The Student Health Services (SHS) Team delivers health services and programs through a team approach utilizing the Registered Nurses and Clinic Assistants in the clinics and School-Based Health Centers. Our Registered Nurses and Clinic Assistants work together to provide care for students and to serve as a resource for all health-related issues. SHS believes optimal learning requires good health. Research shows there is a clear connection between school nursing services and student academic success.

Healthy Children…Learn Better!

 

Health Services Information

The school should be informed if your child has a medical condition or chronic illness, requires assistance with medication, or for any medical procedure or treatment.

When possible, medication should be taken at home, including all non-essential medications such as vitamins, herbals, essential oils, and narcotic pain medications. However, if medication must be taken at school, on a field trip or during a “before or after” school chaperoned activity, parents must provide all medications (prescribed and over-the counter) in accordance with Fulton County Schools Medication Administration Policy and Guidelines.

The parent/legal guardian must complete an authorization and instruction form entitled “AUTHORIZATION TO GIVE MEDICATION AT SCHOOL SHS-1 Form”. For all prescription medications, a healthcare provider must also sign the form. The school cannot give medications without the authorization form. The same form is used for prescription and non-prescription medications. Medication Authorization Forms are valid for one/current school year. A separate form MUST be used for each medication.

If your child has a medical condition such as asthma, a severe allergy or another health-related condition that requires self-administration of medication, or needs to carry an emergency medication (Epipen, Diastat, Inhaler, Glucagon, etc.), or has an approved legitimate reason to carry a medication on his/her person, you must complete and submit to the school clinic an "Authorization for Students to Carry Medication SHS-2 Form". This form must be signed by the healthcare provider, parent and student.

Over-the-Counter (OTC) medications have different requirements. Refer to the annual Health Services Information Letter.

It is the parent or legal guardian’s responsibility to keep the student’s health and contact information (telephone numbers, address, etc.) updated.

By working together, we can strive to ensure the health and well-being of every student so that he/she can benefit from the education program.

 

FAQ:

Is my child too sick for school?

Your child should stay home from school when:

• fever is 100.4 or higher (return to school when fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication
• vomiting
• diarrhea
• frequent cough
• persistent pain (earache, stomachache, headache)
• conjunctivitis (pink eye)- may return 24 hours after starting antibiotic treatment

Need more information? Check out this link from Children's Healthcare of Atlanta

Can a student carry over the counter medications (OTC) in their backpack/lunchbox/purse?

High school students are allowed to carry certain medications with them during the school day, field trips, or other school-related activities. Medications that are allowed are: Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, Antacids, Cough or throat lozenges, Midol, and Oral Antihistamines. Meds should be in their original container/blister pack and should not be expired.

What is required to leave OTC meds in the clinic to be taken "as needed"?

If you would like the clinic to hold your child's non-prescription meds please fill out the SHS-1 form (Authorization to dispense meds) with your signature and the "non-prescription" part of the form filled out. Again, meds should be in their original container/blister pack and not be expired.

What if my child requires antibiotics or other short-term prescription medications?

The SHS-1 form will need to be filled out by both the parent and the prescribing physician. The medicine should be brought to the clinic in the original container. Please make sure the doctor has written frequency and dosage instructions on the form.