicide shampoo/treatment.  Follow the directions on the packaging exactly.  Consult with a pharmacist or doctor regarding proper and safe used, possible side effects, etc.
2. Remove as many nits as possible with a nit comb (available at pharmacies or provided with pediculicide).
3. Household treatment should be done simultaneously and should include soaking combs and brushes in pediculicide for 1 hour or in 120 degree water for 5-10 minutes. Bedding should be washed in 120 degree water. Non-washable items may be sealed in a plastic bag for 1 week or dry-cleaned.  Furniture, carpets, and mattresses should be vacuumed thoroughly.
4. Treatment of hair should be repeated in 7 days (follow the manufacturer of the pediculicide’s instructions) to ensure that if any nits have hatched, the lice are killed before they lay eggs.

*It is important that all of these steps be taken on the same day to prevent a return of the problem.

 Spanish:

Carta de Información Para Piojos

 Los piojos (pediculosis) es una infestación de piojos adultos  del cabello, ninfas y liendres (huevos), lo que resulta en picazón severa o excoriación (abrasión) del cuero cabelludo, o ambos. Cualquiera puede tener piojos. No son un signo de ser sucio y no deben considerarse como un signo de una casa sucia. Los piojos se propagan fácilmente de persona a persona por contacto directo y se encuentran a menudo en el entorno escolar. Los piojos no transmiten enfermedades. Los piojos son insectos muy pequeños (aproximadamente 1 / 10-1 / 8 de pulgada de largo) que viven en el cabello humano y se alimentan de sangre humana. Se multiplican rápidamente, por lo que dejan pequeños huevos de color plateado con forma ovalada (llamados liendres) que se pegan a la base del pelo cerca del cuero cabelludo. Aunque es difícil de ver piojos en la cabeza, una persona puede ver las liendres si se ven de cerca. Las liendres se encuentran con mayor frecuencia en el cabello detrás de las orejas y en la parte posterior de la cabeza y el cuello. Las liendres no se deben confundir con la caspa. La caspa puede ser fácilmente parpadeo de los cabellos, las liendres no pueden porque están firmemente unidos a los pelos individuales. Un signo revelador de piojos de la cabeza es un picor persistente del cuero cabelludo, que es causada por la picadura del piojo, y que a veces se acompaña de marcas de arañazos infectados o con lo que parecen ser una erupción. Una infección bacteriana secundaria puede ocurrir, causando supuración o costras. Glándulas del cuello hinchadas pueden desarrollar. Los piojos necesitan sangre humana para sobrevivir. Se transmiten a través del contacto directo con una persona infectada o con objetos compartidos, tales como peines, cepillos, toallas, fundas de almohadas, sombreros, auriculares, demás tocados, y prendas de vestir. 

GISD continues to be proactive in addressing the issue of staph infections.  Staphylococcus aureus, or staph, is a common germ that many people carry in their nasal passages or on their skin with no ill effects.  Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a type of staph that has developed antibiotic resistance (certain antibiotics are unable to kill the bacteria). 

Staph infections begin abruptly. Symptoms may include a large area of redness on the skin, swelling and pain, followed by a pustule, abscess, boil or carbuncle (red, lumpy sores filled with pus).  If left untreated, staph can infect blood and bones, causing severe illness that requires hospitalization.

We encourage you to be observant of signs and symptoms of staph infection. If you or any family members have any of the symptoms described above, you are encouraged to contact your family doctor.

The Texas Department of State Health Services has provided guidelines and procedures to assist you with the prevention and spread of MRSA.  Additional information which includes pictures about staph and MRSA can be found at http://www.mrsaTexas.org/.  Please contact your school nurse if you have questions.

 How do I get MRSA and how is it spread?

• Any activity that causes a break in the skin.
• Any injury, poor health, using or sharing dirty items.
• MRSA can spread among people having close contact with people who already have MRSA.  .
• It is spread by direct physical contact such as touching objects (sheets, clothes, towels, dirty dressings, workout areas, and sports equipment). 

How Can I stop the spread of infections?

• Encourage frequent hand washing with soap and warm water.
• Use alcohol hand gel (in all GISD classrooms) when soap and water are not available..
• Encourage students to keep their fingernails clean and clipped short.
• Avoid contact with other people’s infections or anything contaminated by an infection.
• Avoid sharing personal items such as razors, towels, deodorant, make-up, or soap that directly touches the body.
• Clean and disinfect objects (such as gym and sports equipment) before use.
• Wash dirty clothes, linens, and towels with hot water and laundry detergent. Using a hot dryer rather than air-drying also helps kill bacteria.
• Encourage students who participate in contact sports to shower immediately after each practice, game, or match.
• Keep open or draining sores and lesions clean and covered. Anyone assisting with infection care should wear gloves and wash their hands with soap and water Before and After bandage changes.

Asthma Action Plan 

Students diagnosed with asthma should be under the care of a doctor to determine treatment, medication, and modifications if necessary.  Students will require an Asthma Action Plan (form enclosed).  

If a rescue inhaler is needed while on school property or school related event the requirements are: 

• Asthma Action Plan form on file signed by your physician (form enclosed)
• Student can possess and self-administer if an Asthma Action Plan form is filed in the nurses office stating you are developmentally capable of doing so
• Quick-Relief inhalers only are allowed at school such as: Albuterol (Proventil or Ventolin) or Xopenex

Steroid inhalers are not to be carried or administered at school. 

Nebulizer Treatments can be administered at school only if: (Temporarily unavailable related to COVID protocols)

• Required paperwork with doctors signature is filed with the school nurse
• Medication is properly labeled with the students prescription on the box
• Nebulizer & tubing provided by student.  Some campuses have a Nebulizer students can use but tubing must be provided by student.  Ask your School Nurse if a nebulizer is available.

911 will be called if: 

• No improvement within 15 minutes or 5 minutes if no nurse is available and relatives can’t be reached
• Student is quickly getting worse

Physician Authorization for Health Procedures 

If a specialized health care procedure is to be performed during school hours the above authorization is required to be completed by the prescribing physician.  Any medical supplies needed are to be provided by the family.

WHAT IS MENINGITIS?

Meningitis is an inflammation of the covering of the brain and spinal cord.  It can be caused by viruses, parasites, fungi, and bacteria. Viral meningitis is most common and the least serious. Meningitis caused by bacteria is the most likely form of the disease to cause serious, long-term complications. It is an uncommon disease but requires urgent treatment with antibiotics to prevent permanent damage or death.

Bacterial meningitis can be caused by multiple organisms. Two common types are Streptococcus pneumoniae, with over 80 serogroups that can cause illness, and Neisseria meningitidis, with 5 serogroups that most commonly cause meningitis.